Part Two of this piece will focus on such topics as the biggest rip-offs of 2006, as well as who emerged and who sank in 20’06. Again, let’s keep in mind that there are still two months left in the year, so some of these could change or new moments could be added. Here’s a look at some of the low and highlights of 2006.
BIGGEST RIP-OFFS OF 2006
Corrales-Castillo 3- Fight fans were robbed of a rubber match to one of the best trilogies in modern times when Castillo failed to make weight, and even failed to cheat to make weight. The main event was cancelled just one day before it was supposed to take place. Instead of history being made, lawsuits and harsh words from both sides followed.
Barrera-Juarez I- In what was supposed to be an easier fight for Barrera, the younger Juarez took it to him, but lost a close decision. Outrage followed by a scorecard controversy, left a solid fight marred.
Jhonny Gonzalez-Fernando Montiel- A very promising fight between two of the best bantamweights around, turned into a snooze fest. At best both fighters waited till the end of rounds to do anything, and left the crowd raining boos.
Ike Quartey-Vernon Forrest- This was one of the most disputed decisions of the year. While many felt Quartey was the busier and more accurate fighter, the judges didn’t, leaving the HBO commentators and many fans outraged.
James Toney-Samuel Peter- What was supposed to be a slug fest turned into a fight marred by foul play with Peter winning a tight decision that many felt Toney should have won.
THE FIGHTERS THAT 2006 FORGOT ABOUT…
1. Antonio Margarito- Margarito went another year without getting a big fight. His only fight of the year was a one round demolition of Manuel Gomez. The big fight(s) continued to elude Margarito in ’06.
2. Miguel Cotto- Cotto was in some good fights, but couldn’t land a huge fight. Possible matches with Floyd Mayweather, Ricky Hatton and Arturo Gatti fell through, and Cotto had to settle on Gianluca Branco and Paul Malignaggi.
3. Glen Johnson- Had an impressive win over Richard Hall, but was forgotten about by Antonio Tarver and even Clinton Woods. After a huge 2005, Johnson failed to land a big fight in 2006.
4. Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.- Another year passes, and Chavez Jr. still hasn’t fought a marquee name. While Junior has over 30 fights on his ledger, he has still failed to make a step up at all.
5. Arthur Abraham- ’06 was a big year for Abraham, he won a version of the middleweight title. But, the big fights eluded him, mainly Jermain Taylor.
6. Humberto Soto- After shocking Rocky Juarez and taking his title in 2005, Soto continued to destroy whomever was put in front of him. But, he was still unable to land a big fight in ’06.
7. Juan Diaz- The lightweight champion seemed on the brink of a mega fight in ’06, but injuries and other obstacles kept him from landing a huge fight in ’06.
8. Jose Rivera- The welterweight champ seemed to be avoided like the plague in 2006. There were rumors of possible fights against De La Hoya, Margarito or Mosley, but all fell through.
FIGHTERS WHO EMERGED IN 2006
1. Chad Dawson- Dawson annihilated Eric Harding and Anthony Bonsante and may be the best American at 168 lbs. Jeff Lacy reportedly turned down a fight with Dawson. Dawson may be in line for a shot at Kessler or Calzaghe in 2007, if he doesn’t move up to the 175-pound division.
2. Paul Williams- The super tall welterweight continued to impress in ’06. He emerged as one of the brightest prospects around with impressive wins over previously unbeaten Walter Dario Matthyse, and Sharmba Mitchell.
3. Peter Manfredo Jr.- Manfredo showed he may be more than just a contender. He dismantled well know Scott Pemberton, and further demolished fellow prospect Joey Spina. Manfredo should be included in the title mix at 168 lbs.
4. Chris John- John shocked many and showed he was for real when he defeated Juan Manuel Marquez. The 38-0 WBA featherweight champion could be headed to another big fight in 2007.
5. Joan Guzman- Guzman went from prospect to WBO titlist in ’06 with wins over Javier ‘Chatito’ Jauregui and Jorge ‘La Hiena’ Barrios.
6. Arthur Abraham- Abraham showed he’s a force in the middleweight division, claiming the IBF belt with a win over Edison Miranda.
7. Kassim Ouma- Ouma re-emerged with wins over Marco Antonio Rubio and highly touted Sechew Powell, and has a title shot lined up later this year against Jermain Taylor.
8. Andre Berto- The Haitian Olympian has emerged as one of the best prospects in Boxing, compiling a 14-0 record and going 5-0 in ’06 with 5 KOs.
9. Edwin Valero- Valero is a mythical figure in North America. The Venezuelan is banned from fighting in North America due to reported brain damage, however, he is 20-0 fighting overseas, including a win over Vicente Mosquera, to claim the WBA super featherweight title.
10. David Diaz- Diaz emerged as a star when he upset Jose Armando Santa Cruz. He is now in line to challenge Joel Casamayor for the WBC lightweight title.
Honorable Mention- Anthony Dirrell, Grady Brewer, John Duddy, and Joachim Alcine.
THOSE WHO SANK IN 2006
1. Zab Judah- Zab came off a solid 2005, but started off the new year with an embarrassing loss in his hometown to little known Carlos Baldomir. Luckily for him it didn’t mess up his big fight with Floyd Mayweather, which Judah went on to lose too.
2. Antonio Tarver- Besides appearing in the new Rocky movie to be released during the Christmas season, 2006 was a tough year. Tarver was embarrassed and lost his titles to a 40-year old Bernard Hopkins, who was best known as middleweight champion. After the loss Tarver plummeted from pound for pound rankings.
3. Fernando Vargas- The new, slick boxing Fernando Vargas never came to fruition in 2006. First, Vargas lost to Shane Mosley by TKO, but was further embarrassed in a rematch which Mosley dominated en route to a 5th round KO. Vargas looked slow and haggard in his last fight, like his previous wars had finally taken a toll.
4. Jeff Lacy- In his first mega fight, Lacy was embarrassed and exposed by Joe Calzaghe. This fight was supposed to elevate Lacy to the throne atop the super middleweight ladder. Lacy was talked up as one of the more dominant young fighters in the game. Now he has lost his promoter and his invincibility. Hopefully for Lacy he can learn from the loss and come back strong, because he’s still very young.
5. Jose Luis Castillo- Castillo embarrassingly failed to make weight for what was supposed to be his third epic fight with Diego Corrales. This after missing the contracted weight in the second fight. Castillo has not fought since, and his reputation has been damaged.
6. Diego Corrales- A very rough ’06 for Chico. First, his third fight with Jose Luis Castillo was cancelled the day prior due to Castillo not making weight. After plenty of Castillo bad mouthing, Corrales goes out and does the same thing in his next bout against Joel Casamayor. His failure to make weight cost him his WBC strap. To make matters worse, Corrales lost the fight to Casamayor.
7. Stevie Johnston- The former pound for pounder and junior lightweight champion looked like a shell of his former self in July. Father Time caught up with Johnston, who looked bad in losing to Vivian Harris in upsetting fashion.
8. Sharmba Mitchell- Mitchell went from former champion to stepping stone fighter when he was destroyed by Paul Williams in August.
9. Juan Manuel Marquez- After having fights with Manny Pacquiao and Marco Antonio Barrera fall through, Marquez travels to Indonesia to face WBA titlist Chris John, and loses a decision. After the loss and his fight making disputes, Marquez’s stock has dropped considerably.
10. Roy Jones Jr.- Instead of retiring, Roy chose to make a comeback fight against Prince Badi Ajamu in Boise, Idaho. It was sad to see a former invincible fighter fighting in front of a half-empty arena in Boise, against a no name like Ajamu.
Honorable Mention- Audley Harrison, Jean-Marc Mormeck
THOSE WHO PROVED THEY WEREN’T QUITE READY FOR THE BIG TIME IN 2006
1. Jeff Lacy- Lacy stepped into his first mega fight and got exposed and embarrassed. Fans saw that Lacy needs a little more seasoning before fighting another superstar caliber fighter.
2. Joel Julio- Julio was being hailed as the next big ‘star,’ a can’t miss prospect. He then went out and got upset by relatively unknown Carlos Quintana.
3. Sechew Powell- Powell was being hailed as the next contender to the middleweight throne until he ran into Kassim Ouma. Ouma showed that Powell wasn’t quite ready for the big time yet.
4. Jose Armando Santa Cruz- Some were talking of Santa Cruz as the next lightweight champ until he got upended hard by David Diaz.
5. Andre Ward and Andre Dirrell- The only U.S. medalists from the 2004 Olympic Games. Both stayed unbeaten, but both have looked flawed at times. They have been dropped a few times, and don’t appear to be jumping on to the scene in the pro ranks.
THOSE WHO STAYED ON TOP IN 2006
1. Floyd Mayweather- Floyd continued his reign as pound for pound king with a nice win over Zab Judah. He has a November date with Carlos Baldomir for the welterweight title.
2. Israel Vazquez- After ending 2005 with a bang by defeating Oscar Larios to become the undisputed super bantamweight champion, Vazquez continued his reign with wins over big names like Ivan Hernandez, and red hot Jhonny Gonzalez.
3. Manny Pacquiao- Pacman stayed on top as an exciting commodity with solid wins over Erik Morales and Oscar Larios. He can further solidify a good year with another win over Morales in November.
4. Jorge Arce- Arce continued to be one of the more exciting fighters in the flyweight divisions with devastating wins over Rosendo Alvarez and Hawk Makepula. Hopefully 2007 will bring him a date with Vic Darchinyan.
5. Vic Darchinyan- Darchinyan kept his IBF belt through ’06, and continued to impress even more throughout the year with several devastating KO wins.
6. Rafael Marquez- The Bantamweight king continued his reign on top for yet another year.
7. Jermain Taylor- After a breakthrough 2005, Taylor kept his title against the very tough Winky Wright when they fought to a draw, a fight which many thought Taylor would win. Taylor has a December date with Kassim Ouma to try and stay on top.
8. Marco Antonio Barrera- Despite some critics wanting to write him off after his first win over Rocky Juarez, Barrera came back and killed any controversy with a clear cut win over Juarez in the rematch. Barrera also stays on top as one of the bigger draws in Boxing.
