Which boxer is the least respected in the sport?
The least respected boxer of the year “award” is a backhanded compliment of sorts. On the one hand, it means you’re doing something right. You’re either notching big wins, or earning your way up the ranks the hard way, or continually and successfully going about your business no matter who you’re fighting.
On the other hand though, nobody’s noticing. Or if they notice, they don’t care. Whatever the reason may be, these guys aren’t getting the credit they deserve. So which fighter tops our list as the least respected of the year?
2013 Least Respected Fighter: Carlos Molina
What does “King” Carlos Molina have to do to either earn some respect, or land a big-time fight?
Look at some of the opposition this guy has faced, and succeeded against, since 2011: Fought Erislandy Lara to a Draw; defeated a still viable Kermit Cintron; en route to a clear decision win over James Kirkland when he was ridiculously disqualified; handled Cory Spinks to land a title shot; out-classed new titleholder Ishe Smith to finally bring home that coveted championship.
He’s our number 3 Junior Middleweight in the world, behind some guy named Floyd Mayweather and Lara, his former foe. But you don’t really hear much about him being a Mayweather opponent do you? How about a rematch with the fellow underappreciated Lara? Don’t hear much about that, either. A big fight against Canelo Alvarez or Miguel Cotto? Mum’s the word.
He’s come up the tough way, nothing has been handed to him, but here he is, a title strap around his waist, near the top of his division, trying to break out if anybody would give him the opportunity.
Molina has paid his dues. Now pay the man some respect.
—> Check out all of the 2013 Boxing Awards
Also Receiving Votes
- Guillermo Rigondeaux: Defeats one of the best fighters in the world. Basically thrown off the network as a result.
- Koki Kameda: Two-division champ with a string of title defenses, only loss was four years ago to the legendary Pongsaklek Wonjongkam. Known more for playing the villain, though, than for his skills.
- Ricky Burns: The skilled, slick, Rickster was on a real impressive tear through the Lightweight division, although the draw against Ray Beltran was the worst decision of the year. Still, fought on valiantly through injury in that outing.
- Wladimir Klitschko: The Povetkin fight stunk, that’s for sure. But the sheer dominance and length of Klitschko’s heavyweight title run is nearly unparalleled throughout boxing’s history.
- Miguel Vazquez: Had his unification fight against Burns scrapped. Still, the IBF Lightweight champ has made five defenses, and has beaten undefeateds including Breidis Prescott, Mercito Gesta and Lenny Zappa.
- Julio Cesar Chavez Jr: Definitely held to a higher standard due to the last name and his seeming complacence or nonchalance outside of the ring. But before the Martinez fight, he finally paid his dues to earn that opportunity, and nearly pulled it out when all was said and done.
- Erislandy Lara: Likely gained some of that respect, finally, with a shutout win over Austin Trout.
- Juan Francisco Estrada: How do you come back from a decision loss to top-5 pound for pounder Roman Gonzalez? You move up in weight, take out the division’s champion, Brian Viloria, and then defeat one of its highly touted prospects, Milan Melindo, that’s how.
- Shinsuke Yamanaka: Won a bantamweight strap in his 15th fight and scored an easy win over Vic Darchinyan, and assorted other challengers since, not that you’ve heard much about it.
