Forget P4P -- These guys are TME
Al Bello/Getty ImagesTomasz Adamek, left, has a penchant for punishment -- and fight fans love it. Earlier this year, Eduardo Perez (an ESPN.com reader) sent me an e-mail that made an interesting point.
Many boxing Web sites have "pound-for-pound" lists.
"Guys like Bernard Hopkins and Joe Calzaghe are pound-for-pound," Perez wrote. "But you can't make a case for them being top boxers to watch." Then he added, "Or can you?"
Actually, I like watching Bernard Hopkins fight. I'm drawn by his personality and fascinated by the fact that a fighter his age (now 44) has such formidable skills. I enjoyed watching Joe Calzaghe fight too.
But Eduardo's e-mail led me to ask, "Who are the most exciting fighters in boxing today?"
Here, in no particular order, is my "Sweet 16" list of TME: "The Most Exciting" fighters now plying their trade. The list is limited to boxers who have world-class potential or have already reached the elite level. It features action fighters with a bias toward those who can punch.
Remember: these aren't necessarily the best fighters in boxing. They're the most crowd-pleasing; although it's worth noting that 10 of the 16 also are on ESPN.com's "pound-for-pound" list.
When any of these guys is in a competitive match-up, either I'm at ringside or watching on television. And I won't turn away because, at any moment -- BOOM -- something might happen.
Manny Pacquiao: Boxing's reigning pound-for-pound king is also one of its most exciting fighters. He has lost only once in the past 10 years and has defeated the likes of Oscar De La Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales. When Pacquiao fights, the world watches and the Filipino people hold their collective breath.
Ricky Hatton: Hatton's fights generally aren't pretty. He has a mauling, brawling style that's not going to change much no matter what he and his current trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., say about the future. But Hatton is all action and the vociferous crowds he attracts add to the drama.
Miguel Cotto: Cotto brutalizes overmatched foes and hangs tough with the best of opponents. The one blot on his record (a knockout loss at the hands of Antonio Margarito) came in a fight of non-stop action that may well have been influenced by illegal hand wraps. Those wraps, by the way, are the reason that Margarito doesn't appear on this list.
Shane Mosley: Most fighters say they'll fight anyone. Mosley means it. De La Hoya (twice), Vernon Forrest (twice), Winky Wright (twice), Fernando Vargas (twice), Cotto, Luis Collazo, Margarito. Mosley fights every minute of every round and has charisma to boot.
Tomasz Adamek: Adamek is the best in a weak cruiserweight division. He's a limited fighter, but his limitations make for exciting fights. Come forward punching. Get hit. Come forward punching some more.
Kelly Pavlik: Pavlik will fight with you. That's what he does best. If need be, he'll take two to land one and he has heavy hands. A few more subtle moves would make him a better fighter. But it's the lack of subtlety that makes him so exciting.
Arthur Abraham: Like Pavlik, Abraham made his first big splash by beating Edison Miranda. Then he did it a second time. For the most part, Abraham has fought bogus mandatory challengers. He's a tough SOB with an aggressive ring style, and it would be nice to see him face tougher opposition.
Paul Williams: Forget the nonsense about Williams' being the "most feared" man in boxing and three weight divisions being "frozen in fear" of him. Pavlik was ready to fight him on HBO in autumn before Williams did an about-face and turned down the bout. That said, Williams is a non-stop puncher who fights like a threshing machine and gives fans good value for money.
James Kirkland: Constant aggression; volume punching. "I'm here to hurt you." "Hit me; I dare you." It would be nice to see Kirkland in a competitive match-up so boxing fans can find out how good he is, or isn't. He has an attitude, that's for sure.
Alfredo Angulo: Angulo is another prospect who has built his record on soft opposition. When he's in the ring, though, punches fly and both guys get hit. A May 30 match-up against Kermit Cintron will offer clues with regard to his future.
Edwin Valero: Five years ago, Valero was barred from fighting in the United States when the New York State Athletic Commission denied him a license as a consequence of his having suffered uncontrolled bleeding in the brain after a motorcycle accident. Now Edwin has been licensed to fight in Texas. Other jurisdictions are expected to follow suit. That raises numerous medical and ethical issues. A record of 25 knockout victories in 25 fights is Valero's answer.
Yuriorkis Gamboa: The former Olympic gold medalist from Cuba, now living in Florida, is being marketed as a "mini Mike Tyson." So far, that's more hype than reality. But there's no denying the fact that Gamboa is fast, hard-punching and fun to watch.
Israel Vazquez: Rafael Marquez was the perfect dance partner for Vasquez. Their brutal ring trilogy captivated boxing fans, and Marquez deserves shared credit for that. But of the two fighters, Vazquez seemed the more aggressive and more vulnerable, qualities that make for exciting fights.
Juan Manuel Lopez: Lopez had three championship fights last year and won all three by first-round knockout. He should step up the level of opposition so boxing fans can find out how good he is.
Vic Darchinyan: In word and deed, Darchinyan evokes images of Naseem Hamed when The Prince was riding high. He's a power puncher with an unorthodox style; irritating to listen to and willing to go in tough.
Cris Arreola: We need a heavyweight on the list, don't we? Arreola is a big, strong, often-out-of-shape heavyweight who punches with abandon and looks like a man who enjoys a good party. He's too hittable for his own good, but punches back when hit.
A closing note --
This list is heavily weighted toward fighters who can be seen regularly on television in the United States. And it's very subjective. So let's hear what you, the reader, have to say. Weigh-in with your e-mails. Voice your opinion in Dan Rafael's next chat. Let the debate begin.
Thomas Hauser is the lead writer for Secondsout.com. His most recent collection of boxing columns -- "The Greatest Sport of All" -- has been published by the University of Arkansas Press. He can be reached by e-mail at thauser@rcn.com.
