Comments Thread For: Analyzing the state of Puerto Rican boxing

[BoxingUpdates]

Puerto Rico has a rich boxing tradition, and BoxingScene is taking a look at the current titleholders, contenders, up-and-comers, and veterans from the island.?
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[STREET CLEANER]

PR boxing is not what it once was. Nothing really outstanding at this moment and plenty of room for a break out fighter from that pack.

[lilacp]

I was excited to read this article but it's clearly AI-based superficial slop. There is actually no real analysis about the potential of the boxers that are mentioned, forget a look at what's driving Puerto Rican boxing, how it's an uphill battle because the infrastructures are not there anymore for it.

And some of the slop here is risible: "Zayas is the future of Puerto Rican boxing"; "Zayas is someone who fans have witnessed throughout his career. He is now approaching his prime where he will take his impactful fights, cementing his legacy."

If you ask Puerto Rican hardcore fans, you will hear a lot of questions about Zayas. Aside from the fact that he is a paper champion, he is unproven and has looked vulnerable at times against middling opposition. He may well lose in his next fight or two.

And Henry Lebrón is hardly a "fantastic" boxer. He squeaked by Pitufo Díaz (it could be said he should have lost), who is not exactly a world-beater. I don't see Lebrón beating any of the top contenders at 130 unless he learns some defensive skills.

Aside from the lighter weights (Oscar Collazo!), I don't really see any Trinidads or Cottos coming out soon. The golden age of Puerto Rican boxing is no more.

I also have issues with not including the US-born Puerto Ricans. We Puerto Ricans identify first as Puerto Ricans no matter where we are born and raised. No one says Puerto Rican-American, we just say Puerto Rican or Boricua. Part of it has to do that most of us travel back and forth a lot to the islands; many of our famiiy members are still there. It's easy because we have US citizenship, and it's a pretty cheap flight from the east coast, where most of us live.

[ELPacman]

PR needs a real star. Zayas isn't cutting it for me. He's like Felix Verdejo without the dark side. Athletic, Okay speed, Okay power. Nothing really that stands out. The last big stars for me were definitely Trinidad and Cotto and you knew what both were all about. Trinidad had a crazy vicious left hook that you just waited for it to land and knew someone was getting hurt. Cotto had either the left hook to the body, or the nonstop relentless pressure that absolutely wrecked opponents at 140lbs. Not quite the same up at 147lbs, but massive heart in all the wars he put on. Kind of like a Puerto Rican Gatti. You knew you were going to be entertained.

Collazo is good, but to be honest, I'm not excited much with him. Probably because of the lighter weight.

[SouthpawRight]

PR needs a real star. Zayas isn't cutting it for me. He's like Felix Verdejo without the dark side. Athletic, Okay speed, Okay power. Nothing really that stands out. The last big stars for me were definitely Trinidad and Cotto and you knew what both were all about. Trinidad had a crazy vicious left hook that you just waited for it to land and knew someone was getting hurt. Cotto had either the left hook to the body, or the nonstop relentless pressure that absolutely wrecked opponents at 140lbs. Not quite the same up at 147lbs, but massive heart in all the wars he put on. Kind of like a Puerto Rican Gatti. You knew you were going to be entertained.

Collazo is good, but to be honest, I'm not excited much with him. Probably because of the lighter weight.

Collazo is the lightest weight available 105 pounds

that’s smaller than Asian women

[SouthpawRight]

Ricans are a small population so it could take decades before we see another Miguel

in the meantime Shakur Stevenson

[archiemoore1]

The average Puerto Rican I ask who they consider the greatest Puerto Rican boxer ever, most say Trinidad. I think many, especially this generation, don't know boxing history, even of boxers from the Island. I met Carlos Ortiz before, and I'd have to rate him near the top, but the Island produced so many great champions, it's hard to say who was the best. Camacho was from my neighborhood. I'd see him drive by, then immediately, I'd go for a run. Seeing him made me feel proud to be from east harlem, even though I'm not Puerto Rican. But you had Juan LaPorte, Jose Torres, Cocoa Kid, Sixto Escobar, El Torito de Cayey (pedro montanez), Cotto, and the list goes on. Puerto Rico made some great boxers throughout history

[ShoulderRoll]

Shakur Stevenson should be at the top of the list.

[SouthpawRight]

Shakur Stevenson should be at the top of the list.

maybe start using its flag too to build up his fanbase

[Malvado]

Guess Amanda Serrano, Emmanuel Rodríguez and Jonathan Gonzalez held the sport for them short after Miguel Cotto was on the downslide.

Quite like Collazo and Matias. Though not sure if the former will the big backing as I don't he be that successful moving up. And Matias is to stay for a good time, not a long one.

Zayas has to prove more right now, so it be too soon to dismiss him, but he doesn't look like this p4p fighters or difficult to beat champion.