Ultimately,
a fighter is not going to make it in the sport if he does not possess the
skills needed to land more effective punches than his opponent, but if a boxer
is going to make a major impression on the outside world, he needs to have a
personality that attracts attention.
In the
past, boxing has had stellar showmen like Sugar Ray Robinson, Sugar Ray
Leonard, Mike Tyson and the great Muhammad Ali.
A
showman can be quite vocal like Ali or have a great smile like Leonard. Even a
menacing fighter like Tyson at his best was charismatic because everyone wanted
to know what he would do next.
The
current generation of fighters may lack the showmanship of fighters from past
generations, but here's a look at six fighters who have the ability to command
attention because of their charisma.
6. Brandon Rios
Brandon
"Bam-Bam" Rios (31-0-1) is a fighter who is clearly on the ascent.
He
fights with a crowd-pleasing style and he registered a seventh-round technical
knockout over Robbie Alvarado on Oct. 13.
The win
came in a full-scale brawl with Alvarado. Both fighters gave an excellent
account of themselves in a close battle until Rios closed the show.
Rios is
not a boxing celebrity at this point in his career, but those who watch his
fights can't help but be entertained. The Lubbock, Texas, native is likely to
develop far more followers because he gives boxing fans a lot more than their
money's worth in each of his bouts.
Rios may
be in line for a fight with Manny Pacquiao as a result of the win over
Alvarado, according to the Los Angeles Times.
5. Juan Manuel Marquez
Juan
Manuel Marquez (54-6-1) is one of the most bankable fighters in the business
and he can usually be counted on to put on a great show in the ring.
Marquez
has fought Manny Pacquiao three times, and a fourth fight is on the schedule
for Dec. 8.
Fans
like to see Marquez because he always throws a lot of punches and is not
looking to merely survive.
Marquez's
action-packed style makes him one of the sport's top showmen.
4. Sergio Gabriel Martinez
Sergio
Gabriel Martinez (50-2-2) has won his last six fights since dropping a
majority decision to Paul Williams in 2009.
He came
back to avenge that loss by knocking out Williams in 2010.
One of
the reasons that Martinez has become such a popular fighter is his tendency to
leave everything in the ring on an every-round basis.
In his
victory over Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. in September 2012, Martinez sensed that
Chavez was not in the best of shape and he took it to his beleaguered opponent
for 11 rounds. When Chavez turned it on in the 12th round, he registered a
knockdown but it was too little, too late against a great boxing showman.
3. Saul Alvarez
Saul
"Canelo" Alvarez (41-0-1) is one of the most charismatic and
explosive young fighters in the business.
Alvarez,
22, has power in both of his hands and will come after his opponent with a fury
as soon as he senses the slightest weakness.
Four of
his last five victories have been by technical knockouts. Alvarez fights with a
swarming style and that gives him the kind of appeal that should make him a
star in the sport for many years.
Despite
his youth, he is already a great showman in the ring because of his aggressive
fighting style.
2. Manny Pacquiao
Manny
Pacquiao (54-4-2) is one of the most popular fighters of the his generation.
Pacquiao,
33, is one of the busiest fighters when he gets in the ring. He is not afraid
to take a punch in order to get off a flurry of his own.
Any time
Pacquiao gets in the ring, it is big news in the sporting world. He is capable
of launching an impressive two-fisted attack and also moves around the ring
with speed and quickness.
Outside
the ring, Pacquiao is a politician, a philanthropist and an entertainer. He is
incredibly popular in his native Philippines and he has a big following in the
U.S. as well.
A fight
between Pacquiao and the No. 1 fighter in these rankings would catapult boxing
dramatically, at least temporarily.
1. Floyd
Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather
(43-0-0) is undoubtedly the most skilled fighter of his generation.
He is
one of the most talented fighter of all time, and there is nothing he doesn't
do well in the ring. It is very difficult to hit Mayweather squarely because of
his speed and defensive skills. He also has a devastating jab and he hits hard
with both hands.
Outside
the ring, Mayweather is a must-follow story. He is known for his outsized
sports bets that lead many to think he may have a gambling problem—or will once
his boxing money stops rolling in.
-source: bleacherreport.com
No comments:
Post a Comment