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What on earth happened to the featherweight division? Within a single year this once vibrant division transformed from a high-profile, ultra-competitive territory to a collection of good fighters not fighting one another and a few young stars not ready for the intensity of world-class competition. Make no mistake, the featherweight class still boasts a host of excellent talents and a wide array of styles and personalities that could conceivably set it alight once again; but great potential means nothing if it remains unfocused. With this in mind, let’s take a look at what I believe are the top-ten fighters in the division and see if the winds of change extinguished the featherweight Golden Age, or if a new era is about to begin.
1. Juan Manuel Marquez: One wonders if Marquez’s best days were as a hungry contender and not a champion elevated into the sport’s higher echelons. His ascension to prominence after years in obscurity inspired, and yet, the fire he displayed as a contender seems tempered now as a champion atop the mountain pricing himself out of fights. Consider also that the withdrawal of Erik Morales and Marco Antonio Barrera from the division leaves Marquez without a single marquee opponent to challenge. I maintain that his performances in becoming the WBA/IBF champion met nothing more than expectation. However, Marquez is an all-round fighter possessing skill and technique, speed and power, intelligence and heart. As one of the world’s finest fighters, Marquez deserves the big money, but it will not come to him, therefore, I expect him to move up in weight after beating Victor Polo this month.
2. In Jin Chi: The WBC champion’s insistence on remaining in his homeland of Korea means that the enduring memory of him is the massacre he inflicted upon Erik Morales back in 2001, and what a memory it is. Round after round, Chi smiled gleefully in response to Morales’ vicious punches before proceeding to batter the Mexican legend from one end of the ring to the next. Unfair treatment on the scorecards ultimately denied justice to Chi’s performance that night, but he returned to finally claim a championship at the expense of England’s Michael Brodie over two fights, the first being a controversial draw. Not the most graceful proponent of the sweet science you’ll ever see, nonetheless, Chi is as effective as any featherweight in the world in making his presence felt. However, Chi must campaign in the west to gain the truly international recognition is efforts deserve.
3. Scott Harrison: The Jekyll and Hyde character of the division, Harrison’s performances range from relentless dominations to shockingly subdued showings. This apparent split fighting personality prompts a dizzying reaction from the media who promote and dismiss Harrison’s elite level prospects based on each performance. As a two-time WBO champion, Harrison holds some bargaining power in the division but must show greater consistency to accentuate claims that he belongs amongst the elite names in world boxing. At his best, Harrison is a tireless puncher that is not exceptional at anything but solid enough in every department to pose a severe threat.
4. Chris John: “The Indonesian Thin Man’ indicates a physical state, but the reality of John’s situation is that he is somewhat skinny in terms of recognition too. As the undefeated WBA regular champion with four title defenses to his credit, John is yet another champion from the East who seems content to stay there. As such, his attempts to lure Western opposition to him proved less than fruitful until Derrick Gainer accepted the assignment. Gainer fell at John’s hands, but of course, a global audience remained in the dark about John’s abilities; a problem that shall remain prominent until John decides to ply his trade in America.
5. Ricardo Juarez: Gathering momentum as a rising contender, Juarez’ record stands at twenty-three wins with no losses and is believed to be set to challenge current WBC champion In Jin Chi. A standout of the 2000 Olympic Games, Juarez went on to deal in decent competition and of late, holds explosive wins over such name opposition as Guty Espadas Jr., Juan Carlos Ramirez and Zahir Raheem; although Espadas and Ramirez saw better days before facing Juarez. Youth, power and dedication are the keys to Juarez’s success, as he possesses abundant reserves of each and a world-class left hook that may prove the ruin of any fighter he faces. Look for Juarez to feature largely in Main Events’ future pay-per-view success.
6. Derrick Gainer: “Smoke’s” rather unflattering image throughout boxing circles these days prompts remembrance of his former glories; such is the need for equation to the unfavorable remarks that follow him around. A recent loss to current WBA champion Chris John appears to be the end of Gainer’s world title ambitions, leaving him to lament better times he shared in the ring against such names as Kevin Kelley, Manuel Medina, Victor Polo and Freddie Norwood. As a prime fighter, Gainer’s quick and flashy southpaw style gained him a decent reputation, especially as a close associate of former light heavyweight champion Roy Jones. All that is long gone now though, and barring a momentous revision of himself, soon, so too will be Gainer.
7. Johnny Tapia: A legend, not as a featherweight, but this he currently stands here so he deserves the position. Approaching the end of a three-weight championship career that has seen him cross swords with innumerable great fighters, unfortunately, Tapia’s unstable personal life takes precedence over his boxing ability. Worryingly, the structure that boxing gives Tapia to subdue his personal problems might dissipate upon his retirement, and the life of a legendary achiever in boxing deserves a more dignified transition. I hope that Tapia is able to make that transition smoothly and without incident and that he may enjoy the accolades his great career affords him.
8. Manuel Medina: Though always neglected and underrated by fight fans, Medina is a remarkable fighter. A veteran of twenty years in boxing and achiever of no less than five officially recognized world championships, Medina is still only thirty-four years of age. Medina is also one of the most prolific fighters in the world, having competed in seventy-eight contests. Also, having traveled to such varied locations as England, the Philippines, Scotland, Japan, Mexico, France, Ireland and Italy, Medina stands as a true credit to the sport of boxing through his dedication to his craft and unprecedented consistency in these times.
9. Robert Guerrero: “The Ghost” shall not remain invisible for very much longer. If potential impact counter for anything in this sport, Guerrero’s name would be legend already. The current NABF champion holds impressive wins over such former notables as Juan Polo Perez and Enrique Sanchez. At only twenty-two-years-old, Guerrero has all the time in the world to live up to the “Warrior” in his name as translated from Spanish to English. Extreme ability in offense and defense could well see him through what he believes is a serious title run in the next few years, so remember the name as you will hear it many more times in the future.
10. Michael Brodie: “Mikie,” once the long-reigning British and European super bantamweight champion never affirmed himself as the best of an era that included Patrick Mullings and Spencer Oliver, two more classy British fighters of a trio that promised an exciting time in the division but could not deliver. Brodie’s transition to the featherweight division afforded him the chance to step into world-class opposition level, but not without a few setbacks. Brodie stands with two defeats, one draw and no wins in world championship fights, having lost a decision to Willie Jorrin and drawn and lost to In Jin Chi. Though definitely one of the best technical fighters and solid punchers in the division, the knock on Brodie is his tendency to fail under pressure and incur horrific facial damage as evidenced in his classic battle with Pastor Maurin in 2002. Later this year, Brodie shall play his part in the drama of the two best British featherweights colliding as he meets Scotland’s WBO champion Scott Harrison.
Jim Cawkwell can be reached at jimcawkwell@yahoo.co.uk
