By Sammy Rozenberg

We are past the halfway mark in 2006, some fighters have broken through the ranks and others have been knocked off the ladder. There are a few fighters that have already made some positive noise in 2006. All of them are bound to be major players in their respective weight divisions, and some are already considered as such.

Critics say the sport is dying because of it's lack of new talentsand marketable fighters. Those same critics should sit down one night and watch some of the below talents in action, their positions will quickly change.

1. Antonio Margarito (33-4, 24KOs) – The legend of the WBO welterweight champion has grown by leaps and bounds in 2006. Margarito is on the brink of superstar status, but needs that one marquee fight to put him over the edge. Loved by hardcore boxing fans for his willingness to take on all comers, and his aggressive nature in the ring.

The constant pursuit of fighters like Floyd Mayweather and Winky Wright has only increased his popularity and standing among the best fighters in the welterweight division. After failed bids of $8 million dollars to fight Floyd Mayweather and $4 million dollars to face Winky Wright, Margarito is ready to move on with his career.

If his promoter, Bob Arum, can properly market the most avoided man in the lower weight divisions, he could gain a future Mexican superstar to take the place of Erik Morales, who is one loss away from possible retirement.

2. Brian Viloria (19-0, 12KOs) – The WBC light flyweight champion is showing boxing fans that Manny Pacquiao is not the only Filipino fighter to pack a punch. A skilled boxer with knockout power, the former Olympian is ready to take his career to the next step.

After winning a world title, the hunger of Viloria to be the best has only intensified.  A superfight with Jorge Arce could be the key to superstar paradise, and the added flavor of the Mexico-Philippines rivalry involved in the fight would produce dollar signs for all.

3. Paul Williams (30-0, 22KOs)– The welterweight prospect is making a lot of noise in his weight division. The exciting style comprised of a high punch output and knockout power has the streets talking. The new young stallion of the welterweights is not looking for the easy road to the top. He wants all of the top names at 147, including Antonio Margarito.

He possesses the physical makeup and punching power of Thomas Hearns, and the comparisons with Hearns have been rampant. A fight has been set with former champion Sharmba Mitchell. A good test for the kid in a fight set up as nothing more than a coming out party to display his talents.

4. Miguel Cotto (27-0, 22KOs)– If there is one man in the sport who could take the place of Arturo Gatti, Cotto may be that man. When Cotto first entered the sport, there were instant comparisons with fellow Puerto Rican fighter Felix Trinidad. After a do or die battle with Ricardo Torres, comparisons were quickly being made with Arturo Gatti.

Cotto is taking the next step in his career by moving up the welterweight division in search of big money and big fights. He has the skill, the size and the strength to be successful, but ironically it’s his chin or lack of I should say, that has made his fights into must-see television. He’s been hit. He’s been hurt. He’s been down. But, just when you think he is going to lose, he comes back to stop his opponent.

5. Calvin Brock (29-0, 22KOs) – Regarded by some as the best American heavyweight in the sport. The time draws near for a title shot and Brock feels he is ready to take on any of the current champions. While most of the boxing public has focused it’s attention to the senior citizens of the heavyweight division, Brock sneaked his way in to slowly build up his name.

He might not be the biggest man at his weight, but his skill and power make up for his physical shortcomings.

6. Arthur Abraham (21-0, 17KOs) – The IBF middleweight champion is quickly becoming a top force within his division. Piling up a string of impressive victories in his young career has made heads turn. At only 26-years-old, Abraham already holds victories over Howard Eastman, Kingsley Ikeke, Kofi Jantuah and Shannan Taylor.

Not one to sit on his recent successes and take an easy fight, Abraham is set to face undefeated Edison Miranda (26-, 23KOs) in August. Miranda is one of the most dangerous fighters in the middleweight division and the winner of their scrap should prove to be the biggest threat to top middleweights Jermain Taylor and Winky Wright.

7. Chad Dawson (23-0, 15KOs) – The next generation of light heavyweights, Dawson wants to start his own era in a wide open division ruled by Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver for a number of years. The time of Jones and Tarver have passed. Dawson is ready to take the torch by force.

After suffering a knockdown in his recent win over veteran Eric Harding, Dawson came off the canvas to dominate Harding for the rest of the fight. Some are already calling him the future of the light heavyweights, only time will tell.