Has the following "young" talent hit their peak already?

[-Kev-]

Donaire the 30 year old young talent

Gamboa and Rigondeux are older than him but are actually young talent. They still haven't shown their prime.

[The Big Dunn]

in don't think he'll do that. as you said, i dont think he has the dedication. the sport is a game to him. he won't be a middleweight forever. he's at his physical peak in terms of being able to weigh 160 lbs and wear guys out with his physical strength and take their best punches. he's the biggest middleweight i've ever seen.

he might look good again against the right type of opponent, but i dont think he has the dedication to make the improvements to win a fight like the one he was in against martinez

I take the other perspective:

he almost KO'd the 3rd or 4th best fighter in the world after getting high during training camp. He could end up like Shaq from 2000-03, after Duncan won the ring 1st.

You know it may take something like that.

[D-MiZe]

I wouldn't consider Donaire ' young talent '.

I think out of all of them, Khan has the biggest potential to exceed his current position.

[.:: JSFD26 ::.]

Jr - Yes unless he dedicates himself
Khan - So So
Ortiz - Yes
Rios - Probably not
Donaire - Definitely yes

They all have been or are Champions...have we seen the BEST they had to offer?? will they ever reach higher heights than were they've been?? or is it already past them??? wachugot???

My opinion.

[yuppie]

I wouldn't consider Donaire ' young talent '.

I think out of all of them, Khan has the biggest potential to exceed his current position.

I think Kahn my have Linares syndrome (or Linares has Kahn syndrome)..all the attributes but just lose fights.

[Motofan]

Jr
Khan
Ortiz
Rios
Donaire

They all have been or are Champions...have we seen the BEST they had to offer?? will they ever reach higher heights than were they've been?? or is it already past them??? wachugot???

I think so. Donaire is the only one with a chance to do anything more then he has done.

[Prince_Pugilist]

Just a little breakdown of each fighter and where they can go from here

Jr: Junior is a BIG middleweight and I think everyone knows that. He hits hard, another obvious fact. His chin is almost indestructible and his heart really can't be discounted. Under Roach he has made huge adjustments to his defence (still gets hit but not as much as he did before, seriously, watch some of his pre-Roach bouts, it's ridiculous).

However, there are still a lot of technical deficiencies, which he can't improve unless he ups his work ethic and dedication...both of which can't be taught or if they can is near impossible. Without the necessary improvements and slow handspeed, Jr has probably gone as far as he can at 160, he might beat a Geale type fighter and get another title but he really won't improve and become p4p. I think it'd be better if he moved up to 168, there are some big fights for him there, which he'd probably lose but the paydays would be HUGE.

So: Yes, he has reached his peak already


Khan: This is the toughest one to figure out, for me anyway. Khan had a massive upset loss to Prescott but the way he rebounded from that loss, took himself to LA, trained with Roach and sparred with the p4p no. 1, shows not only physical fortitude but a mental desire to change, adapt and become better.

Khan's chin, which survived an onslaught from Maidana, then the biggest puncher at 140 and a gruelling bout with Peterson, seemed to have improved but the devastating 4th round stoppage at the hands of Garcia showed me 2 things:

1. Khan's chin isn't that bad, he was hit on the neck and never fully recovered, why? Because he just didn't hold and got caught up in a brawl.

2. Khan is too headstrong and unwilling to change his come forward, almost all out agression.

It's that second point that may be his downfall, the failure of his chin is a convenient story but not entirely true for anyone who has watched his career at 140. Physically he is strong enough to take a punch, but anyone who doesn't hold when hurt, spoil, clinch etc will eventually get ko'd when they get hit like he has against Maidana, Peterson and Garcia.

Physically and talent wise, Khan can still become better, what he needs is a change of ring attitude.

So: Not quite at his peak but needs to improve defence and ring IQ.

Ortiz: He quit against Maidana, after exhibiting decent skill. He managed to put on a show of true grit, determination and bravery against Berto, which is the real Ortiz? I can't answer that question so I can't conclusively say whether or not he has or has not reached his peak. The skill is there but is the desire?

Rios: No, a most definite no. Rios is a man who employed his size to win fights at 135 but he is skilled, a good job and thunderous hooks. He throws combinations of 3-4 punches and knows how to move an opponent to where he wants.

He has been outboxed in the past and the hype surrounding him has been slightly unfair. If we take him for what he is, a skilled slugger with power and determination, someone who will most likely win and hold onto an alphabet title at 140 and possibly 147, then we will realise he hasn't yet reached his peak.

[Rome-By-Ko]

Jr
Khan
Ortiz
Rios
Donaire

They all have been or are Champions...have we seen the BEST they had to offer?? will they ever reach higher heights than were they've been?? or is it already past them??? wachugot???

I think Donaire has the most room to improve,and Khan to if he listens to Virgil Hunter...But Ortiz and Rios are what they are imo..

[pugilistprophet1994]

Jr-Yes, he's never been all that skilled and has improved about as much as he can already.
Donaire-He's still gonna accomplish more in higher weight classes perhaps.
Ortiz and Khan have a lot ahead of them, they're both young still and have determination.
Ortiz just needs to show it more. They will both be back and be champs again at 147.
Rios-He's gonna be exciting to watch for a while.

[Ray Corso]

Winning a title today doesn't mean much until longevity is applied to it! I think their just starting to prove themselves now!! Donaire has the talent lets see what happens when he needs to use more gears!! Does he have them? Is he Willin" to try and use them? Chavez is a rookie kid, his record was less than a young amatuer who fights top regional and national competition had!! He got beat, a lesson should have been learned about preparation and commitment, so we'll see!! Khan is a good boxer who needs to learn to box!! By that I mean a Kronk fighters approach who doesn't have the ONE punch but has hand & foot speed and understands that angles are his best friend. I think he has enough pop to get by and I beleive he could improve on power as he gains more confidence. If Manny was a younger guy he'd do a good job with Amir! They all need some competition with Chavez moving slightly slower to give a top twenty guy who won't fall down when touched but knows how to box. (move) We'll see!! You forgot Broner, the guy with alot of talent that needs to step up these coming two years!! He has the goods we'll see if he delivers under some pressure! Ray.