Who is the lightweight heir apparent?

[Autobarn]

Right now we have 2 major world champs, Casamayor and Campbell. The likes of Marquez, Guzman and Pac will be gunning for them (we'll know more about Pac at 135 after David Diaz).

Lots of excellent old fighters, but they won't last forever.

There are 4 young fighters who have captured some attention. Amir Khan (Commonwealth champion), Urbano Antillon (rock hard Mexican), Anthony Peterson (WBO#1 contender) & Yuri Romanov (former European champion). They either have the talent, the seasoning OR the connections to get there.

While there are other promising names on the way up, in the UK, in the US (a GBP prospect, forgot his name, someone Khan beat in the amas) these four guys aren't far off from fighting for a world crown - if they want to go for it.

Who is the most likely to become a strong lightweight world champion?



(Figured this is ok for a British topic as Romanov was in the British rankings not long ago and has cleaned out much of the UK scene while Khan is one of the biggest UK names, obviously).

[stujones]

I can see all four being titlists but maybe not long standing champions. I think the there could be a good series of matches - they all have their strengths and weaknesses.

There are a few others maybe worth a mention - although I have never seen them fight.

Jorge Luis Teron age 23 - 21(14)-0

Humberto Gutierrez age 19 23 (19) - 1.

I thought Vincente Escobedo was going to be the bomb - but I think he can go alongside my Xavier Toliver as a prediction for the top that ended up just being embarrising.

[Captain Hook]

Right now we have 2 major world champs, Casamayor and Campbell. The likes of Marquez, Guzman and Pac will be gunning for them (we'll know more about Pac at 135 after David Diaz).

Lots of excellent old fighters, but they won't last forever.

There are 4 young fighters who have captured some attention. Amir Khan (Commonwealth champion), Urbano Antillon (rock hard Mexican), Anthony Peterson (WBO#1 contender) & Yuri Romanov (former European champion). They either have the talent, the seasoning OR the connections to get there.

While there are other promising names on the way up, in the UK, in the US (a GBP prospect, forgot his name, someone Khan beat in the amas) these four guys aren't far off from fighting for a world crown - if they want to go for it.

Who is the most likely to become a strong lightweight world champion?



(Figured this is ok for a British topic as Romanov was in the British rankings not long ago and has cleaned out much of the UK scene while Khan is one of the biggest UK names, obviously).

Amir Khan........I think he will learn from the Gomez fight.

[Autobarn]

I like the look of Antillon. Stopped Bobby Pac in 1 round. Fast, good infighter, applies excellent pressure.

[Wales]

How manuy of his fights are accessible 'barn?


Cant beat a good mexican, well, you can if you've got balls of steel, horse shoes in your gloves and a chin of granite.

[Poncey]

I'm doing a LW update once this weekend is over. Peterson is fighting at 140 now and Julio Diaz appears to be too as his next fight is at 138, and he came in over at 139.2.

Antillon is the one to watch for me. Edner Cherry has been on a good run of late.

[Autobarn]

How manuy of his fights are accessible 'barn?


Cant beat a good mexican, well, you can if you've got balls of steel, horse shoes in your gloves and a chin of granite.

Got about 4 of 'em being sent to me and have the latest - vs Cruz - on DVD. Impressive looking fighter. Quite fast as well.

Think he would give Khan big problems in a small ring. Just the fighter to push Romanov back and wear the Belarussian down.

Hopefully he can turn into the fighter that Juan Diaz isn't. Diaz looked formidable but didn't like someone standign up to him (Campbell). But this Antillon's from the old country, where they breed 'em tough and nasty.

[WildWaylon]

I can see all four being titlists but maybe not long standing champions. I think the there could be a good series of matches - they all have their strengths and weaknesses.

There are a few others maybe worth a mention - although I have never seen them fight.

Jorge Luis Teron age 23 - 21(14)-0

Humberto Gutierrez age 19 23 (19) - 1.

I thought Vincente Escobedo was going to be the bomb - but I think he can go alongside my Xavier Toliver as a prediction for the top that ended up just being embarrising.

Could Khan join them? No real proof just yet that Khan is better than Euro level.

[Poncey]

I can see all four being titlists but maybe not long standing champions. I think the there could be a good series of matches - they all have their strengths and weaknesses.

There are a few others maybe worth a mention - although I have never seen them fight.

Jorge Luis Teron age 23 - 21(14)-0

Humberto Gutierrez age 19 23 (19) - 1.

I thought Vincente Escobedo was going to be the bomb - but I think he can go alongside my Xavier Toliver as a prediction for the top that ended up just being embarrising.

Could Khan join them? No real proof just yet that Khan is better than Euro level.

Rafael has said some kind words Gutierrez and I've read some glowing reviews about him although they said he's a bit one dimensional.

[Old bones Ian]

I like Peterson, but its a tough call as all those boxers mentioned could get to the top, all have the talent.
Hopefully we will get to see them take on each other, but in these days of many titles that might not happen.

Khan is a little way off taking these guys on.

[josh fg]

I suspect if Khan wins a title he'll move up quite quickly and not hang around to be dominant in the devision as he is already looking a bit to big at the weight. I also think that is about 4 or 5 fights away.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Expect Gamboa to jump weight and get in the mix soon enough despite him now chasing titles at 126

[Autobarn]

I think there's going to be an opening for a young fighter soon.

Casa v Marquez - Casa has only got 1 good fight lef tin him, if that. Marquez will be bloated at 135 and the scar tissue will let him down.

Campbell v Guzman - Guzman too small IMO, and lacks the power at 135 (he fought Jauregei over the super featherweight limit if I recall corrently). Campbell maybe has some good fights left in him but could he be outhustled by a younger, or bigger, or faster man?

Let these older fighters and blown up featherweights keep fighting each other & the ranks will narrow down before you know it.

Light welterweight looked like there was no room for Ricky Hatton - Tszyu, Mitchell, Judah, Harris, Gatti & Mayweather for instance and look what happened there.

[Poncey]

Expect Gamboa to jump weight and get in the mix soon enough despite him now chasing titles at 126

Unlikely mate. He struggles to get his weight up to 128lbs according to his Management Team. Be a while before he has to go up to 135.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

Expect Gamboa to jump weight and get in the mix soon enough despite him now chasing titles at 126

Unlikely mate. He struggles to get his weight up to 128lbs according to his Management Team. Be a while before he has to go up to 135.

Haven't they talked about him fighting Pacquaio at 135 already though? BTW mate any inside gossip send me a PM

I reckon Gamboa is a bit Khan esque to be honest from what I've seen, quite upright defensively, low hands with his chin in the air. Why do top amateurs not use much head movement? Or is it just head movement in general is a top level skill that isn't easy to master? Speaking of which Khan should have been able to time Gomez's head movement, very predicatble, then again Frazier and Hagler had predictable head movement and got away with it most of their careers.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

I think there's going to be an opening for a young fighter soon.

Casa v Marquez - Casa has only got 1 good fight lef tin him, if that. Marquez will be bloated at 135 and the scar tissue will let him down.

Campbell v Guzman - Guzman too small IMO, and lacks the power at 135 (he fought Jauregei over the super featherweight limit if I recall corrently). Campbell maybe has some good fights left in him but could he be outhustled by a younger, or bigger, or faster man?

Let these older fighters and blown up featherweights keep fighting each other & the ranks will narrow down before you know it.

Light welterweight looked like there was no room for Ricky Hatton - Tszyu, Mitchell, Judah, Harris, Gatti & Mayweather for instance and look what happened there.

I reckon Gomez and Pacman are going to be at 135 for sometime unless they unwisely jump weight. Gomez isnt small or weak, he weighs 144lbs on fight night with about 2% less bodyfat than Khans 1.5% bodyfat
Juan Diaz is young. But Marquez, Casamayor and Campbell have to be on their last legs.

[Autobarn]

I think there's going to be an opening for a young fighter soon.

Casa v Marquez - Casa has only got 1 good fight lef tin him, if that. Marquez will be bloated at 135 and the scar tissue will let him down.

Campbell v Guzman - Guzman too small IMO, and lacks the power at 135 (he fought Jauregei over the super featherweight limit if I recall corrently). Campbell maybe has some good fights left in him but could he be outhustled by a younger, or bigger, or faster man?

Let these older fighters and blown up featherweights keep fighting each other & the ranks will narrow down before you know it.

Light welterweight looked like there was no room for Ricky Hatton - Tszyu, Mitchell, Judah, Harris, Gatti & Mayweather for instance and look what happened there.

I reckon Gomez and Pacman are going to be at 135 for sometime unless they unwisely jump weight. Gomez isnt small or weak, he weighs 144lbs on fight night with about 2% less bodyfat than Khans 1.5% bodyfat
Juan Diaz is young. But Marquez, Casamayor and Campbell have to be on their last legs.

Gomez? As in Micharel Gomez?

[Poncey]

Expect Gamboa to jump weight and get in the mix soon enough despite him now chasing titles at 126

Unlikely mate. He struggles to get his weight up to 128lbs according to his Management Team. Be a while before he has to go up to 135.

Haven't they talked about him fighting Pacquaio at 135 already though? BTW mate any inside gossip send me a PM

I reckon Gamboa is a bit Khan esque to be honest from what I've seen, quite upright defensively, low hands with his chin in the air. Why do top amateurs not use much head movement? Or is it just head movement in general is a top level skill that isn't easy to master? Speaking of which Khan should have been able to time Gomez's head movement, very predicatble, then again Frazier and Hagler had predictable head movement and got away with it most of their careers.

They were calling out Pacman when he was 130 after he beat Marquez. Depends what Gamboa you've seen, mate. I watched his first US fight on Sunday against De Jesus and he looked immense. Good head movement, power, speed, accuracy. I feel that he's gotten a big head in his last two fights and hopefully Cuellar can calm him down. From what I've heard he wasn't listening to his old trainer so they had to get rid.

[WildWaylon]

I think there's going to be an opening for a young fighter soon.

Casa v Marquez - Casa has only got 1 good fight lef tin him, if that. Marquez will be bloated at 135 and the scar tissue will let him down.

Campbell v Guzman - Guzman too small IMO, and lacks the power at 135 (he fought Jauregei over the super featherweight limit if I recall corrently). Campbell maybe has some good fights left in him but could he be outhustled by a younger, or bigger, or faster man?

Let these older fighters and blown up featherweights keep fighting each other & the ranks will narrow down before you know it.

Light welterweight looked like there was no room for Ricky Hatton - Tszyu, Mitchell, Judah, Harris, Gatti & Mayweather for instance and look what happened there.

I reckon Gomez and Pacman are going to be at 135 for sometime unless they unwisely jump weight. Gomez isnt small or weak, he weighs 144lbs on fight night with about 2% less bodyfat than Khans 1.5% bodyfat
Juan Diaz is young. But Marquez, Casamayor and Campbell have to be on their last legs.

Gomez? As in Micharel Gomez?

Micharel, who?

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

I think there's going to be an opening for a young fighter soon.

Casa v Marquez - Casa has only got 1 good fight lef tin him, if that. Marquez will be bloated at 135 and the scar tissue will let him down.

Campbell v Guzman - Guzman too small IMO, and lacks the power at 135 (he fought Jauregei over the super featherweight limit if I recall corrently). Campbell maybe has some good fights left in him but could he be outhustled by a younger, or bigger, or faster man?

Let these older fighters and blown up featherweights keep fighting each other & the ranks will narrow down before you know it.

Light welterweight looked like there was no room for Ricky Hatton - Tszyu, Mitchell, Judah, Harris, Gatti & Mayweather for instance and look what happened there.

I reckon Gomez and Pacman are going to be at 135 for sometime unless they unwisely jump weight. Gomez isnt small or weak, he weighs 144lbs on fight night with about 2% less bodyfat than Khans 1.5% bodyfat
Juan Diaz is young. But Marquez, Casamayor and Campbell have to be on their last legs.

Gomez? As in Micharel Gomez?

I meant Juan Guzman

[Dioufy]

I think Joan Guzman would beat Campbell - I know Guzman's power seems to be on the slide as he moves up in weight but his skills are still the same. If he can avoid the knock out then I think he wins, and we all know that Campbell isn't really a massive puncher.

[Autobarn]

I meant Juan Guzman

LOL

Tricky boxer. I find him very frustrating. Class, but only in spurts.

I think Guzman and Campbell are classy fighters that won't really produce a satisfying fight. Possibly the same with Marquez and Casa. I think a young, aggressive guy like Anthony Peterson or Urbano Antillon will have the beating of guys like this, once they have been developed.

I'd like to see Campbell do well as he is the only person preventing a Golden Boy monopoly on the lightweight division and he's spoken against the system pretty harshly. Hopefully he can back his words up.

I think Nate should've waited for Marquez in Nov (original offer) and had an easy title defence or mandatory in the meantime.

[Phenomenal-Nutrition]

I meant Juan Guzman

LOL

Tricky boxer. I find him very frustrating. Class, but only in spurts.

I think Guzman and Campbell are classy fighters that won't really produce a satisfying fight. Possibly the same with Marquez and Casa. I think a young, aggressive guy like Anthony Peterson or Urbano Antillon will have the beating of guys like this, once they have been developed.

I'd like to see Campbell do well as he is the only person preventing a Golden Boy monopoly on the lightweight division and he's spoken against the system pretty harshly. Hopefully he can back his words up.

I think Nate should've waited for Marquez in Nov (original offer) and had an easy title defence or mandatory in the meantime.

I think Guzman has the potential to be the pick of the bunch. Hes like an aggressive Floyd Mayweather, the same shoulder roll and movement but his workrate isn't the best, 1 of my current faves all the same, I think he'd beat Pacquaio. I like Campbell too, I just see Guzman as a fighter with more of a future.

I'm really looking forward to both Guzman-Campbell and Casa-Marquez, 2 technical fascinating fighters.

Don't forget Manny Pac also isn't golden boy and hes the biggest draw in the division. Is Juan Diaz Golden Boy? Khans going to be 1 of the divisions biggest draws if he stays around

[Autobarn]

Is Pac not still co-promoted by Top Rank and GBP? Seems like he's gone in the direction of Top Rank but I don't know the specifics, whether GBP still have a piece of him or not. They have been very pro-Marquez of recent.

Golden Boy do have Casa with the Ring title, and Juan Diaz whom they just signed, as well as Katsidis and Jesus Chavez. Think Katsidis and Chavez are having some kind of elim. Marquez getting a shot as well. They have sort of tried to corner the market and have the Ring belt so they can make any fight they want. They can put great fights on but there was the risk of Campbell getting excluded.

Good that Guzman is moving up and Campbell gets a big fight. Definitely, Khan will be a factor with the Olympic pedigree.

[chesh]

I meant Juan Guzman

LOL

Tricky boxer. I find him very frustrating. Class, but only in spurts.

I think Guzman and Campbell are classy fighters that won't really produce a satisfying fight. Possibly the same with Marquez and Casa. I think a young, aggressive guy like Anthony Peterson or Urbano Antillon will have the beating of guys like this, once they have been developed.

I'd like to see Campbell do well as he is the only person preventing a Golden Boy monopoly on the lightweight division and he's spoken against the system pretty harshly. Hopefully he can back his words up.

I think Nate should've waited for Marquez in Nov (original offer) and had an easy title defence or mandatory in the meantime.

I think Guzman has the potential to be the pick of the bunch. Hes like an aggressive Floyd Mayweather, the same shoulder roll and movement but his workrate isn't the best, 1 of my current faves all the same, I think he'd beat Pacquaio. I like Campbell too, I just see Guzman as a fighter with more of a future.

I'm really looking forward to both Guzman-Campbell and Casa-Marquez, 2 technical fascinating fighters.

Don't forget Manny Pac also isn't golden boy and hes the biggest draw in the division. Is Juan Diaz Golden Boy? Khans going to be 1 of the divisions biggest draws if he stays around

I'm a big Guzman fan too, but he's 32 - which is getting on a bit for a lightweight. I know he's won titles at two weights, but I feel he could have achieved more. Bit of a wasted career, too inactive for too long. Pleased that he and Campbell are fighting each other, as their promotional ties might otherwise keep them out of the mix. BTW, Guzman's last opponent, Humberto Soto, is on the Pac-Diaz undercard this weekend. Hope Setanta show it, as Soto is usually good viewing.