The Top Gun´s
of 2002 & The Three Who Should Retire
By Ed Ludwig
21.12 - As the year comes to a close
many boxing writers and publications will compile
a list for their year-end awards. I find that writers
throughout the year do not spend enough time talking
about the fighters that are on the verge of a breakthrough.
I have selected three who I believe will have a breakout
year in 2002 and I recommend that you keep an eye
out for this select group. They might be unknown too
most right now but a year from now they might be top
contenders or World Champions. I have also selected
three that should retire and I base this on overall
performance and not on one particular loss. Please
check out the "Fan
Forum" and post your opinion.
Lamont Pearson (17-0-1 10 KO’S)
Junior Lightweight:
He only fought twice this year but
Lamont Pearson is making a strong statement that he
is a legitimate contender. Pearson is the number one
contender to Steve Forbes IBF title. Pearson defeated
Carlos Navarro and Jesse Gutierrez to secure his number
one position. Although he was not very active this
year he did have seven fights in 2000 and his wins
over Navarro and Gutierrez were very impressive. Pearson
is a slick southpaw who continues to improve each
time out. He is promoted by America Presents and you
can watch him on Fox Sports Net.
Ricky Hatton (27-0 22 KO’S)
Junior Welterweight:
Coming off a big win over Australian
Justin Roswell, Ricky Hatton closed out the year with
a bang last weekend. He disposed of Roswell in two
rounds and kept his undefeated record intact. Hatton
fought five times this year with his most notable
wins coming over former title-holder Freddie Pendleton
and veteran Tony Pep who had gone the distance with
a young Floyd Mayweather a few years back. Don’t
let Hatton’s baby face looks fool you because
he is well conditioned and always prepared for a long
fight each time out. He has stated that he wants to
challenge Kostya Tszyu but Hatton should wait for
awhile and see how he does against a couple of ranked
opponents before jumping into the shark tank. Ricky
Hatton will be the next star out of Great Britain.
John Michael Johnson (30-7 23 KO’S)
Featherweight:
The first man to defeat Junior Jones
has his career back on track following four big wins
in 2001 capped off by the recent 31-second destruction
of Augie Sanchez. Prior to this year many people,
myself included, considered Johnson a shot fighter.
With all the personal problems and inactivity over
the last few years his career appeared to be ending.
It wasn’t Johnson’s skills that were on
the decline but his lack of focus and direction certainly
was. Prior to 2001 he only fought twice in the last
two years and lost both. He has conquered his personal
demons and Johnson appears to be on track for a title
shot down the road. He won a split decision over David
Murillo in May and then in August he scored a knockout
victory over highly touted Antonio "Chelo"
Diaz. Johnson defeated former IBF champ Harold Grey
in September and then closed out the year in fine
fashion with his victory over Sanchez. John Michael
Johnson has not held a major world title since beating
Junior Jones in 1994 but if he continues to stay focused
and fights as well as he has been, against good competition
I might add, then a championship is in his future.
Michael Bennett (6-2 6 KO’S)
Cruiserweight:
This year has been a complete disaster
for the former Olympian Michael Bennett. He had six
wins but his two losses overshadow everything. He
has yet to make it past the first round in any of
his fights and losing twice against limited opposition
clearly shows that Bennett does not have the skill
to compete on a world level. He moved from Heavyweight
down to Cruiserweight where he was expected to develop
into a contender and he was brought along carefully
against selected opponents. If he can’t get past
the first round I would hate to think what would happen
to him as the rounds pass by. Lou Di Bella has offered
Bennett a position within his promotional firm if
he will hang up the gloves. Michael Bennett turned
down the offer and plans to continue with his boxing
career.
Frankie Randall (55-12-1 42 KO’S)
Welterweight:
With seven consecutive losses, five
by knockout and punch drunk, it hurts me to see Frankie
Randall continuing to fight for very little money
and putting his health at risk each time out. His
skills have eroded so much that he is now an opponent
for almost anyone. His current losing streak began
with Oba Carr and since then he has lost to unknown
club fighters. His last win was back in 1998 against
Juan Soberanes. I am ashamed that the States that
Randall has been fighting in will license him and
let him compete. When I see Frankie Randall now it
is very upsetting. Boxing is the only thing
he knows and this is why he continues to step in the
ring. God forbid, but what if something tragic
happens to him, who is really to blame? The promoters
need to show some responsibility and look at his health
and not let him fight. Boxing is not worth dying for
and I hope Frankie Randall can find it within himself
to say enough.
Augie Sanchez (28-3 25 KO’S)
Featherweight:
I expect some backlash from this selection
considering the amount of fighters that I could have
included on this list. Augie Sanchez was a good amateur
but it did not carry over into his professional career.
His three losses were by devastating knockouts and
each time that Sanchez stepped up in competition he
has failed to win. He defeated Daniel Jimenez on two
occasions and a washed up Luisito Espinosa. He has
the heart but not the skills, especially defensively
as he has always been an easy target for most opponents.
When Sanchez lost to Naseem Hamed he did show a lot
of determination but he has not made a statement to
show that he is a threat in the featherweight division.
After his loss to John Michael Johnson a few weeks
ago it validated my point that Sanchez does not have
what it takes and I would like to see him retire while
he is young and healthy. Some fighters like John Ruiz
can bounce back from a devastating loss but in most
cases it is hard to overcome and losing by an early
knockout is a cloud that will hang over a fighter
for a long time.
