Saturday, January 05, 2008 Quijano: Who will be the breakthrough star for 2008? By Jingo Quijano Last Round
2007 saw the emergence of several new potential superstars for the sweet science. Reigning king Floyd Mayweather Jr. has hinted at retirement several times and 2008 just might be the year he actually does it. Ditto with Oscar dela Hoya.
Just like any sport, boxing needs its superstars to keep the fans interested.
Let’s look at several other heirs-apparent who might sub for the Pretty Boy and the Golden Boy and actually be able to traverse the arduous road from stardom to superstardom.
Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik–There’s a new lion patrolling the middleweight grounds. He’s ghost-white, soft-spoken and has a small town languor about him that I find quite refreshing in a sport populated by tough, trash talking bullies. He also has an anvil of a right hand which I believe is the best in the sport today.
He practically came out of nowhere and pancaked undefeated Jemain Taylor in 7 rounds to take his middleweight crowns. Prior to the Taylor fight, he also scored knockouts against feared Colombian banger Edison Miranda and Mexican Jose Luis Zertuche.
If he wins the rematch against Taylor scheduled in February, we could be looking at boxing’s newest superstar.
Juan Diaz–2008 is billed as the Year of the Rat, but you can throw that astrology book out the window if Juan Diaz can live up to his ambitious schedule this year.
The “Baby Bull” took a dig at Manny Pacquiao by claiming that the latter needs to fight and beat a young Mexican champion, obviously insinuating that Pacquiao had a field day against Barrera and Morales because of their age.
He might be correct and if ever his super-fight with the Pacman pushes through, he will be in a perfect position to be Mexico’s premiere fighter and avenge his compatriot’s losses. A win over the Pacman puts him in the league of Morales and Barrera. Considering the huge Latino fan base for boxing, Diaz could well be the sport’s newest cash cow (or bull).
He is scheduled to face Nate Campbell in March, a powerful, and tricky counter-puncher. A win over the “Galaxxy Warrior” would definitely fuel the drumbeats for the Pacquiao super-fight.
And even if that fight doesn’t push through, he can opt to unify with WBA titlist David Diaz and so 2008 looks to be a promising year for the “Baby Bull.”
Joe Calzaghe–Granted, he’s been around for so long. But it’s almost criminal that he’s hasn’t achieved superstardom yet. He’s undefeated and counts Jeff Lacy, Mikkel Kessler, Peter Manfredo Jr. among his victims.
But Joe has never figured in a super-fight in the USA and his inability to showcase his abilities to American fans is preventing him from reaching the zenith of his career.
Will 2008 finally be Joe’s year? Yes, it might be.
As of this writing, he was finally able to secure a dream match-up with Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins at the Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York.
Beating Hopkins and doing it in the USA will finally earn him the recognition he so richly deserves. And it’s doable from where this writer sits.
Comparing their last two performances, I would have to give the edge to the Welshman. He convincingly defeated Kessler (who was undefeated coming in) and showed he had superior endurance than his younger opponent.
In contrast, Hopkins fought in spurts against Winky Wright (who was much smaller) and basically played strategy against him.
Hopkins may own the patent to the fountain of youth, but not even he can kayo father time.
THE LAST ROUND. It’s on my hardworking and talented kumpare Edwin Tero who celebrates his birthday this week. Cheers!
