Outside of the United States, no other country has had as much of an impact on boxing as Mexico. Producing dozens of world champions throughout the history of the sport and currently boasting 17 active titlists, the Mexican fighter has become the prototype for the hardcore, all-action type of warrior fans love to watch.
On this Cinco de Mayo holiday, it’s time to look at Mexico’s Top 10 active fighters:
1) Juan Manuel Marquez (52-5-1, 38 KOs)
There’s little doubt as to the top spot on this list. Marquez is the recognized legitimate world champion at lightweight with recent impressive wins over Michael Katsidis and Juan Diaz. Prior to that, Marquez had established a level of technical excellence from featherweight up to lightweight, scoring wins over the likes of Joel Casamayor, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Orlando Salido, as well as two tightly-contested contests with Manny Pacquiao (Draw, Split Decision Loss).
2) Giovani Segura (27-1-1, 23 KOs)
This 108 lb. wrecking ball has scored back to back stoppage wins over future Hall of Famer, Ivan Calderon as well as a host of solid, veteran talents like Cesar Canchila, Carlos Tamara, and Sonny Boy Jaro. “The Aztec Warrior,” Segura, will be moving up to the flyweight division (112 lbs.) next with plenty of opportunities to nab the top spot on this list.
3) Jhonny Gonzalez (48-7, 42 KOs)
A couple of years ago, Gonzalez was considered all but finished as a top star. Since his TKO 3 loss to Toshiaki Nishioka in 2009, the fighter from Mexico City has won eight fights in a row, all via stoppage. Most recently, Gonzalez captured the WBC featherweight title by stopping Japan’s Hozumi Hasegawa in four rounds.
4) Humberto Soto (55-7-2, 32 KOs)
The reigning WBC lightweight titlist has held some form of world title belt for the last three years and has demonstrated a high level of technical proficiency as well as a drive to brawl when the need arises. The three-division world champion has noted victories against the likes of Urbano Antillon, David Diaz, and Rocky Juarez in his fourteen year career.
5) Fernando Montiel (44-3-2, 34 KOs)
Despite suffering a crushing second-round TKO at the hands of Nonito Donaire, Montiel is still a three division world champ with fifteen years of quality career behind him. Montiel has scored victories over world class opposition such as Hozumi Hasegawa and Z Gorres.
6) Abner Mares (21-0-1, 13 KOs)
The 25-year old boxer from Guadalajara already owns a win over former world champ, Vic Darchinyan and a questionable draw against Yonnhy Perez. Mares’ class and skill is clearly obvious and, as a fighter just reaching his physical prime, his future looks bright.
7) Alfredo Angulo (19-1, 16 KOs)
Before hitting an immigration issue that has kept him out of the ring for the last ten months, Angulo was on a 4-0 roll after losing an upset unanimous decision to Kermit Cintron. With veteran names like Joel Julio, Joachim Alcine, and Cosme Rivera on his resume, the 28-year old seems on the path to bigger and better things, provided he can get his legal issues worked out.
8) Orlando Salido (35-11-2, 23 KOs)
Old school to the bone, Salido developed his craft on the tough Mexican independent circuit and learned the hard way, dropping some tough fights to more experienced opponents. However, the dividends for this tough road are starting to pay off, most notably with the upset TKO shocker over well-regarded Juan Manuel Lopez in April. Prior to that, he fought Cuban phenom, Yuriorkis Gamboa to a tougher-than-expected decision loss.
9) Hugo Cazarez (34-6-2, 24 KOs)
The two-division world champ from Los Mochis, Sinaloa has played his career slow and steady, consistently fighting hard and putting on quality performances, even in defeat. The current WBA super flyweight champ has fought tough, veteran opposition throughout his fourteen year career, most recently traveling to Japan in three of his last five contests to defend his belt.
10) Daniel Ponce de Leon (41-3, 34 KOs)
The former jr. featherweight world champ and current top featherweight contender has been a fixture at the top of the rankings since winning the WBO 122 lb. title in 2005. The heavy-handed southpaw brawler from Ciudad Cuauhtemoc, Chihuahua most recently dropped a controversial decision to prospect, Adrien Broner in the jr. lightweight division, but is still regarded as a top featherweight contender.
Honorable Mention: Miguel Vazquez, Saul Alvarez, Erik Morales, Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., Marco Antonio Rubio, Hernan Marquez
Sources:
Boxrec, Boxrec Records and Stats, Boxrec
