I recall being a young kid, watching Michael Jordan and The Chicago Bulls dynasty of the 1990’s. Announcers would tell us all to “get your VCR’s ready to record, because you will never see another Michael Jordan”. So far they have been correct. For every sport, there is an athlete who’s face represents that particular sport. The face changes from generation to generation. Boxing has had Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier in the 70’s, Sugar Ray Leonard, Tommy Hearns, and Marvin Hagler in the 80’s, Roy Jones Jr and Oscar De La Hoya in the 90’s, and of course Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao in this generation. I would suggest that fans get their DVR’s ready to record, because we will never see another Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao, and their days fighting may be limited.
In the past generations, as “the faces that represented boxing” were on their way out, their successor was already a well developed prospect. Recognizing that Floyd and Manny’s years in the sport are slowly coming to an end, it made me wonder: who is the future of boxing? Whoever it is, they are already in our eye sight.
We all have convictions. We all have beliefs that no matter how hard others try, they will simply not be able to sway us about. For instance, I believe Oscar De La Hoya beat Felix Trinidad. I dont care what the judges say. I believe it. I believe Richard Steele should have let Meldrick Taylor finish his first bout against Julio Cesar Chavez.You cant change my view on that. Here is a list of some possibilities that I believe can have a very bright future in the sport, and possibly become the next “face of boxing”:
10] James Kirkland 30-1 (27 KO) Although there are still a lot of unanswered questions about Kirkland, he proven he has what it takes to be possibly one of the next generations best action fighters. Let’s see if he can correct his flaws, his codependency issues with Anne Wolfe, and live up to his potential. It is still too early to tell.
