This coming Saturday, 20-year-old Saul “El Canelo” Alvarez makes the first defense of his WBC jr. middleweight title against the UK’s Ryan Rhodes.
Coming off the 46-year-old Bernard Hopkins’ recent title winning effort, here’s the flip side – a look at the top 10 underage stars in the sport.
1) Saul Alvarez? Age: 20, Record 36-0-1, 26 KOs
Mexico’s young superstar can’t legally drink in most states, but he already holds a recognized world title and has fought former world champions in two of his last three contests while selling out stadiums throughout Mexico. In his most recent contest, Alvarez beat veteran Matthew Hatton in front of a sold out Staples Center in Los Angeles. “El Canelo” also boasts wins over Carlos Baldomir, Lovemore N’dou, and Jose Cotto.
2) Jason Pagara? Age: 18, Record: 27-1, 16 KOs
The Filipino prodigy already owns the WBO Asia Pacific Youth light welterweight title, winning the vacant strap against Tanzania’s Deo Nijku. Unlike many young prospects, Pagara is facing quality veteran fighters on the Asian scene, his last seven opponents sporting a 120-30-9 record. He is also a former WBO Asia Pacific Youth lightweight champ.
3) Jose Benavidez Jr.? Age: 19, Record: 12-0, 11 KOs
With an impressive amateur career mark of 120-5, this underage star already fights like a 30-fight professional. Promoter, Top Rank is matching their future jr. welterweight star against other young fighters on high profile cards. Benavidez is considered by many as a “can’t miss” prospect.
4) Frankie Gomez? Age: 19, Record: 9-0, 7 KOs
The highly decorated amateur star from East Los Angeles already fights like a pro, but is being brought up slowly by promoter, Golden Boy. With four wins over veteran journeymen already, Gomez seems on the verge of taking that next step up in class.
5) Carlos Buitrago? Age: 19, Record: 18-0, 13 KOs
Already the winner of several youth and regional championships, the native of Managua, Nicaragua is already considered a fringe contender in the minimumweight division of 105 lbs. His biggest win to date is a TKO 2 victory over former world title challenger, Eddy Castro.
6) Luis Ceja? Age: 20, Record: 18-1-3, 15 KOs
This Mexican jr. flyweight scored his biggest win to date last November as he bested former world title challenger, Ronald Ramos for the vacant WBC FECARBOX light flyweight title. In his last bout, the underage battler beat tough countryman, Omar Rosales.
7) Hylon Williams Jr.? Age: 20, Record: 14-0, 3 KOs
The Las Vegas lightweght prospect is coming from a well-regarded amateur career and has shown class as a professional. Still battling on the club circuit, Williams has displayed top level skills.
8) Tomoki Kameda? Age: 19, Record: 19-0, 12 KOs
The younger brother in the famous Japanese Kameda family, Tomoki recently won the NABF bantamweight title and has bested fellow-prospects, Stephane Jamoye and Nathan Bolcio.
9) Gilberto Ramirez Sanchez? Age: 19, Record: 17-0, 15 KOs
The native of Sinaloa, Mexico captured the vacant WBC Youth Middleweight title at the end of last year with an impressive TKO 6 win over undefeated Rogelio Medina. Sanchez remains on the tough Mexican club circuit, but has already beaten several tough veterans.
10) Marlon Tapales? Age: 19, Record: 17-1, 5 KOs
This Filipino super flyweight has already won a regional title in his home country while maintaining a steady fight schedule against veteran club fighters. Tapales, in his last fight, made his US debut, winning a majority decision against Alejandro Solorio.
Paul Magno is a licensed official in the state of Michoacan, Mexico and a close follower of the sport for more than thirty years. His work can also be found on Fox Sports and The Boxing Tribune. In the past, Paul has done work for Inside Fights, The Queensberry Rules and Eastside Boxing.
Sources:
Boxrec, Boxrec Stats and Info, Boxrec
