Who do you want to see step it up in 2012?

Wrote up this blog for another site. Wanted some opinions on who you guys think need to finally step up their competition this year. These days it seems rare to see two unbeaten fighters test themselves against one another or sometimes even test themselves at all. Its one thing to gradually step up your level of opposition and do thing at your own pace. But it gets to a point where its time to do your business or get of the pot sort of speak. I know in most cases its not the fighters fault and their team holds them back but some times enough is enough. Below is my list of fighters who I really would like to see step it up this year and take a chance. Vanes Martirosyan After he appeared to be doing just that in 2010 with victories over Kassim Ouma and fellow undefeated prospect Joe Greene, Vanes seemed to regress in 2011. Fighting only three times against Bladimir Hernandez, Saul Roman and Richard Gutierrez. Vanes is only 25 so hes not running out of time but after 31 fights and an extensive amatuer career I think its time to get back on track in 2012. Martirosyan beat guys like Andre Berto, Austin Trout and Tim Bradley in the amatuers and all have gone on to have quicker success in the pros. I would like to see Arum get Vanes on some of his bigger fight cards this year and have him in there three or four times against some better opposition. Denis Boytsov When you talk about the next genereation of hevyeweights after the K2 era, one of the names that pops up alot is Denis Boytsov. The Russian born heavyweight now fighting out of Germany had a solid amatuer career. Compiling a record of 115-15 as an amatuer Boytsov turned pro in 2004. Denis Boytsov won his first fourteen bouts by knockout and is currently 30-0 with 25 Ko's. Denis missed some time after having surgery on his right hand to correct and old injury and has since been moving slow. After a third round knockout over former cruiserweight champion Darnell Wilson this past weekend its time for Denis Boytsov to stay active and step it up in 2012. David Rodriguez David Rodriguez is an unbeaten heavyweight prospect fighting out of El Paso Texas. Rodriguez is currently recovering from a stabbing outside of a pizza parlor in Scottsdale Arizona. His throat was cut and he needed over a hundred stitches. Surprisingly DRod is targeting a fight for May and says he is recovering well. Rodriguez is a nice guy and seems to enjoy the partying but its time to start taking this boxing thing serious in 2012. He is 36-0 with 34 Ko's and didnt have the amatuer career that most on this list did. Rodriguez had only around 10 amatuer fights depending on who you ask. After finally fighting a recognizable name in 2011 in Owen beck, I would like to see Rodriguez start to test himself by years end. Dominik Britsch Dominik Britschis a Geramn middleweight currently at 26-0 9 Ko's. Britsch was 59-10 as an amatuer. Still young at 24 yrs old., he hasnt really lived up to expectations of him as a pro. His biggest win so far is a split decision over Billy Lyell. It would be nice to see him in with another prospect in 2012 or at least some tougher competition. Deontay Wilder Deontay Wilder the only American to medal in the 2008 Olympics was maybe in a bit over his head when he turned pro. Being and American heavyweight with an Olympic medal Wilder was in the spotlight immediately. His fights where covered by numerous boxing sites and some where televised. His flaws which he has many where exposed and dissected by writers and fans alike. Wilder is now 20-0 with all 20 wins by KO and is currently working with former world champion and Olympic gold medalist Mark Breland. Breland is trying to teach Wilder how to use his reach advantage and jab and develop into a more technically sound boxer. I don't expect as much of Wilder in 2012 as I do the others on this list but he still needs to step up his level of opposition. He cant be gaining much by fighting the guys he did in 2011. With the amateur career and twenty pro fights under his belt he needs to gradually step it up and face some known journeymen this year. Peter Quillin Kid Chocalate is another fighter with little amatuer experioence having only eight fights. He is currently backed by Golden boy promotions and trained by Freddie Roach. He is 26-0 with 20 Ko's as a pro. Quillin ended 2011 with a TKO win over Craig McEwan. I would like to see him pick up where he left off and continue to step it up early in 2012.