By Dave Sholler

When promising young forward Dwight Howard donned a Superman outfit during the NBA All Star dunk competition earlier this month, I couldn’t help but to think that the 23 year-old had symbolically grabbed the slam dunk torch once held by Michael Jordan. As the Orlando Magic star soared through the air numerous times during the contest, it appeared that Howard was ready to accept the role of basketball’s bonafide rim-rattler. In essence, Howard was letting the world know that he is equipped to be the NBA’s newest comic book worthy superhero.

Like Howard, Tiger Woods assumed a similar “super” role several years ago. Having dominated the PGA much like legends Sam Snead, Arnold Palmer, and Jack Nicklaus had done decades before, the charismatic Woods solidified his place atop golf’s hierarchy by accumulating win after win.

Supermen have cropped up in other sports as well, becoming the new faces of their respective trades. In NASCAR, Jimmie Johnson is slowly grabbing the steering wheel from Jeff Gordon. In the NFL, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has shown flashes of greatness like another former Superman, Jim Brown. Likewise, Roger Federer, no slouch with the tennis racket himself, has quickly replaced the Agassi’s and Sampras’ that droves of fans used to adore.

This leads us to boxing. Throughout much of the 1990s and early 2000s, Roy Jones Jr. was the sport’s self-appointed Superman. And for the most part, he backed it up. Racking up championships like a shop-aholic accrues credit card debt, Roy Jones’ only kryptonite during this time proved to be Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson. Moreover, while other supposed superheroes (see Mike Tyson) turned out to be villains, Roy’s personality, flair, and in-ring dominance cemented his Marvel-bound greatness.

Unfortunately, Roy’s superpowers have faded with age. The same can be said of the powers of another boxing superhero, the Golden Boy Oscar De La Hoya. Even though a case can be made for semi-retired Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s heroic traits, he, like Bernard Hopkins, has preferred to play villain whenever applicable. So with that said, who is ready to be boxing’s new superhero? Which up-and-coming fighter has the style, personality, and dominance to wear the coveted “S” on his chest?

Let’s take a look at several young fighters and examine their potential to be boxing’s latest Superman or Golden Boy. Using a scale of 1 to 5 (five being the best rating), we’ll determine how these athletes fare in the areas of power, charisma, likeability, and star power. Some will clearly lack the characteristics necessary to be super. Others, as you’ll read, will have you pondering the possibilities.

Kelly “The Ghost” Pavlik
WBO, WBC Middleweight Champion
33-0 (29 KOs)
Power: 5
Charisma: 4
Likeability: 5
Star Power: 4

Just ask Jose Luis Zertuche, Edison Miranda, and Jermain Taylor how hard the Youngstown, Ohio product hits. With an 88 percent knockout ratio, there’s no doubt that Pavlik’s punching muscle is an undisputed super power. While his quiet, reserved demeanor is more Clark Kent than Superman, we all know what happens when Pavlik switches in to fight mode. Promoter Bob Arum will surely guide Pavlik’s progress and proper fight selection can only enhance the champion’s star power. Even though his nickname is villainous, Pavlik is anything but a ghostly disappearing act for foes in the middleweight division.

Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz
WBA, WBO, IBF Lightweight Champion
33-0 (17 KOs)
Power: 3
Charisma: 4
Likeability: 5
Star Power: 3

The Houston native is a breath of fresh air when it comes to humility and appreciation for the sport. These traits alone will endear Diaz to the fans, as will his dedication to education and self-improvement. Inside the ring, the cerebral Diaz isn’t the nastiest puncher in boxing, but he inflicts enough punishment to make opponents quit. The 24-year-old’s persistence to move forward is Hulk-like and his relentless approach could yield drawing power. It’s hard to argue that “Baby Bull” is a thrill to watch. After pummeling Julio Diaz for nine rounds in October, Diaz will look to turn up the heat against Nate Campbell next weekend. A future bout with the Manny Pacquiao could lie ahead.

Paul “Magic Man” Malignaggi
IBF Junior Welterweight champion
24-1 (5 KOs)
Power: 1
Charisma: 5
Likeability: 3
Star Power: 3

The perfect example of “Now you see me, now you don’t” boxing, Paulie has continually frustrated opponents with speed and jazzy footwork. Like the Invisible Man, Malignaggi has mastered the art of slippery defense and tactful, precision boxing. With that being said, he is still a woefully weak puncher, boasting just a 21 percent knockout percentage. In addition, the braggadocio’s fans either love him or hate him. While he earned tons of respect for his gusty performance against Miguel Cotto in 2006, many feel he is more bark than bite. The Magic Man may not be a superhero worldwide, but he certainly has a following in his hometown of Brooklyn, NY. The jury is still out on whether he’ll ever transcend his hometown and deliver on the promise for more knockouts though. Malignaggi - spiked hair, Gucci sunglasses, and all - may be better suited for the role of bad guy.

Andre Berto
Welterweight Contender
21-0 (18 KOs)
Power: 4
Charisma: 2
Likeability: 3
Star Power: 2

If the world is searching for a superhero with blazing speed, look no further than Andre Berto. The Miami native, affectionately known as “Flash” Berto by this writer, has a potent blend of speed and KO power that is lethal to opponents. While he cannot cut a self-promo like Mayweather or flash a million-dollar smile like Oscar De La Hoya, Berto may be the welterweight division’s best-kept secret. Once knocked for his wild approach in the ring, Berto seems to be settling down and sticking to fight game plans. Still, Berto doesn’t have name value (yet) and that largely affects his likeability score. If given the right opportunities, Berto can be a champion. Promoter Lou DiBella may have a gem on his hands.

“Bad” Chad Dawson
WBC Light Heavyweight Champion
25-0 (17 KOs)
Power: 3
Charisma: 4
Likeability: 4
Star Power: 3

While many fans have resisted the urge to jump on the Dawson bandwagon, the Connecticut-born fighter is doing his best to show he’s for real. Although he is just beginning to face upper-echelon fighters, Dawson has all of the skills to become a great 175-pounder. Like once-dominant light heavyweight Roy Jones Jr., Dawson is fast and has KO ability, yet leaves the hype game to his promotional team. Considering the aging villains that currently reside in the division, don’t be surprised if Dawson tries to retire them all. Like boxing’s version of Captain America, Dawson may try to rid the 175-pound class of the magic men (Antonio Tarver) and executioners (Bernard Hopkins) currently running wild.

Chazz “The Gentleman” Witherspoon
Heavyweight Prospect
22-0 (15 KOs)
Power: 3
Charisma: 2
Likeability: 4
Star Power: 1

Arguably the biggest reach on this list, Witherspoon is quietly climbing the heavyweight ladder. The spiritual Philadelphia-based fighter may not be the Superman of boxing, but he certainly stands the same chance of rescuing the heavyweight division as the next big man. At this point, anything is better than Klitschko-Ibragimov, right?

A smart, polite young man, Witherspoon won’t win any trash talk contests, but he comes to fight. Another Clark Kent type, the 6’4 Witherspoon will need to keep his weight in check to succeed. Nevertheless, in a helpless heavyweight division, Witherspoon may surprise many in the years to come.

Dave Sholler serves as a boxing analyst for radio stations across the country. His column runs weekly on BoxingScene.com.