Thread: So who's the next "great American hope" in boxing?

Boxing popularity in the U.S. (among the casual fans) has always been tied to the existence of a native son among the sport's elite. Back in the days of Ali, Holmes, and Tyson... Americans enjoyed their "days in the sun" in the HW division. And when De La Hoya was around, his crossover appeal seemed to fill some of that void for U.S. fans. But Mosley's gone... and not everyone is a fan of Floyd Jr. A quick rundown of the divisions illustrates the present void in U.S. "stardom":


Heavyweight: There are no American heavyweights in the picture worth mentioning. Some prospects, maybe... but no one to challenge the Klitschkos.

Light Heavy: Chad Dawson's stock dropped through the floor with his TKO loss to Andre Ward. Hopkins is ancient, and probably close to retiring. Even when he was active, he was hardly "fan-friendly" for many U.S. fans.

Super Middle: Andre Ward would be the closest thing to the "next great hope"... but he's hardly a household name. Maybe the weight division has something to do with it. Kelly Pavlik WAS going to be the "next great hope".... but his battles with the bottle basically put an end to all that. Jermaine Taylor had the humble personality that people like.... but he turned out to be a lesser fighter than we thought.

Welterweight: Floyd Mayweather may be # 1 p4p in many people's eyes... but again, is hardly "fan-friendly" for many U.S. fans. Tim Bradley is a hard, dedicated worker... but he's not "next great hope" material. And whatever happened to Andre Berto?

Light Welter: Lamont Peterson's stock also dropped through the floor after his banned substance issues.

Super Feather: Adrien Broner is super talented, but just another undisciplined, disrespectful punk. Hardly fits the mold of a "next great hope". Besides, his issues with weight have angered many potential fans.

Featherweight and below: No notables to speak of.


So.... who's the next Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar de la Hoya, or Larry Holmes in the American boxing landscape? (If I inadvertently missed anyone, please let me know).

Good post man
Personally I think once mayweather is gone the Americans won't have any pound for pound stars
The closest will Definatly be ward
Broner gets beat from our man burns every time
Burns is the man
But yeah ward probably unless froch beats him next
Or maybe groves

You'd hope that someone would come through. As I said... it's kind of a chain reaction of sorts. The presence of a new superstar in U.S. boxing would bring the casual fans back to the sport. Two things would help: 1) preferably in a "major" weight division, such as welterweight, middleweight, or heavyweight. And 2) although it has nothing to do with boxing, it would help if the fighter was a least a bit humble, and could stay out of jail as much as possible. You might add not being caught with PEDs, and not having recurring weight issues.

Garry Russel Jr is pretty damn good. I like the guy and he is pretty talented.
Andre Ward is charming and all he really needs to make it big is a big PR push because in terms of legibility, he has it.

Asides those two I don't see anyone else and the reason really is America's piss poor amateur system. Compared to college football/baseball/basketball amateur boxing in US is shit. So when you hear a guy is a golden glove champion it doesn't mean as much as it used to way back in the day. So when an Eastern European boxer takes him to school no one should be shocked. Same thing can of course be said of Cuban boxers and their very deep amateur talent pool.

Long story short if America really wants to have big named boxers rather than being the best platform for boxing it needs to invest into its amateur program.

Good points all. But consider the following: A country like Mexico does not have a world-class amateur program, but is very successful in the pro ranks. Over here in Puerto Rico, we go through the same cycle every Olympics. We have several, very young, excellent prospects. But because they're young and comparatively inexperienced, we rarely medal. Then, for the next Games... these fighters have already turned pro... and we're back to a new crop of young, inexperienced prospects. Puerto Rico also has a great history in the pro ranks.

By contrast, you have some European countries who excel in the amateurs, and rake up the Olympic medals. Why? Because their boxers stay amateur into their 30's. And they become experts at the Olympic style of boxing, which rewards contact frequency rather than punch effectiveness. But these same countries then have few world champions in the pro ranks.

Apparently you can't have your cake and eat it too. I think it's a bit more complicated than just overhauling the amateur program.

Although on the other hand, and in favor of the point you make..... if you invest heavily in the amateur program.... just by the sheer increase in numbers (of boxers).... the probability of "the next great hope" emerging would certainly go up.

Originally Posted by TitoFan

Boxing popularity in the U.S. (among the casual fans) has always been tied to the existence of a native son among the sport's elite. Back in the days of Ali, Holmes, and Tyson... Americans enjoyed their "days in the sun" in the HW division. And when De La Hoya was around, his crossover appeal seemed to fill some of that void for U.S. fans. But Mosley's gone... and not everyone is a fan of Floyd Jr. A quick rundown of the divisions illustrates the present void in U.S. "stardom":

In fairness my friend that is probably true for any country.


Heavyweight: There are no American heavyweights in the picture worth mentioning. Some prospects, maybe... but no one to challenge the Klitschkos.

This division is pathetic and has been for years. This also applies to anywhere else in the world brother. Btw I thought Juan Carlos was going to own the division.

Light Heavy: Chad Dawson's stock dropped through the floor with his TKO loss to Andre Ward. Hopkins is ancient, and probably close to retiring. Even when he was active, he was hardly "fan-friendly" for many U.S. fans.

Another stale division. Cruiser is more exiting.

Super Middle: Andre Ward would be the closest thing to the "next great hope"... but he's hardly a household name. Maybe the weight division has something to do with it. Kelly Pavlik WAS going to be the "next great hope".... but his battles with the bottle basically put an end to all that. Jermaine Taylor had the humble personality that people like.... but he turned out to be a lesser fighter than we thought.

Again the same could be said for most countries. Thee casual fan wants a knockout before they pick up the burger at the drive through. I enjoy boxing matches and pugilistic endeavors and as much as I dislike Ward, he's a pretty special operator.

Welterweight: Floyd Mayweather may be # 1 p4p in many people's eyes... but again, is hardly "fan-friendly" for many U.S. fans. Tim Bradley is a hard, dedicated worker... but he's not "next great hope" material. And whatever happened to Andre Berto?

A division full of people that dont fight each other.

Light Welter: Lamont Peterson's stock also dropped through the floor after his banned substance issues.

Jose Benavidez

Super Feather: Adrien Broner is super talented, but just another undisciplined, disrespectful punk. Hardly fits the mold of a "next great hope". Besides, his issues with weight have angered many potential fans.

I think he's going to make Demarco look like a baby seal on the pack ice and be a factor at welter by the end of next year.

Featherweight and below: No notables to speak of.

Gary Jr looks the part and almost Roy like.


So.... who's the next Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar de la Hoya, or Larry Holmes in the American boxing landscape? (If I inadvertently missed anyone, please let me know).

Once again this could be asked on a global scale and not just America.

Tbh I'm hoping that Floyd has some kind of a Leonard like epiphany and accepts the Martinez challenge. Floyd wont be baited by the offered catch weights and would only fight Martinez at 160.

Originally Posted by IamInuit

Originally Posted by TitoFan

Boxing popularity in the U.S. (among the casual fans) has always been tied to the existence of a native son among the sport's elite. Back in the days of Ali, Holmes, and Tyson... Americans enjoyed their "days in the sun" in the HW division. And when De La Hoya was around, his crossover appeal seemed to fill some of that void for U.S. fans. But Mosley's gone... and not everyone is a fan of Floyd Jr. A quick rundown of the divisions illustrates the present void in U.S. "stardom":

In fairness my friend that is probably true for any country.


Heavyweight: There are no American heavyweights in the picture worth mentioning. Some prospects, maybe... but no one to challenge the Klitschkos.

This division is pathetic and has been for years. This also applies to anywhere else in the world brother. Btw I thought Juan Carlos was going to own the division.

Light Heavy: Chad Dawson's stock dropped through the floor with his TKO loss to Andre Ward. Hopkins is ancient, and probably close to retiring. Even when he was active, he was hardly "fan-friendly" for many U.S. fans.

Another stale division. Cruiser is more exiting.

Super Middle: Andre Ward would be the closest thing to the "next great hope"... but he's hardly a household name. Maybe the weight division has something to do with it. Kelly Pavlik WAS going to be the "next great hope".... but his battles with the bottle basically put an end to all that. Jermaine Taylor had the humble personality that people like.... but he turned out to be a lesser fighter than we thought.

Again the same could be said for most countries. Thee casual fan wants a knockout before they pick up the burger at the drive through. I enjoy boxing matches and pugilistic endeavors and as much as I dislike Ward, he's a pretty special operator.

Welterweight: Floyd Mayweather may be # 1 p4p in many people's eyes... but again, is hardly "fan-friendly" for many U.S. fans. Tim Bradley is a hard, dedicated worker... but he's not "next great hope" material. And whatever happened to Andre Berto?

A division full of people that dont fight each other.

Light Welter: Lamont Peterson's stock also dropped through the floor after his banned substance issues.

Jose Benavidez

Super Feather: Adrien Broner is super talented, but just another undisciplined, disrespectful punk. Hardly fits the mold of a "next great hope". Besides, his issues with weight have angered many potential fans.

I think he's going to make Demarco look like a baby seal on the pack ice and be a factor at welter by the end of next year.

Featherweight and below: No notables to speak of.

Gary Jr looks the part and almost Roy like.


So.... who's the next Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar de la Hoya, or Larry Holmes in the American boxing landscape? (If I inadvertently missed anyone, please let me know).

Once again this could be asked on a global scale and not just America.

Tbh I'm hoping that Floyd has some kind of a Leonard like epiphany and accepts the Martinez challenge. Floyd wont be baited by the offered catch weights and would only fight Martinez at 160.

I know, bro.... but I would argue that globally, the U.S. boxing scene is the "straw that stirs the drink." I understand and agree about the similar situation in other countries.... but boxing in general will receive a big boost IF and WHEN the next American superstar emerges.

Originally Posted by TitoFan

I know, bro.... but I would argue that globally, the U.S. boxing scene is the "straw that stirs the drink." I understand and agree about the similar situation in other countries.... but boxing in general will receive a big boost IF and WHEN the next American superstar emerges.

Unfortunate that boxing is so geocentric. We created the monopoly. HBO is the last word on who fights who. Another thread bud.

You take what you get and without a great amateur boxing program we aren't getting what we could.
If you are waiting for a Sugar Ray, Oscar, Tyson, Ali or Holmes you might be waiting for a long time. We've had so many great fighters in the last 90 or so years, I'm not going to bitch too much. That next great one might show up on Friday Night Fights or ShowBox, who knows maybe he's already here and we're overlooking him. I got high hopes!

There's a guy Alex Aucedo I saw on some big undercard... I'm not sure whether he's managed by Top Rank or Golden Boy and I'm I'm not saying he's the next big thing... But he is one exciting fighter.

Originally Posted by Glinchdogg

Good post man
Personally I think once mayweather is gone the Americans won't have any pound for pound stars
The closest will Definatly be ward
Broner gets beat from our man burns every time
Burns is the man
But yeah ward probably unless froch beats him next
Or maybe groves

You have to be joking mentioning Groves

Floyd not "fan friendly?"

He's one of the biggest ever stars in world boxing let alone America. You don't sell over a million PPV every fight if you're not "fan friendly." Trust me.

Originally Posted by Fenster

Floyd not "fan friendly?"

He's one of the biggest ever stars in world boxing let alone America. You don't sell over a million PPV every fight if you're not "fan friendly." Trust me.

Maybe "fan-friendly" was not the best term to use. Of course he draws big... he's the consensus #1 p4p right now. But not everybody tunes in hoping he'll win. He doesn't have the "outside the ring" image of De la Hoya (before the fishnets) and Sugar Ray Leonard back in his time. Pavlik was the perfect candidate awhile back, before he became totally beatable, and an alcoholic to boot.

Originally Posted by TitoFan

Originally Posted by Fenster

Floyd not "fan friendly?"

He's one of the biggest ever stars in world boxing let alone America. You don't sell over a million PPV every fight if you're not "fan friendly." Trust me.

Maybe "fan-friendly" was not the best term to use. Of course he draws big... he's the consensus #1 p4p right now. But not everybody tunes in hoping he'll win. He doesn't have the "outside the ring" image of De la Hoya (before the fishnets) and Sugar Ray Leonard back in his time. Pavlik was the perfect candidate awhile back, before he became totally beatable, and an alcoholic to boot.

You're both right, plenty of the PPVs are fans wanting to see Floyd get an ass whipping, Floyd knows and uses it to to keep going.
Lying against the ropes, presenting first one shoulder then the other, is not fan friendly.
Leading your opponent around the ring, waiting for him tire, while you throw jabs and the occasional counter is not fan friendly.
I'm not saying I don't enjoy watching him work, it's just not fan friendly.

Fenster, you are joking when you ask anyone to trust you, right?! Your icon, your handle and your gambling makes me want to check my wallet every time you post

Andre Ward and Adrien Broner are the next American stars.