Last year we picked 10 prospects who were a little under the radar, here we review how their 2010 went.
Kubrat Pulev 10-0(5) – Since last year the talented Bulgarian has progressed well, having gone 6-0(3). Beating good opposition like Matt Skelton KO4, Domminick Guinn PTS8 & Paolo Vidoz PTS 8. Next scheduled to fight on 22 January against Yaroslav Zavorotnoyy. That shouldn’t be to much of a problem, but an interesting comparison could be drawn with Alexander Dimitrenko who vanquished Zavorotnoyy in 5 in 2010.
Ismayl Sillakh 14-0(12) – He signed with Roy Jones Jnr’s Square Ring Promotional company and got a prime spot underneath Jones-Hopkins 2 in April. He dually impressed splattering Daniel Judah in two. Judah hadn’t previously been stopped adding to the lustre. Unfortunately Square Ring’s lack of dates meant Sillakh was left on the shelf for 6 months. He finally reappeared in Bulgaria home of manager Ivalyo Gotsev winning a stay busy fight. He got back into action in America fighting Rayco Saunders and for the first time went ten rounds. Overall Sillakh was 5-0(4). Rumour is that he’ll face fellow unbeaten and another standout amateur Yordenis Despaigne of Cuba on ESPN in March in what will be a real 50-50 fight.
George Groves 11-0(9) – Had a big year, he very impressively won the Commonwealth title in April stopping tough Ghananian Charles Adamu, he closed the year stopping hard nosed Scot, Kenny Anderson in six, though he tasted the canvas for the first time himself. He also made his American debut in July when he appeared on the Marquez-Diaz 2 card. He was 4-0(4) in 2010. He’s the mandatory challenger to James Degale for the British title, in truth that is one avenue he’d probably be wise to avoid for the moment if only to let the fight marinate and become even bigger. It’s one of the most anticipated fights in Britain and would be worth a fortune to both in a few fights time.
Yudel Jhonson 9-0(6) – The Cuban didn’t break out the way he had hoped in 2010. He had a fairly busy year 5-0(4), but against limited opposition, stopping three of them in the first. At 29, with his skill and background he’ll hope he can do similar things to several of his former National team mates and fight a higher level of opposition. The next year will be a big one for Jhonson, if he’s to make a name for himself he needs to make in roads in 2011.
Keith Thurman 15-0(14) – He wasn’t as active as he had hoped fighting only three times winning all three inside the distance. The opposition was a little better but they still had no answer to his power. Outside the ring Shelly Finkel who had managed him decided to part ways with Boxing for the most part so now Thurman is being looked after by Al Haymon. He’s also back training with Dan Birmingham who used to work with him in the infancy of his career. We should know more about where Thurman’s career will take him over the next twelve months, I would expect promoter Golden Boy to ramp up the opposition and match him with a few tough journeyman who will take Thurman rounds and enable us to see if there is more to Thurman than just power punching.
Ruslan Provodnikov 17-0(11) – He fought three times in 2010, continuing his progress. Two of the fights took place in America, the first was against former world champion Javier Jauregi back in February, after a muted fight with Bredis Prescott didn’t come to pass. No matter he dutifually stopped the old warrior in 8. In May he impressively dropped Emmanuel Augustus three times before getting the ninth round TKO. Disappointingly he didn’t maintain the same pace in the second half of the year fighting only once in his hometown in Russia. He gets back to action on ESPN2 against once beaten Mauricio Herrera for the vacant USBA 140 title. Hopefully he can get a fight with someone like Juan Urango or Julio Diaz giving him the chance to break into the top 10.
Archie Ray Marquez 11-0(8) – Not the year Marquez was hoping for as he was beset by problems outside the ring. He did remain unbeatean, going 8 rounds for the first time. Whether last year was a blip or not and if he can get back to action regular in 2011 remains to be seen. Nothing scheduled at the moment though his promoter Gary Shaw hopes to get him in the ring 5 times in the new year.
Kazuto Ioka 6-0(4) – Moved much faster than anyone else on this list, so much so that last year he’d only been a pro for 8 months when he made this list. Ioka is still only 21, but with a wealth of experience from his amateur days, he’s still only had six fights, all wins with four stoppages. His next fight is for the WBC Strawweight title against Oleydong Sithsamerchai who’s 34-0-1(12). It takes place in Ioka’s homeland of Japan and Sithsamerchai has looked a vunerable over the last year, it’s still a tough ask of Ioka however.
Luis Alberto Rios 11-1-1(6)- He came into 2010, with 11 consecuative wins and at only 19 years old word out of Panama was that he had a very bright future. He didn’t have a good year though first drawing with Carlos Melo before being upset in April by Luis Carrillo. Though he did have a shoulder injury, he hasn’t been seen or heard from since so it remains to be seen if he can bounce back. He’s still young so it can lightly be done.
Carlos Buitrago 17-0(12) – Has only just turned 19 years old, has continued his development in Nicaragua. He won something called the WBA Fedecentro title, though it’s only a junior trinket it’s sure to of given the youngster confidence from which to build. It has been mentioned by some that they think “Cochorroncito” may be better than fellow gym mate Roman Gonzalez. I wouldn’t be surprised to see Prodesa his backers take him to Japan or Mexico to fight like they have with Gonzalez, all of which would be great experience for the youngster. I expect him to be fighting on the fringes of the world scene by the end of the year.
This years 10 under the radar to look out for are.
Rakhim Chakhkiev 8-0(6) – Had a strong amateur resume in which culminated with gold at the 2008 Olympics, the previous year he won silver at the World Championships. He was a Heavyweight in the amateur’s but doesn’t believe he has the size to fight there as a pro and is campaigning at Cruiserweights in the paid ranks. He turned over in October 2009 and has progressed quickly winning all 8 in total, going 5-0(3) 2010. He’s alligned with Universum and trained by Michael Timm. Turns 28 in mid January and with his amateur credentials he should progress well in the new year.
Lateef Kayode 15-0(14) – The former Nigerian soldier has progressed well since relocating to L.A to work at the Wild Card gym under the expert tutelage of Freddie Roach, he’s managed by Steven Feder and recently signed with Gary Shaw’s promotional company who will get him regular TV exposure in the coming year. It’s a big year for Kayode, he needs to move from prospect to contender. Could fight next on 4 February.
Dominic Wade 9-0(7) – The Heavy handed Maryland prospect is still only 20 years old. In the later part of 2010 he moved upto 6 rounds though it made little difference as experienced Troy Lowry 27-9 was brushed aside easily inside a round. Nicknamed “The Blade” he’s still working his way out whether he’ll fight at Middleweight or Super Middleweight. Looked after by Prizefighter and trained & managed by Barry Hunter who also looks after both Lamont & Anthony Peterson. He won 4 consecuative Silver gloves championships in the amateurs, becoming only the second fighter to ever achieve this after Oscar De La Hoya.
Bastie Samir 7-0(7) – Sprang to prominence with a strong showing at the 2007 Worlds and then the 2008 Olympics where he fought for his country Ghana up at Light Heavyweight. In one of his matches he hit one of his opponents so hard he broke his headgear off. When he turned pro under the expert guidance of Cameron Dunkin he dropped down to Middleweight where his power is even more effective. Initially he fought and quickly moved to 3-0 before he went back to Ghana and had problems getting back into America. After 18months his team managed to sort the problems and brought him back to Las Vegas where he now trains with veteran Kenny Adams who will teach him he subtle nuances of the game. Expect him to be busy in 2011 fighting on Golden Boy shows.
Jonathan Gonzalez 11-0(11) – Has kept out of the limelight despite a perfect 11-0(11) record. Fought at the 2008 Olympics for Puerto Rico, without medalling. He’s already fighting 8 rounders, so far going only 6 due to his power. Nicknamed “Mantequilla” he’s still only 21, and fights at Welterweight, though recently been as high as 155 so perhaps may settle at Light Middleweight. Promoted by Gary Shaw who will hope Gonzalez can follow countryman Felix Trinidad or Miguel Cotto who have in recent years made a big impression at 147 & 154.
Sergei Rabchanka 15-0(11) – The Belarrusian broke through this year, he started the year as a faceless guy with a good record but finished it with an impressive win over Roman Dzuman KO6. He’s looked after by serial European stalwart manager/agent Philippe Fondu who believes the Light Middleweight to be the most gifted guy he’s worked with. He may appear in Britain as he is promoted by Ricky Hatton’s promotional company, hopefully he will be back in action in the first quarter of 2011.
Michael Finney 6-0(6) – Another youngster, only recently turned 19 who originally hails from Smith Station, Alabama but now lives in Pahrump, near Las Vegas where he like Samir works with Cameron Dunkin and trains with Kenny Adams and fights under the Golden Boy banner. He fights are the early 140’s so will likely develop into a Welterweight as he continue’s. Reminds me of a young Kelly Pavlik, in that he’s tall and powerful. Will be kept busy in 2011 while he develops his game.
Randy Caballero 6-0(4) – Of Nicaraguan decent but born and bread in Southern Californian hotbed of Coachella where he was one of America’s best young amateur’s winning 9 National titles going 167-10 in total. He opted to turn professional and also signed with talent spotter extrordinaire Cameron Dunkin who signed him with Golden Boy. Competes at Super Bantamweight and seems to have a very bright future. Next in action on 14 January in Indio near his hometown.
Alexei Collardo 13-0(13) – The young Cuban Super Bantamweight moved to Ireland along with Luis Garcia & Mike Perez but appears the better of the 3. Has a strong amateur pedigree winning the Flyweight title in 2006 World Junior title. So far despite several attempts to get him rounds he has stepped up and stopped everybody including former world champion Felix Machado KO5 & world title challenger Cristian Faccio KO4. It’ll be interesting to see what his next move is whether his people are able to back him further and bring other big names to Ireland and possibly make Collardo a champion. Seems to be talented enough and still on 22. What happens when his opponent comes to win and hits back remains to be seen.
Carlos Cuadras 18-0(16) – Is seen by some as one of Mexico’s potential stars of the future. He opperates at Super Flyweight where over the next 12 months he should be able to make a push for a world title. Not known by many because to date he hasn’t fought in America, so far all but 3 of his fights have taken place in Mexico. He is alligned with Japanese Promoter Teikken so has fought there on those three occassions. International competion will allow “The Prince” to gain vital experience on the road. The 22 year old had a solid amateur career winning the 2007 Pan-Am Games at Bantamweight then competing in the World Championship later that year. I expect him to continue to develop and crack the top ten in the next year.
Thoughts and observations – Deepest sympathy’s to the family of Bennie Briscoe one of the Best fighters to never win a world title he passed away on Tuesday aged 67…Super Middleweight prospect Edwin Rodriguez looked impressive back in November scoring his career best win stopping son of a legend James McGirt in nine. He got himself in terrific shape sparring with the likes of Carl Froch, Jean Pascal & Daniel Geale. That bodes well for him for the future. He’ll be back on 14 January on ESPN against another son of a legend Aaron Pryor Jr 15-2(11) If he keeps this up he’ll be swapping his nickname from “LA Bomba” to “The Legend Killer”…The 175 unification between Jurgen Braehmer & Beibut Shumenov has kind of gone under the radar, that should be a pretty entertaining fight.