Which Boxers Deserve More Fights, Exposure and Chances?
There are many reasons why certain fighters get overlooked, especially by boxing observers here in the states. Sometimes it boils down to purely geographical conditions. Fighters from faraway lands are obviously more under the radar. Not helping their cause is the fact that these boxers seem to operate in a vacuum, always fighting in their homeland against domestic opposition or anonymous invaders. If you’re not from there, it takes a lot of energy to follow the scene, and good boxers end up getting denied their rightful international standing as a top fighter.
Other times, it comes down to management. Some fighters lack expert career guidance, have ineffective management, or are in limbo not able to get fights. There’s an art to moving a boxing career. Without that crucial element in place, a gifted fighter can languish in anonymity for his entire career.
There are other fighters who have also allowed self-sabotage to undermine their progress. Personal problems, legal issues, in-fighting, delusions of grandeur, and a general unwillingness to pay the price can all contribute to the slow progress of an otherwise gifted pro. Here are some fighters who, for whatever reason, have yet to zoom into the worldwide consciousness of boxing fans.
Gennady Golovkin
Why he should get more attention: On paper, seems like a compelling middleweight talent at 20-0 (17 KOs). Has taken only 8 total rounds to dispose of his last 4 opponents—who had a combined record of 64-6-3. Has a stellar amateur record, which saw him earn the World Championship and a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics. As an amateur, holds some big wins over the likes of Andy Lee, Yordanis Despaigne, Andre Dirrell, and most impressively, a knockout win over Lucian Bute in 2003.
Why it will be difficult: Hopefully, he won’t follow the route of so many other German-based alphabet titlists, who endlessly milk their title reigns with fights against no-hopers and retreads. Seems to have the ability to build a more meaningful legacy than the Sven Ottkes of the world. Nevertheless, it appears he will not be immediately stepping up to face A-list middleweights. As WBA champion, perhaps that will eventually line up for a shot at WBA “Super Champion” Felix Sturm. Welcome to the wonderful and wacky world of the sanctioning bodies.
Chris John
Why he should get more attention: A longtime featherweight titleholder, who holds a 2006 win over the current World Lightweight Champion, Juan Manuel Marquez, who himself is now a top draw. Normally such qualifications would guarantee that he at least be followed with interest by western observers. 14 title fight wins and a title reign over 7 years old has only earned him begrudging respect from boxing’s most hardcore fans. One would think a fighter with a record of 44-0-2 who beat Marquez would have a higher profile.
Why it will be difficult: Seemed to not make much impact in his two stateside performances, a draw and unanimous decision over Rocky Juarez in 2009. Was more impressive in the second bout, but has fought only once in the subsequent 18 months, losing the minimal momentum he managed to build (Editor’s note: dropping him to #20 on the ProBoxing-Fans.com pound for pound list, and #3 in the featherweight division). At 31, he can still regenerate a buzz, as he will try to do in April when he faces tough challenger Daud Yordan.
Omar Narvaez
Why he should get more attention: Two-time Olympian is undefeated in 35 fights and 19 title bouts between 112 and 115 pounds. Opposition hasn’t been great, but has still managed some decent triumphs over the years, including a 10th-round TKO of 22-0 U.S. prospect Rayonta Whitfield. Next takes on undefeated and talented challenger Cesar Seda.
Why it will be difficult: Fights exclusively in Argentina, therefore operating in a vacuum. As is typical with many WBO titleholders, has been allowed to prolong his reign by fighting non-threatening opposition. Why should fans care about his legacy if Narvaez and his management pay so little mind to it? Is already 35 and with almost zero western interest in the 115-pound class, it seems unlikely that Narvaez will ever become more than a blip on our radar.
Toshiaki Nishioka
Why he should get more attention: A very exciting southpaw who has truly come into his own in the past several years, he’s rated as the #1 fighter in the super bantamweight division rankings according to ProBoxing-Fans.com. At 37-4-3, the only man to beat him in the past 15 years was esteemed Thai ex-champ Veeraphol Sahaprom, a man he fought 4 times (0-2-2). Asian champs always seem to catch flack for remaining in their homeland and fighting only domestic opposition. At the same time, when Nishioka traveled to Mexico and starched Jhonny Gonzalez in 2009, it barely registered in the minds of the international boxing public. The same thing happened when he easily beat well-regarded and undefeated British contender Rendall Munroe in October of 2010. The best 122-pounder in the world deserves some respect.
Why it will be difficult: 122 pounds is not exactly brimming with compelling challengers. Nothing Nishioka did before earned him much international recognition, so what would change now? Lacks quality challenges and it’s unlikely any high-profile fighters would tangle with a fighter who is so dangerous and anonymous at the same time. Doesn’t really warrant the risk. At 34 with a pro career of over 16 years under his belt, time is running out for Nishioka to become a truly international presence.
Jan Zaveck
Why he should get more attention: A titlist in the packed and popular welterweight division, Zaveck, ranked at #6 in our welterweight division rankings, has virtually no status in the states. Avenged his only loss in 2010 with a title win over tough Rafal Jackiewicz. Most notable win was his 3rd-round demolition of 29-1-1 Isaac Hlatshwayo—an impressive outcome considering Hlatshwayo’s results against other top fighters. Three knockouts in his four title fights underscore his improvement. Isn’t it just a matter of time before a high-profile fighter tries to bag a belt at the expense of Zaveck? If so, Zaveck might get his chance to become more than an anonymous foreign alphabet titlist.
Why it will be difficult: Zaveck has recently taken to fighting in his homeland—the boxing wasteland of Slovenia. It might be difficult to lure quality foes to his stomping grounds and we already know that most Eastern European champions tend not to travel across the pond. Turned pro late and is already 34, making his window to achieve substantial success a bit short. While solid, capable, and well-schooled, lacks that special something that is required to draw the interest of the multitudes.
David Lopez
Why he should get more attention: The only American on the list, Lopez has already had a remarkable and inspirational career, yet still languishes in almost total anonymity. 33-year old middleweight has been a pro since 1995. Began his career 15-10 and has since gone 24-2 and is undefeated over the past 6 years. Spidery 6’2” Lopez first became noticed with a knockout of 29-0-1 Lonnie Bradley in 2003. Also has wins over Jerson Ravelo (13-0), Danny Perez (31-4), Epifanio Mendoza (24-3-1), Rocky Montoya (29-1), Michael Walker (18-0-2), Billy Lyell (16-5), Samuel Miller (18-2), and Saul Duran (32-7).
“The Destroyer” is an exciting southpaw banger who deserves a big fight. Under the Golden Boy banner for a while now, it’s a bit surprising that he has never received a big push. There is little excuse for him to not get a shot, though it certainly hasn’t been easy for one of the sport’s most avoided fighters.
Why it will be difficult: Seems to have lost some steam in his career turnaround, fighting only once a year in 2009-10—a strange way to capitalize on his previous momentum. Appears to be essentially locked out of big fights. Realistically, not many big name middleweights want to tangle with an ultra-dangerous 12-loss fighter. Lopez is a high risk/low reward proposition for any middleweight. His team will need to cultivate an opportunity, since nobody is really lining up to face him. After years of being mired in this aimless holding pattern, it is conceivable that Lopez could begin losing interest and drift mentally.
Zsolt Erdei
Why he should get more attention: Label as an over-protected Eastern European champion is perhaps somewhat deserved, but not to the extent of the other coddled titlists whom Erdei gets lumped with from that part of the world. The 2-time Olympian and 2000 Bronze Medalist is undeniably a talented fighter. Clearly beat 35-1 Julio Gonzalez—who had just beaten 48-0 Darius Michaelczevski in his previous outing.
Strange that neither Gonzalez nor Erdei seemed to inherit any of the substantial heat that surrounded Michaelczevski’s career at the time. Holds two wins over Hugo Garay, who went on to beat titleholder Juergen Braehmer. Also holds wins over reputable European fighters Mehdi Sahnoune, Thomas Ulrich, and Yuriy Barashian. Added another title with a decision over WBC Cruiserweight Champion Giacobbe Fragomeni in 2009. Recently signed with Lou DiBella and notched a tune-up win in New Jersey, so expect Erdei to try to make his mark in the USA.
Why it will be difficult: Is already 36 and with a long career behind him, does he have enough left in the tank to make a serious impact? His lax schedule of late doesn’t convey much urgency. With a lot of good North American-based fighters at the top of the light heavyweight division (where Erdei is currently ranked in the #8 position), can Erdei make the jump in class after being fed a long diet of inferior European opposition? In addition, why would top guys like Jean Pascal, Bernard Hopkins, or Tavoris Cloud want to take on a talented guy whose name no one can really pronounce? There appears to be little upside for any top fighter to face Erdei.
