By Jake Donovan/Cliff Rold
With seventeen weight classes, the game of divisional hot and cold change faster than ever. Today’s boring division can be infused with just one or two extra names and suddenly become a place all fans are paying attention to.
At Featherweight, the recipe is clear.
Take one long reigning titlist, mix in a burgeoning star, add a dab of hot new contender and, voila, 126 lbs. is a hot spot again. The U.S. debut of Chris John in 2009 has led into 2010’s rise from Jr. Featherweight of Juan Manuel Lopez and the emergence of Yuriorkis Gamboa. It is easy to envision tickets sold, hot crowds, and wealth created in the near future.
Can the rest of the division keep up?
Let the discussion begin.
World Featherweight Champion: Vacant
Donovan: The best case scenario while awaiting a Juan Manuel Lopez-Yuriorkis Gamboa showdown is that Arum makes good on his promise to include Chris John on the tour. A John-JuanMa clash is the quickest path to filling the years-long vacancy atop the division. Should Arum instead have Gamboa face John, then we’re still waiting on JuanMa-Gamboa to determine featherweight supremacy.
Rold: Gamboa-John makes the most sense from a boxing politics standpoint. John was named the WBA ‘s Super champion, despite never having unified any other belts, and Gamboa now stands as the WBA’s ‘other’ titlist. Lengthy vacancies are rarely good, but Gamboa needs a win which legitimizes him as more than a fighter who looks like a world-class Featherweight. John fits the bill. Top Rank’s Bob Arum was a big part of the Superfight’s of the early 1980 at Welterweight. The period peaked with Ray Leonard-Tommy Hearns and the haul for that one wasn’t hurt one iota by Leonard splitting a pair with Roberto Duran. Gamboa-Lopez is a great destination, but without John involved the journey would suck.
1. Chris John (43-0-2, 22 KO, WBA Super, 12 Defenses)
Last Contest: September 19, 2009, UD12 #7 Rocky Juarez (28-5-1, 20 KO)
Next Contest: TBA
Rold: Indonesia’s John is one those guys it’s easy to underrate. He does a lot of things well and is an excellent defensive fighter. By coming to America last year, John increased his profile in ways that should be profitable in 2010. Given his lengthy tenure and relative quality of opposition, while he may not be THE champion, John remains the man to beat. While the scoring of his 2006 win over Juan Manuel Marquez was highly debatable, John was certainly competitive with the Mexican great. Marquez, combined with wins over Osamu Sato, Derrick Gainer, Hiroyuki Enoki, and Juarez give him, by far, the best resume at 126 lbs. Despite excitement about a potential showdown between Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa, until one of them defeats John they are fighting for second best.
Donovan: It wasn’t a bad year at all for John, who put to rest the myth that he’s just another unspectacular overseas champion. But then, such rumors were started by those who have never seen him fight in the first place. Forget the 1-0-1 record in ‘09; John deserved to have his hand raised in both fights with Rocky Juarez. Top Rank alleges a willingness to put Juan Manuel Lopez and Yuriorkis Gamboa up against him. Perhaps it’s means to avoid responding to demands for a JuanMa-Gamboa showdown. Perhaps they actually mean it. The latter would be a beautiful thing, but look for Golden Boy (John’s stateside promoter) to find ways to keep him in the public spotlight in the meantime.
2. Juan Manuel Lopez (28-0, 25 KO, WBO, 0 Defenses)
Last Contest: January 23, 2010, TKO7 #5 Steven Leuvano (37-2-1, 15 KO)
Next Contest: TBA
Donovan: What a difference four pounds makes. Lopez looked like crap in his last fight at 122, starting strong and ending wrong in barely outlasting journeyman Rogers Mtagwa. Four pounds later, his first featherweight title fight results in a thorough thrashing of the highly capable Steven Luevano. More importantly (from a marketing standpoint), Lopez continues to grow into the next Puerto Rican superstar Top Rank believed would always be the case. The featherweight division has been starving for star power for quite some time. JuanMa’s arrival is right on time.
Rold: Luevano was an outstanding win for Lopez but it’s worth noting that Lopez, after a war with Rogers Mtagwa, was maneuvered towards a beltholder who couldn’t punch. It doesn’t take away from dominating a quality fighter, but Lopez’s career has been carefully picked over the last two years. Following his 122 lb. title win over Daniel Ponce De Leon, there was buzz about a pound-for-pound player. It’s still there, but it was hard to miss how soft his title defenses were at 122. Mtagwa was an accident. Still, wins over De Leon, Gerry Penalosa, and Luevano don’t come from anything less than a really good fighter. How good is the question and, because Lopez remains easy to hit, one wonders how he’ll handle his next real physical threat.
3. Cristobal Cruz (39-11-2, 23 KO, IBF, 3 Defenses)
Last Contest: December 19, 2009, Tech. Decision 3 Ricardo Castillo (38-7-1, 25 KO)
Next Contest: February 19, 2010 vs. Ricardo Castillo
Rold: Cruz is one of those rough Mexican veterans it’s hard not to like. He’s not a great fighter, but he’s good enough to make some great looking fights. His rematch win over Jorge Solis last year was one of the dirtiest fights of 2009, but it was also a win and entertaining throughout. Cruz is in a unique position. Matched correctly, he can hold his belt for a while and rack up some defenses. If the money were right, he could possibly be lured into unification contests with Gamboa or Lopez, fights he probably would not win but where he would be live enough to answer more questions about the young bucks.
Donovan: Cruz is the latest example of why in many ways, belts still matter. Make no mistake; Cruz will fight you regardless of what’s at stake. But that alphabet trinket gives him that little extra bargaining chip, which should help land him in the heart of the JuanMa/Gamboa sweepstakes. One true champ is a lovely thing; in the absence of that, unified titlists always make an acceptable alternative. Whether Cruz leaves such a fight with two belts, or nothing but the long awaited payday he’s forever pursued, 2010 should prove to be a lucrative year indeed – if he keeps winning, which has never been a given in his roller coaster career.
4. Elio Rojas (22-1, 13 KO, WBC, 1 Defense)
Last Contest: February 20, 2010, UD12 vs. Guty Espadas Jr. (45-8, 28 KO)
Next Contest: TBA
Donovan: Rojas sprinted to can’t-miss status early in his career, but looked vulnerable the moment he stepped up. To be honest, it’s hard to gauge whether or not he’s for real and has moved all the way on from his shocking loss to Gamaliel Diaz 2½ years ago – all that’s followed are wins against opponents he probably should’ve beaten anyway. More of the same can be said for his alphabet defense against badly faded (though some will argue, resurging) former champ Guty Espadas Jr. The kid can box like a dream, but the jury is still out on exactly what level he can hang.
Rold: Rojas is a place where the depth of Featherweight can be questioned and, ultimately, begin to be determined. If Cruz is the sort veteran who can gauge where the presumed talent really is, Rojas is the sort who could emerge as a spoiler. Dominating Aoh, in Japan, spoke to a fighter getting over a rough passage but Aoh can’t punch. He’s got the requisite Hector Velasquez win everyone at Featherweight seems to get eventually. As Mr. Donovan notes, there’s no certainty with this fighter, so it’s wait and see.
5. Steven Luevano (37-2-1, 15 KO)
Last Contest: January 23, 2010, TKO by 7 #2 Juan Manuel Lopez (28-0, 25 KO)
Next Contest: TBA
Rold: Luevano, previously rated at number two, could have dropped farther after his loss to Lopez but no one else really has any serious top ten wins to counter him right now. The loss was just one of those nights. He did the things he was supposed to do. He punched in the gaps Lopez gave him, worked the jab, shot the right. Unfortunately for him, he didn’t have the strength or power to slow his man and that was all she wrote. It may be that Luevano has peaked. There are fighters he can beat on this list, maybe even a Cruz for a belt, but he’s not getting by John or Gamboa and Lopez has already made his statement.
Donovan: It’s hard to not feel bad for Luevano, whose entire title reign was spent on pay-per-view undercards – which means you either caught ‘em live, or not at all. The one time he’s finally afforded an expanded audience, he catches a beatdown against JuanMa. There is still time for the highly skilled Californian to bounce back, although he may find himself moving sideways for a while. As Cliff mentioned, he’ll be stuck behind the top three for a while, and may have to wait for them to beat each other and for the last man standing to move on (and up) before making another run towards the top.
6. Yuriorkis Gamboa (17-0, 15 KO, WBA, 2 Defenses)
Last Contest: January 23, 2010, TKO2 Rogers Mtagwa (26-14-2, 18 KO)
Next Contest: TBA
Donovan: All you need to know about the confidence has in Lopez and Gamboa is in discussion for future fights: while at 122, Top Rank wanted no part of Celestino Caballero when it came to preserving Juan Manuel Lopez’ reign, yet the Panamanian’s name immediately came up as a possible summer opponent for Gamboa. Yes, ladies and gentleman – Gamboa is THAT good. It’s not tough to envision the scenario where we’re referring to him as the best featherweight in the world by this time next year.
Rold: By this time next year? Were Gamboa to get and beat Caballero, particularly if he went through him in style, it’s easy to envision wanting to rate him the best in the next six months. It’s the power of comparison shopping. He’d have beaten the man Lopez almost lost to and the man Lopez could be perceived as ducking. Gamboa’s walk through Mtagwa, after Lopez’s struggle, was textbook fight building which obscures the obvious: Gamboa did what he was supposed to do. His God-given gifts…it’s hard not to get that feeling of awe supplied once by the young Roy Jones, Meldrick Taylor, or Mike Tyson. However, when a fighter’s best win is arguably Darling Jimenez a pause is still in order. In a world without multiple WBA belts, Gamboa wouldn’t be anywhere near the word ‘champion’ yet because he hasn’t beaten a serious contender yet. Gamboa is evidence of the good and bad of seventeen weight classes. They can get hot in a hurry with just a few names but this is exhibit A on how hard depth is to come by. If the division had ten real contenders, Gamboa would have a hard time cracking the list. It doesn’t mean he’s not ready for that level or that he won’t win when the chance comes. It just means he’s still more a product of potential than proof.
7. Rocky Juarez (28-5-1, 20 KO)
Last Contest: September 19, 2009, L12 #1 Chris John (43-0-2, 22 KO)
Next Contest: TBA
Rold: In this era of ‘who wants a belt,’ Juarez has had five straight up shots, one interim crack, and no wins to show for it. Much of that speaks to the quality of opposition he’s faced. His losses have come to Humberto Soto, Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), Juan Manuel Marquez and now John (who he drew with earlier in 2009). Often too hesitant when he needs to be aggressive, Juarez came close in the first Barrera and John fights and had John reeling late in the rematch when he finally let his hands go. Had he been moved just to win belts, Juarez could have had one by now but he tried for more than that. He didn’t fight second-tier guys for jewelry; he went after the very best and came up short. Only 29, he still has time to at least put the shine on his trophy case before he’s done.
Donovan: Juarez’ biggest problem is that while, yes, all of his losses came against top-shelf competition, where are the notable wins? I can accept his hanging around and receiving additional shots if he were beating the best of the rest, but he’s not. The two wins to point to in his career – a controversial nod over Zahir Raheem (more than six years ago) and a badly faded and inactive Jorge Barrios. Even if he were to beat a Cristobal Cruz, such a win would only point to there being way too many alphabet titles more so than validating his career – and I’m not sure I see him beating anyone else ranked ahead of him. Career bridesmaid is how I envision the rest of his days playing out.
8. Takahiro Aoh (18-2-1, 8 KO)
Last Contest: December 18, 2009, UD10 Feider Viloria (22-6-1, 15 KO)
Next Contest: TBA
Donovan: Aoh is a bit of a wild card in the division. He looked great in the rematch with Oscar Larios, making all of the right adjustments to avoid the controversial outcome of their first fight. Then came the Rojas fight, which had to leave you wondering if the Larios rematch was an aberration. The jury is still out on the 25-year old southpaw, though his next big fight may come at super featherweight, where he’s already ranked in the top three in one alphabet organization.
Rold: Aoh isn’t a big puncher but he’s shown himself a world class battler. No, he’s not really a threat to the top of the class and was badly outclassed by Rojas in losing his WBC belt. However, prior to that, he drew with fellow Japanese contender Hiroyuki Enoki and could easily have gotten the decision against Oscar Larios the first time. Aoh could be a factor for the next few years.
9. Bernabe Concepcion (28-3-1, 15 KO)
Last Contest: February 13, 2010, UD10 Mario Santiago (21-2-1, 14 KO)
Next Contest: TBA
Rold: This spot was occupied by Santiago until ten rounds with Concepcion flipped the script. Now, the Filipino follows his best victory to date with another Puerto Rican, having earned a crack at the WBO’s 126 lb. belt. Santiago gave him a hard night; Juan Manuel Lopez promises even more trouble. A southpaw with a quick straight left, Concepcion can make it interesting. The 22-year old will get a chance in the ring, probably in June, to show whether he can do even more than that.
Donovan: Concepcion was my first “Exclusions” pick prior to February 13. Easy to say in retrospect, but his “upset” of Santiago was an easy one to call. Good for Concepcion, who bounces back well from the DQ loss to Luevano, having fought the then-titlist on even terms to that point. Great win over Santiago, but he’ll find JuanMa to be a different animal altogether. Win or lose in June, Concepcion should figure to be a player and at the very least, a tough out for nearly everyone in the division.
10. Daniel Ponce De Leon (38-2, 32 KO)
Last Contest: February 20, 2010 vs. Orlando Cruz (16-2-1, 7 KO)
Next Contest: TBA
Donovan: The story will always stay the same for the free-swinging Mexican. He’ll go as far as his punch can take him, but his questionable chin and non-existent defense could have him in a world of trouble against the latest crop of top featherweights. He only creeps into the Top 10 due to Jorge Solis exiting in favor of a campaign at 130. How long he lasts depends on how well he’s matched.
Rold: De Leon at ten probably answers the question posed up top for now. Can the rest of the division keep up with John, Lopez, and Gamboa? Right now, the answer is probably not. De Leon is a fun fighter but not really a good one. De Leon was a first round knockout victim against Lopez at 122 and lost almost every round to Caballero there in a decision prior to that. De Leon is taking up space while some of the men in the exclusions section get towards proving themselves or coming up the scale. As will be seen below, there is a possibility for a truly strong top ten in the year ahead.
Exclusions?
Rold: Near the bottom, cases could be made for Martin Honorio (27-4-1, 14 KO) or Juan Carlos Burgos (24-0, 17 KO) but both feel fine on the outside; Chonlatarn Piriyapinyo (33-0, 19 KO) is worth keeping an eye on. Santiago could certainly have stayed in at ten. The most interesting possibility for the division is a man who hasn’t made a case to be rated yet but could before the year is out. Unified 122 lb. titlist Celestino Caballero (33-2, 23 KO, WBA Super/IBF) has called Juan Manuel Lopez out repeatedly and can’t see much income coming in at Jr. Featherweight…at least in comparison to what can be had at Featherweight. It’s got to be only a matter of time before the lanky near 6-footer makes the jump.
Donovan: A trio of faded action heroes in Israel Vazquez (44-4, 32 KO), Rafael Marquez (38-5, 34 KO), and Jhonny Gonzalez (42-7, 36 KO) bring notoriety to the table, though tough to argue that anything they’ve done in the past year or so warrants consideration. Ryol Li Lee (15-1-1, 8 KO) advanced to bubble status with last summer’s upset of Hiroyuki Enoki, but still another win or two away from making the cut.
For BoxingScene’s latest full divisional ratings, log on to: https://www.boxingscene.com/forums/view.php?pg=boxing-ratings
Jake Donovan is the Managing Editor of Boxingscene.com and an award-winning member of the Boxing Writers Association of America. Contact Jake at JakeNDaBox@gmail.com ; Cliff Rold is a member of the Ring Magazine Ratings Advisory Panel and the Boxing Writers Association of America. He can be reached at roldboxing@hotmail.com
