By Ted Sares: A couple of years ago, I wrote that Mexican boxers were having an off year and many were losing pivotal fights. But this has now gone full circle. Mexican or boxers of Mexican heritage are having a great year in 20111. After all, the tradition of Mexico’s boxers is legendary. Indeed, when one thinks of fighters from this neighboring country, words and phrases like glory, warrior, left hook to the liver, skill, and never give up come to mind. Lest there be any doubt, let’s review what these guys have done so far in 2011:
Marco Antonio “El Veneno” Rubio-(51-5-1) This KO specialist shocked the boxing world when he stopped highly touted David Lemieux. Rubio paced himself brilliantly and allowed the Montreal bomber to gas. Rubio has won eight in a row since losing to Kelly Pavlik in 2009.
Daniel Ponce de leon (41-3) He won seven in a row after having been knocked out by Juan Manuel Lopez in 2008. On April 3, 2011, he was on the receiving end of a terrible decision when he lost to Adrien Broner. Look for this vastly improved fighter to come back strong.
Giovani “El Guerrero Azteca” Segura-(28-1-1), Segura blasted Ivan Calderon inside of 3 rounds in a rematch of their 2010 FOTY candidate and is now set to make noise in the Flyweight division.
Cristobal “The Nightmare” Arreola-(32-2, 28 KO). This fan-friendly Mexican American heavyweight is staying active the old school way as he works his way back to a another title fight. He stopped Joey Abell, Nagy Aguilera, and Kendrick Releford this year, the latter two coming 13 days apart. He will next duke with Nigeria’s Friday Ahunanya (24-7-3, 13 KO) who has only been stopped once in his career. Look for Chris to make it twice.
Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios-(27-0-1) Rios is my kind of fighter as he stalks, stuns and closes out his opponents with relentlessness regularity. He has matured greatly since the Freddie Roach Parkinson’s affair and seems to have gotten his act together. Indeed, his thrilling win over tough Miguel Acosta went far in winning over a great number of fans. If he should beat the ultra tough fellow-Mexican Urbano Antillon in their upcoming war, look for this Mexican American brawler to become a Pay for View attraction sooner rather than later.
Hernan “Tyson” Marquez (30-2)- Marquez battled rough Panamanian Luis Concepcion and won the WBA World flyweight title in a thrilling 11th round stoppage in Panama.
Orlando”Siri” Salido (35-11-2). -In an Upset of the Year type win, Salido took Juan Manuel Lopez’s Featherweight title in Puerto Rico no less. Siri is seriously back in the mix.
Victor “Vicious” Ortiz-(29-2-2). His great win over Andre Berto for the WBC welterweight crown is a definite FOTY contender and nets him the profitable but extremely daunting task of fighting the great Floyd Mayweather Junior later this year.
Julio Cesar Chavez Jr.-(43-0-1). Though overly protected, he has great brand quality. He is also game, a fine body puncher and very vulnerable which makes him exciting to watch. And oh yes, he is the WBC middleweight title holder.
Saul “Canelo” Alvarez-(37-0-1). When Canelo fights, the boxing world pays attention. He has more charisma than just about anyone out there. And he has the record and skills to go with his popularity. Canelo may soon become the next superstar of boxing as he leads the pack out of Mexico..
Eric “El Terrible” Morales-(51-7).His loss to Marcos Maidana in April probably gained him more respect than any of his three previous wins as he showed he still had the skills and heart of the future the Hall of Fame fighter that he is. The legend continues.
Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez (52-5-1). And speaking of legends, after disposing of Likar Ramos in July, JMM will face off against none other than Manny Pacquiao in November. Should Dinamita win, the legend will be cast in stone.
Miguel “Titere “Vazquez (29-3). Two of his losses were early to a teenager by the name of Saul Alvarez, but then he found himself and beat Breidis Prescott in 2009 and then took the vacant IBF Lightweight crown from Ji Hoon Kim in 2010. Thus far in 2011, he has taken the measure of rugged Leonardo Zappavigna and Marlon Aguilar. This unheralded fighter possesses great technical skills and will soon enter center stage.
Humberto “La Zorrita” Soto (55-7-2). This crafty veteran has been around since 1997 and holds the WBC lightweight title. He has won eleven in a row and his scheduled to fight Motoki Sasaki this week in Cozumel.
Jorge “Travieso” Arce (57-6-2). He signaled that he still can duke with the best as he stopped undefeated Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. Now on a 6-fight undefeated streak, this newly crowned WBO Super bantamweight champion is not yet ready to call it a career—not by a long shot.
Johnny Gonzalez (48-7). On April 8, 201, Johnny, beat down his opponent from Japan, Hozumi Hasegawa, to become WBC featherweight champion. Earlier, Hasegawa won the title from another Mexican, Juan Carlos Burgos. That Johnny’s great win occurred in Kobe, Japan made it that much sweeter. The likable and heavy fisted Gonzalez is just the latest Mexican fighter on a roll.
Robert “The Ghost” Guerrero (29-1-1) This WBO and WBA World lightweight champion is fast approaching Pound For Pound status. His destruction of Michael Katsidis was painful to watch.
Meanwhile, other fighters are at the top as world champions or roam near the top of their respective divisions. These, include but are not limited to Urbano Antillon, Tomás Rojas, Hugo Fidel Cazares, Adrián Hernández, Jesus Geles, Jorge Solis, Juan Carlos Burgos, Cristobal Cruz, Cristian Mijares, Edgar Sosa, Hugo Ruiz, Ulises Solis , Ramón García Hirales, Raúl García Hirales, and too many prospects to list.
As an aside, on May 30, 2011, Raul Garcia defended the title for the first time by third round TKO against Rommel Asenjo. He and his brother Ramon made history that night when they became the first set of twin brothers to win world title fights on the same venue.
And who knows, 2011 might just be the year “Yori Boy” Campas (98-15-1) gets his 100th win. True to form, Yori Boy is wining fights against tough hombres with solid records.
Viva Mexico!