Entertainment has always been at the very core of professional boxing, a unique sport that thrills and frustrates fans in equal measure, built on hype and subjectivity rather than a straightforward meritocracy.
Purists may enjoy watching slick defensive skills and counterpunching but, Floyd Mayweather aside, that doesn’t sell tickets. Fearlessness does. Ultimately fans want to see fighters lay it all on the line in the name of spectacle, standing in the pocket and exchanging, taking shots, or even getting put down from time to time. Knockouts equal excitement and that translates directly into box office.
Fighters must possess the perfect blend of ability and marketability to make it to the top, but right now we are lucky enough to be spoilt for choice in the entertainment stakes. Needless to say, narrowing this list down to just five was a challenge to say the least.
1 – Gennady Golovkin
It was never in doubt that Gennady Golokin would top this list, with the crushing stoppage of a game Willie Monroe Jr at the weekend just the latest in a spectacular run of twenty consecutive knockouts, taking his record to 33-0 and 30 KOs in the process.
The humble Kazakh has blazed a brutal trail through the middleweight division in recent years, blowing away everyone put in front of him with frightening ease. Not only does Golovkin possess superb footwork and sensational power but, worryingly for future opponents, it looks like he has a fantastic chin too. Heck, he knocked former titleholder Daniel Geale clean out a split second after taking a huge right hand from the Australian in the third round of their bout last year.
The big drama show is building momentum, packing arenas and winning new fans every day. Those huge fights we all crave cannot be far away.
2 – Roman Gonzalez
Roman Gonzalez (43-0, 37 KOs) fought on Golovkin’s undercard in Los Angeles at the weekend and threatened to steal the show, showcasing devastating power and skills en route to a second round knockout of Edgar Sosa.
Still only twenty-seven years of age, Chocolatito has already won world titles in three weight divisions and is now bringing the spotlight to the oft-overlooked flyweight division with his ascent up the pound-for-pound rankings.
Unbeaten, supremely talented and fan friendly, Gonzalez puts his shots together in an exhilarating fashion, as underlined by his 86% knockout rate. Mainstream exposure and profile now beckons for the Nicaraguan.
3 – Lucas Matthysse
After destroying Lamont Peterson inside three rounds back in 2013, the big-punching Argentine suffered a setback when comfortably outpointed by Danny Garcia on the Mayweather-Alvarez undercard later that year.
Matthysse rebuilt in style though, going to war against John Molina Jr in a breathless ‘Fight Of The Year’ with multiple knockdowns, eventually triumphing by TKO in the eleventh round. A routine stoppage win over Roberto Ortiz followed five months later, before an exhilarating battle with Ruslan Provodnikov in April 2015. The bout was highly anticipated by fans everywhere and didn’t disappoint, as the two traded blows over twelve compelling rounds, Matthysse eventually winning through with a majority decision.
A reminder, if it were needed, that The Machine remains one of the most exciting fighters on the world scene.
4 – Nicholas Walters
The Axe Man is due to return to the ring in June, defending his featherweight title against Miguel Marriaga at Madison Square Garden, before hopefully moving on to a dream match up against the similarly exciting Vasyl Lomachenko later in the year.
Having first picked up the vacant WBA crown in 2012, Walters defended just once the following year, before regaining some serious career momentum in 2014, first with an impressive demolition of Vic Darchinyan, then by stopping Nonito Donaire inside six enthralling rounds, during which the Filipino Flash hit the deck heavily twice and for the first time in his career.
Supernaturally strong for 126 pounds, the tough Jamaican also has a ruthless streak that will continue to draw crowds and win acclaim from pundits alike.
5 – Keith Thurman
Aside from a lopsided points wins over a seriously unambitious Leonard Bundu in 2014, One Time has made a name for himself in the welterweight division with some spectacular knockouts and an all-action style.
Registering a knockout rate of 80% to date, the Florida native has been making noise in the welterweight division for some time and enjoyed breakout exposure in March with his exciting, but one-sided, battle with Robert Guerrero. Thurman couldn’t get the stoppage he craved, but still turned in a dominant display on NBC prime time in front of a huge audience.
There are big fights out there at 147 pounds and with such impressive speed and power in both hands, it’s easy to see why Al Haymon seems keen to make Thurman one of the cornerstones of his Premier Boxing Champions series.
– Nick Austin / @futilityclinic
Leave a Reply