What player would you start your franchise with? This is a very debatable conversation sports fans like to have. In basketball would you pick LeBron James or Kobe Bryant? In football would you pick Peyton Manning or LaDainian Tomlison? In baseball would you pick Albert Pujols or Alex Rodriguez? I want to build up my Canadian audience, so I’ll throw in Crosby or Ovechkin?
Some of the factors that go into your choices are talent, age and marketability. What player can make your imaginary franchise a lot of money? Since here at Boxing Confidential it is all about boxing 24/7/365, what fighter would I start my promotional company with? Before I get started I would like to introduce you to Jason Jacksons’ Golden Rank Promotions. I know that name rattled a couple of cages.
The obvious pool of possibilities would be Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. Floyd is fresh off his record breaking pay per view victory of Oscar De La Hoya. Floyd is 30 years old and still in his prime.
Yet, I have a few reasons why the Pretty Boy wouldn’t be my number one pick. His fighting style is not real appeasing to the hardcore boxing fans. (By the way can someone please show Floyd the right way to a wear a sombrero?) I also don’t want to promote the bad guy or villian that Floyd portrays in most of his fights. Don’t get me wrong, it sells, but I don’t want to be a part of it.
Manny Pacquiao is the most exciting fighter in the game right now. He is an icon in his native land of the Philippines. Manny wouldn’t be my choice either, because he is very erratic. Even in this hypothetical project, I am still worried he might sign a seperate contract with my subconscious.
True fight fans know that all the excitement is in the lower weight divisions. The truth is though, that the smaller weight classes aren’t going grab the attention of the casual sports fan.
I really like Miguel Cotto. He has an exciting fighting style. Miguel just doesn’t have that “it” factor. He does not have the cross over appeal. If you are a heavyweight or European you never really stood a chance to be my franchise player.
With the number one pick in the draft Golden Rank Promotions selects Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. I am clearly looking a few years into the future for my payoff with Julio. I tell you though, the sky is the limit with this kid. Julio will be around for the next 10 to 15 years. This kid has got the goods. His father is the legendary Julio Cesar Chavez for god’s sake. He has the Mexican left hook to the body punch in his arsenal.
This kid is six feet tall. He has the potential to be champion in four weight divisions. Having a Mexican champion in the middleweight division will be a new sight to see. This is where I see the financial gain in Junior. He already has the support of all the Mexican boxing fans because of his father. In five years when Julio is a world class fighter, he will have no problem what so ever selling out the Staples Center in Los Angeles, University of Phoenix Stadium (where the Arizona Cardinals play). He can sell out any venue in Texas. I can already see him filling up the new Dallas Cowboys stadium in a few years.
He can go to a market that his dad never reached and that is all the Latinos in Chicago. Julio will not have any trouble selling out Las Vegas. He can also sell out the historical Estadio Azteca in Mexico City like his father did. He can fight Greg Haugen Jr or who ever is the smack talking no skill having Mayorga of that time. This kid has the whole package. Now it’s up to you Mr.Bob Arum to do the right thing with our next Mexican legend.
