By James Slater – We boxing fans are lucky people right now, in that we have a whole load of fighters who are not only willing to give their all in the ring, but who are also immensely exciting when they fight. The most important thing in the minds of many fans when paying to see a boxing match is not to see a display of skill (though this too is admirable), but to see raw, undiluted action.
And today, in late 2010, we are blessed enough to have a number of great, bang-for-your buck fighters; men who always send the fans home happy when they go to work..
But who are the five best, the five most exciting, value for money operators out there today?
For the purposes of a FUN article, I list my choices here for the five most exciting, crowd-pleasing fighters currently working.
Here’s my five:
1: Manny Pacquiao.
Wow, an easy choice to kick off! Okay, this one may be an obvious selection, but who gives entertainment and excitement as consistently as Pac-Man? Another valid question might be: who throws (and lands) as many punches as Manny?
Simply put – when you are relentless when it comes to throwing leather, and when you are throwing punches against the best available opposition (Floyd Mayweather excepted), what more can you do!
2: Juan Manuel Marquez.
Who doesn’t like this guy! Over the years, be it at featherweight, super-featherweight or lightweight, this Mexican hero has provided more thrills and spills than most anyone in recent memory. Indeed, it’s a tough question to ask – how many great fights has this guy given us?
Whether he wins or loses (and he usually wins), “Dinamita” makes the fans come back for more. But who will the amazing 37-year-old fight next?
3: Juan Manuel Lopez.
An emerging superstar, “Juanma” has already given us at least two great ones – and there is plenty of time for the lethal-punching lefty to provide us with more thrills. And the thing about Lopez is the way he still sends shivers down the spines of fans even when he doesn’t get the KO (although he usually does). Who can forget his sensational give and take war with Rogers Mtagwa?
Lopez is on the verge of potentially terrific engagements with the likes of Yuriorkis Gamboa (see below) and Chris John. Such fights, if they happen, may well elevate Lopez in many “excitement” lists.
4: David Haye.
Sure, Haye is annoying in that he doesn’t fight anywhere near as often as he should – not to mention his inability to get a fight made with a Klitschko! But when he does fight, and whoever it is against, Haye provides genuine excitement. Part of “The Hayemaker’s” excitement value is the way he is vulnerable to a good shot. Haye can be hit and hurt, but he is also capable of coming back and making the guy who hurt him pay.
The question of whether or not the former cruiserweight ruler can recover from the sure punches he would take against a Klitschko and come back to win, ensures his name will remain on the lips of those fans craving a real heavyweight battle.
5: Yuriorkis Gamboa.
This Cuban warrior, much like Puerto Rican past legend Felix Trinidad, is fast earning a reputation as an incredible puncher who can be hit and knocked down himself – only to come roaring back and put the other guy’s lights out. “Tito” managed to do his thing against the very best; all the way to the likes of Fernando Vargas, Ramon Campas and Oscar De La Hoya, but we do not yet know how far the featherweight champ can go.
With mega-matches against the also-vulnerable Lopez, Chris John and others on the horizon, fans will definitely stay tuned when Gamboa fights. Can the Cuban sensation prove he is the best and become the undisputed king of the featherweights?
(the next five) five other current warriors who always excite:
Tavoris Cloud – all-action light-heavyweight who won’t take no for an answer.
Michael Katsidis – fun each and every time he fights!
Carl Froch – whether he brawls or uses his brain, “The Cobra” is never dull.
Marcos Maidana – another KO expert who is also vulnerable
Marco Huck – vastly improved, but still willing to please.