2013 has not been kind to the many boxers this year.
Adrian Broner’s loss at the hands of Marcos Maidana this past weekend was one of many humbling stories this past year. In the year poised to be a break out for fighters such as Abner Mares, Austin Trout, Brandon Rios, Canelo Alvarez and Adrien Broner to name few. A different scenario played out for them.
Their first losses came in 2013.
Not so fast Trout
Austin Trout was living the dream at the end of 2012. Coming off a wonderful performance over Miguel Cotto in Madison Square Garden that saw Cotto’s MSG winning streak come to an end. Trout was then matched up against Mexican superstar Canelo Alvarez-While many felt Trout did enough to upset Alvarez, he was handed his first loss this past spring. Things have only got worse for Trout as he was easily out pointed by Erislandy Lara in early December. Trout now limps out of 2013 with no wins and on the cusp of becoming a fringe contender going into the next year.
Oh damn Bam Bam
Brandon Rios has easily been one of the most exciting fighters over the past couple of years and 2012 was no different. His 7th round stoppage of Mike Alvarado was one of the best fights of 2012 and he looked set on big fights going into this year. However nothing materialized with the bigger names in the welterweight division, Top Rank decided to make a rematch of Rios-Alvarado. Many expected the second go around to be much of the same as the first- back and forth action and another signature Rios stoppage, unfortunately his plan did not work and Alvarado out boxed the slugger for the second half of their rematch fight to hand Rios his first loss.
However all seemed to be forgotten as Brandon Rios was chosen as Manny Pacquiao’s first fight back after his knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez. Many wondered if Pacquiao could absorb the heavy hands of Rios. All was answered in November when Pacquiao easily out boxed the slow footed Rios to a unanimous decision. To add insult to injury Rios also tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine also refereed to as DMAA- which can be used as a dietary supplement but also a performance enhancing drug. That may be forgiven by some boxing fans but it definitely won’t go unnoticed by any of his future opponents. Add the stigma as a cheat and Rios has his hands full this coming year. The savings grace for Rios is that he is an all action type of fighter and he makes for great drama on TV and as long as he is matched up against fighters such as Alvarado or a Provodnikov, Rios is good for TV.
Mares in one
Like Rios, Abner Mares also became one of the most exciting fighters in boxing today. His in your face pressure style was easy to appreciate and his willingness to fight the best out there made Mares a fan favorite. After failing to make a fight with Nonito Donaire, Mares moved up in weight. After Mares one side domination of Daniel Ponce De Leon. It seemed as his move up in weight would go well. That all changed this past August when he faced back from the dead Jhonny Gonzalez. Many felt that Mares would easily dominate the veteran Gonzalez, however Gonzalez seemed to resurrect his boxing career once again as he crushed Mares in one round. Mares is looking to avenge his loss with A rematch this coming February. Win and Mares is back on top, lose and it’s back to the drawing board.
Canel-NO!
Over that past couple years boxing has been looking for the next big superstar to take the torch from Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather and many believed they found their savior in a young, handsome Red headed Mexican who goes by the name of Canelo Alvarez. A fighter who had wanted a Floyd Mayweather for some time finally got his wish in September. The fight was billed as “The One” and broke several records on its way to becoming one of the biggest hyped fights in the past decade. While many wanted to fully believe that the Mexican star was the next great champion, their hope was short lived as once again Floyd Mayweather handed out his typical one sided boxing clinic.
While Canelo may have been given a dubious draw on judge CJ Ross scorecard anyone watching knows that Canelo was dominated. Mayweather was simply too much for the young star and it was evident in Las Vegas this past September. However, while his loss brings his stock down just a bit, he is still going to be a huge draw especially with his fans. Canelo just is not “The One” at least not right now.
While some of the biggest up and coming 2012 fighters failed to do the same in 2013 a few others have emerged.
Danny Garcia a fighter that since his stoppage of Amir Khan in 2012 has been a roll. He has racked up wins overs Zab Judah and most recently, heavy handed Lucas Matthysse. A fighter many believed would expose Garcia. However, Garcia has proven to be the real deal so far. Add that he is in one of the deepest and most exciting weight classes (140). 2014 for Garcia should be nothing but big name fights.
Timothy Bradley.
Many felt he was given a gift against Manny Pacquiao last year. This year after a 9 month lay off after his Pacquiao win, Bradley remerged as one of the most entertaining fighters of the year. His fight of the year candidate with Ruslan Provodnikov in March to his win over Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez-Bradley has proved to be more than a lucky fighter. 2014 looks to be a big year for Bradley. Perhaps a rematch with Pacquiao to quite the critics of the first fight is his first stop.