AMERICAN BOXING-In a downward spiral..?

Marty Mulcahey www.maxboxing.com

"Is America still the world’s greatest fistic nation?" With the exception of 1975, when there was only one universally recognized American world champion, there has not been a time when American boxing has, seemingly, taken a back seat to outside forces. Part one did show an increase in non American champions over the decades, but will the numbers go up in favor of non American boxers as weights increase and America has more fighters to put forward? Welterweight through light heavyweight have traditionally been the realm of American superstars, so it will be interesting to track the numbers.

As with part one, I employed The Ring magazine’s ratings from January of 1957, 1967, 1977, 1987, 1997, and 2007 to aid me. The Bible of Boxing has produced, by far, the most concise evaluation of boxing talent on the planet. The magazine has been the sport’s longest reigning arbiter, it printed their divisional ratings in 1925, and their unbiased reputation has only been impugned on one occasion in 1977 (under editor John Ort, the heavyweight rankings were adjusted to help the ABC heavyweight series promoted by Don King). Since then, The Ring redoubled its efforts, and regained the stature which has seen it return to the throne.

WELTERWEIGHT

1957: 7 of 11.
Americans held the top three spots, and had seven of eleven entrants in all. Carmen Basilio was the recognized champion, and Tony Demarco was nipping on his heels. It was not a deep pool of talent, and within a year number ten rated Kid Gavilan, from Cuba, would vault into the number one position. Countryman Isaac Logart joined Gavilan, and Mexico's Gaspar Ortega was the other non American in the top ten.

1967: 5 of 10.
Ten years later, Europeans had taken over five of the ten available positions, and the Latin contingent had disappeared. American Curtis Cokes was rated number one, followed by Frenchman Jean Josselin and Welshman Brian Curvis. The other Americans were Luis Rodriguez, Ernie Lopez, Ted Whitfield, and Gypsy Joe Harris. South African Willie Ludick was the lone representative from outside of Europe or America.

1977: 2 of 11.
Once again I am going into purist mode, and not allowing America to claim Carlos Palomino and Armando Muniz. Both are as red, white, and blue as they come...but born in Mexico. The two coasts generated America's representatives, with Washington D.C's Johnny Gant and California's Pete Ranzany clocking in at number seven and one respectively. Palomino was the champion, with Pipino Cuevas about to eclipse him with that explosive punching power. Englishmen John Stracey and David Green made up the European squad, with Puerto Rico throwing recently dethroned Angel Espada and Miguel Rodriguez into the mix. Canada added Clyde Gray at number two.

1987: 7 of 11.
Probably should have been eight out of eleven, but The Ring took Donald Curry at his word that he was moving up in weight after the thrashing Lloyd Honeyghan had given him. Europe held the top spot (Honeyghan), and the last spot in the ratings with Welshman Colin Jones. Island nations Jamaica and the Dominican Republic made appearances, with Simon Brown and Luis Santana. The rest were all American, headed by Mark Breland, Maurice Blocker, Johnny Bumphus, and Marlon Starling. No real stars, but a very solid block of fighters who handed each other losses.

1997: 3 of 10.
A truly international mix, with American Pernell Whitaker doing his best to hold off Puerto Rico's Felix Trinidad and Ghana's Ike Quartey. An almost imperceptible notch below was Mexico's Jose Luis Lopez, and Oba Carr rounded out the top five. From six down, however, there was a serious drop in talent, with France's Patrick Charpentier and Puerto Rico's Wilfredo Rivera. Yory Boy Campas is the only other recognizable entity, with Spain's Jose Navarro rounding out the top weak lower division.

2007: 6 of 11.
Argentina's Carlos Baldomir heads the list, with recently defeated Zab Judah having fallen to number three, behind Floyd Mayweather and Antonio Margarito. Germany's Oktay Urkal is the lone European, and Ghana's Joshua Clottey is the other to come from someplace other than the American hemisphere. Canada chimes in with Arturo Gatti, and Mexico gives us Margarito. Mayweather is obviously the best fighter, and proved it by defeating Baldomir and Judah in succession.

Overall analysis - A roller coaster division for America, ranging from seven (twice) all the way down to two representatives. Outside of Basilio, it seems that America does best when flashy speedsters (with defensive tendencies) were leading the American forces. Other than that, no real trend seems to jump out from a mishmash of talent. To tell the truth I expected more, especially since great American ring idols like Robinson, Armstrong, Leonard, and Hearns made their names at welterweight.

JR. MIDDLEWEIGHT

1957: Division not yet established.

1967: Division not yet established.

1977: 1 of 11.
Looks eerily like today's super middleweight division, with the lone American coming in at number ten. Ever hear of Melvin Dennis? Don't be ashamed if you do not, since he never beat a top ten guy and lost badly when he stepped up in competition. Argentine Miguel Castellini headed the list, with the European trio of Eckhart Dagge, Maurice Hope, and Jose Duran close behind in terms of talent. Even the Orient was represented, with New Zealand's Monty Betham and Japan's Koichi Wajima in the lower part of the top ten.

1987: 5 of 10.
A big jump in numbers, and a huge jump in skill with Donald Curry, Buster Drayton, Duane Thomas, and Davey Moore in the middle of the top ten pack. The lead dogs were Uganda's John Mugabi, Jamaica's Mike McCallum, and Canada's Matthew Hilton. Coming up fast from the rear was The Virgin Islands’ Julian Jackson, while Mark Medal rounded out the top ten. Some real chilling power on display here.

1997: 7 of 10
The steady increase continues, with Terry Norris the first American to be judged good enough for a number one slot. France's Laurent Boudouani, and Argentina's Julio Cesar Vasquez were rated two and three. Hector Camacho, representing Puerto Rico, was the only other non American. Winky Wright was at number four, former Olympian Raul Marquez was coming up at number eight, while Bronco McKart was starting his 'gatekeeper' career. This was a two man race though, so it is a shame that Norris and Wright never met at this weight.

2007: 5 of 10.
Shane Mosley and Cory Spinks are rated one and two, with Europeans Roman Karmazan and Sergei Dzindziruk representing their European equivalents. They round out the top five, with Uganda's Kassim Ouma the other top five guy. Workmanlike Verno Phillips represents Belize, and comebacking Ike Quartey is the second African to make the list. Big names Oscar De La Hoya and Fernando Vargas are the other Americans, coming in at numbers six and seven. Of course their ratings are the result of lack of activity, more than lack of talent.

Overall analysis - 1997 was the best year for America in terms of numbers, but 2007 is clearly better in terms of talent. Currently America is at its historical peak, but looking over the top ten for each decade I found that in each rating there was a non American who was stylistically suited to beat the Americans. This also looks like the line of demarcation for Hispanic boxers, with their numbers steadily shrinking as we move up in weight.

MIDDLEWEIGHT

1957: 10 of 11.
A virtual shutout, with only France's Charley Humez managing to break up the American monopoly. To be fair, this is a top heavy division, with Sugar Ray Robinson, Gene Fullmer, and Joey Giardello heading the lot. There is a considerable drop off in talent from number five on, with Rory Calhoun, Ellsworth Webb, Charley Joseph, Bobby Boyd, Ralph 'Tiger' Jones, and Willie Vaughn. None of whom got a sniff at the title. But then, neither did Humez. Even if they are ordinary, they were good enough to prevent other Europeans from charting. Or was the reporting from Europe not up to snuff during that period?

1967: 3 of 11.
A big turn around, with Europe, Asia, and The Caribbean doing their part to push Americans out of the top ten. Again, the weight class is top heavy, with Emile Griffith rated as the champion, followed by Sandro Mazzinghi, Dick Tiger, Nino Benvenuti, and Don Fullmer giving chase. Joey Archer is the only other recognizable name. Even Korean Ki Soo Kim is able to crack the top ten, working his way all the way up to number six. This is a list full of boxers who had yet to put the bloom on excellent careers.

1977: 6 of 11.
It was all about South America for the middleweight division in the 1970's, and it is reflected by Carlos Monzon and Rodrigo Valdez heading the rankings. American Mike Colbert separated the duo in the ratings, but was obviously out of his depth in historical terms. The East Coast trio of Tony Licata, Bennie Briscoe, and Bobby Watts came in at three, four, and five respectively. The lower top ten was filled in with European talent, like Gratien Tonna and Frank Wissenback. A good global mix, with three names that will live forever in middleweight history.

1987: 8 of 11.
Again, America is very well represented. Unlike previous years, this is a deep top ten. Marvin Hagler leads the list, and is rated the champion, followed by Thomas Hearns, John Mugabi, and Robbie Sims. Europe adds defensive wizard Herol Graham, and his polar opposite Iran Barkley is rated a notch lower. Michael Nunn is working his way up, and Canada throws in the multi talented Michael Olajide. Not only a good world mix, but an excellent blend of styles as well. Interestingly, all of the men were just coming down from, or a year or two from, their pro peaks.

1997: 7 of 10.
Bernard Hopkins is rated number one (and would be for a long time), and sits head and shoulders above American competitors like Keith Holmes, William Joppy, John David Jackson, and Lonnie Bradley. The international field was not much closer to Bernard in terms of skill either, with Japan's Shinji Takehara leading the squad at number six and a far better Jorge Castro a spot behind. Classy Canadian Otis Grant rounded out the top ten. Aside from Hopkins, fans will be asking "who" when these names are brought up twenty years from now.

2007: 2 of 11.
Well at least we can lodge a claim to the legitimate world champion, as Jermain Taylor resides in the top spot and Winky Wright is right behind him as the number one contender. The rest of the top ten is all from Europe or Africa, with the exception of Australia's Sam Soliman and Colombia’s Edison Miranda. Arthur Abraham and Miranda make up the legit challengers to Taylor, and I have a feeling that once the Europeans dethrone Taylor (or he moves up in weight) America will have a hard time regaining its once lofty status.

Overall analysis - Middleweight has long been thought of as a bastion of American boxing supremacy. But, the recent past has shown America in a rapid decline, even though we hold the top two spots for now. Unlike previous years, it looks like the pool of talent is getting deeper in Europe, and South America could emerge again as it did in the 1970's. I have to admit to my confidence being shaken. If Kelly Pavilk, or further down the line Joe Greene, do not pan out, I see our boys booking many plane rides to Europe.

SUPER MIDDLEWEIGHT

1957: Division not yet established.

1967: Division not yet established.

1977: Division not yet established.

1987: Division not yet rated by The Ring.

1997: 4 of 10.
Almost shockingly, two of the top three fighters rated are American, with Roy Jones and Frank Liles holding down one and two. Right behind them is Ireland's Steve Collins, at number three, followed by the third American Vinny Pazienza. The remaining are all European, with the exception of South Africa's Sugarboy Malinga. Interestingly, current champion Joe Calzaghe comes in at number 10. Historically Collins rates well, so it is hard for me to see him judged second to Liles.

2007: 2 of 11.
The American quotient is cut in half over ten years, with only Jeff Lacy and Allan Green making the cut. With deference to recent results, Green might have been overrated, while Lacy is still a top five question mark in most people’s minds. Mexico's Librado Andrade and Australia's Anthony Mundine are the only persons to make the list who do not originally hail from Europe. Wales' Joe Calzaghe and Denmark's Mikkel Kessler are far and away the best the division has to offer, which is probably something we will say of Europeans, and this weight class, for a long time to come.

Overall analysis - I have said it before and will say it again, the median weight for Europeans must be 168 pounds. It is one of the only explanations for Europe's dominance in this division. Granted, there is not a lot of statistical data to draw from, since the division is just barely over twenty years old, but it looks like the super middleweight division will only house an American champion temporarily. At best, I see it as a short rest station for American superstars between middleweight and light heavyweight, like Roy Jones in the past, and perhaps Jermain Taylor in the future. I have my doubts about Taylor though, and could not see him unseating either Calzaghe or Kessler at this time.

LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT

1957: 5 of 11.
To be frank, I expected to see more Americans rated in the top ten. Especially, given the weakness of the division as a whole below Archie Moore and Harold Johnson, who are rated one and two respectively. Number three is often forgotten, hard hitting but weak chinned, Tony Anthony of New York. Trinidad's Yolanda Pompey was the highest rated non American, at number three, and Yvon Durelle was number four. If you remember Artenio Calzavara, Gerhard Hecht, Chuck Spieser, or Willi Hoepner, you are a better man than I. After America, Germany had the most top ten representatives with two.

1967: 4 of 11.
Another disappointing showing, and perhaps my assumption that America had always been well represented at light heavyweight is historical ignorance? Puerto Rico's Jose Torres is the champion, with Americans Roger Rouse and Eddie Cotton rated just below. Neither of the challengers would win a world title, while number six rated Bobo Olson would pull the trick off. Number ten rated Wayne Thornton suffered a similar fate to Rouse and Cotton. The remainder of the division is diverse, with two Argentines and two Italians, one Australian, and a Scot. From top to bottom a workmanlike, but uninspiring lot.

1977: 5 of 10.
While the number of Americans has gone up, my disappointment in the quality of boxers continues to drop. Argentina's Victor Galindez rules the roost, with Americans Len Hutchins and Richie Kates giving chase. Argentine Miguel Cuello comes in at number four and American Jesse Burnett rounds out the top five. Mexico's Yaqui Lopez is moving up the ranks, while England's John Conteh is the flashiest fighter in the top ten. Americans Bobby Cassidy and Tom Bethea hold down the last two positions. Credit should be given to the entrants for knocking each other off in virtual round robin fashion.

1987: 5 of 10
Unfortunately the spacing of years omits the great reign of Michael Spinks, and what was perhaps the deepest pool of light heavyweight talent from 1980 to 1985. Instead, American Marvin Johnson leads the list of post Spinks wannabes. Bobby Czyz is rated second, with England's Dennis Andries rated third. Eddie Davis, Willie Edwards, and Jess Shelby are the other American representatives. Argentina, Trinidad, Yugoslavia, and Ghana all put one boxer into the top ten. As usual, a division suffers when a major star departs of his own volition, rather then via a loss.

1997: 5 of 10.
The numbers hold steady, but the quality rises considerably for America. Yet, Germany's Henry Maske holds down the top spot, with Americans Virgil Hill, Montell Griffin, and James Toney in a pursuit that they somehow believe does not go through Germany. Only Hill risks the trip, and is rewarded with a win. The man who would be king (no, not Roy Jones), Dariusz Michalczewski, rounds out the top five. Americans William Guthrie and Frank Tate hold the last two spots in the top ten.

2007: 4 of 11.
Again the number goes down, but the quality rises. America holds down the top spot with Bernard Hopkins, who just bested number two rated Antonio Tarver by a wide margin. Roy Jones is rated number five, and perhaps the best of the Americans at this moment, Chad Dawson, sneaks in at number ten. Time will tell if Hungarian Zsolt Erdei is underrated at number three, while Glen Johnson, Tomasz Adamek, Julio Gonzalez, and Clinton Woods make up a battle tested lot of contenders. If only these guys would realize that airplanes and cross ocean flights enable them to fight each other even when belts are not at stake.

Overall analysis - I really did expect more American talent below the top spot, which I assumed would be held by an American by the virtue of an American dominance in the all-time rankings. Names like Archie Moore, Ezzard Charles, Bob Foster, Gene Tunney, Roy Jones, and Michael Spinks spring to mind immediately. Maybe that is the problem, their brilliance hid the fact that below the top spot American mediocrity was on display. Still, Europeans and South Americans only make occasional inroads into the top three, otherwise this can be considered a stronghold of Americana.


CONTINUED BELOW

CRUISERWEIGHT

1957: Division not yet established.

1967: Division not yet established.

1977: Division not yet established.

1987: 9 of 11.
Could it be that I will find the American dominance, which I expected at light heavyweight, to really be at cruiserweight? The initial set of numbers seems to indicate this. Not only in numbers, but in name recognition as well. Evander Holyfield, Dwight Qawi, Eddie Mustafa Muhammad, and a young Bert Cooper make up a talented lot. Yet, all except Holyfield are rated below streaking Ricky Parkey, and even Lee Roy Murphy is rated higher at number four. Only Puerto Rico's Carlos De Leon and Ugandan John Odhiambo make the list, and I admit my unfamiliarity with Odhiambo before checking his better than expected resume at Boxrec.com. No Europeans rated, but this is a tough list to crack.

1997: 3 of 10
Forget what I said previously, as the world caught up with America fast. Both quality and depth are gone, with only Nate Miller and Adolpho Washington representing America in the top five, but they are rated one and two. The other rated American is Kenny Keene at number six. Argentine Marcelo Dominguez (who, along with Washington, underachieved) is rated number three, and the remaining five are Europeans with the exception of Japan's Yosukezan Nishijima. A second look at the ratings reveals a serious fall in talent across the board, not just on the American scene.

2007: 2 of 11.
The quality has taken as drastic a step up as it had taken a plunge ten years earlier. The problem is that America has not kept up the pace in terms of numbers, and the least skilled boxer is rated the champion. Yes, O'Neil Bell was rated the champion, having out-willed Jean Marc Mormeck in their first meeting. Steve Cunningham is rated number two, behind Panama's Guillermo Jones, and eventual Polish conqueror Krzysztof Wlodarczk rated number eight. A good mix with Italy, Guyana, France, England, and Russia placing boxers in the top ten, Russia and England putting forth two apiece.

Overall analysis - The numbers and my instincts tell me this division is headed for European dominance in the future. The question is whether European world champions will have the same urge as Americans, and move up to test their skill sets in heavyweight waters? David Haye seems like the perfect candidate for this in 2010.

HEAVYWEIGHT
(Note: In 1977 the heavyweight rankings of The Ring magazine were manipulated to aid a Don King-promoted American heavyweight unification series on ABC TV. Because of this I used the World Boxing Magazine ratings from January of 1977)

1957: 8 of 11.
Floyd Patterson is the reigning champion, and future nemesis Ingemar Johansson is lurking at number nine. Johansson is joined by Argentina's Alex Miteff, and Cuba's Nino Valdez as the only non Americans. The number one through five rated contenders are all Americans. They are, in order, Eddie Machen, Tommy Jackson, Zora Folley, Willie Pastrano, and Roy Harris. It is a slightly below average field, and two of the three foreign boxers would probably be rated by most as superior to the top five contenders in historical evaluations. A good, and predictable, start for America.

1967: 8 of 11.
The champ (Muhammad Ali) through the number four challenger were all American, and then Germany's Karl Mildenberger appears at number five. Notably, he is rated one spot ahead of Floyd Patterson, and a forgettable Amos Lincoln (he had a knack for beating Thad Spencer, but that was it). Ernie Terrell, Zora Folley, Cleveland Williams, and Thad Spencer sit one through four. Argentina and Canada take up places eight and nine, with Oscar Bonavena and anvil chinned George Chuvalo. It should be noted that all three foreign boxers got a title shot, but that is more due to the extraordinary champion than the challengers.

1977: 9 of 11.
Ali still rules the heavyweight landscape, a top ten landscape devoid of foreign talent outside of England. Only Joe Bugner (actually born in Hungary) and Richard Dunn manage to crack a truly superior line up of heavyweight contenders. The list, counting down in order, is compiled of George Foreman, Ken Norton, Duane Bobick, Larry Holmes, Jimmy Young, Ron Lyle, Earnie Shavers, and Howard Smith. Not only are the names formidable, but they range in style from the thunderous hitting Foreman and Shavers, to defensive maven Jimmy Young. You also have the overall skill of Larry Holmes and Ken Norton, and of course the overrated comes in the form of Duane Bobick. The only other foreign talent I would have given consideration to, in place of Howard Smith, would be Uruguay's Alfredo Evangelista.

1987: 9 of 11.
Again, America is the dominant force, with only England (again) and Jamaica cracking the top ten. Trevor Berbick is rated fifth, while muscle bound Frank Bruno comes in just under the cutoff at number nine. Another Jamaican, Razor Ruddock, was working his way towards the top ten, but I agree with the ratings that he was not yet ready. Michael Spinks was still considered the champion, and had just completed a two fight sweep of Larry Holmes. Tyson was rated the number one contender, while Holmes' retirement pronouncement were taken seriously enough for him to be omitted by The Ring. The other underachieving 80's contenders were, in order, Tim Witherspoon, Pinklon Thomas, Tony Tubbs, Bonecrusher Smith, Buster Douglas, Tony Tucker, and Tyrell Biggs.

1997: 6 of 10.
Oh oh, the cracks in the damn are beginning to show. Soon more than Lennox Lewis, Andrew Golota, Henry Akinwande, and Alexander Zolkin would come rushing through the widening holes. Mike Tyson was rated number one, with Lennox Lewis, Riddick Bowe, Michael Moorer, and Evander Holyfield following closely. Former champ Tim Witherspoon was hanging on at number seven, and Oliver McCall was in stalking position of Lennox Lewis at number ten. Eastern Bloc fighters were gaining ground as well, but Golota lacked the mental strength and Zolkin turned pro in his late 20's. The quality all around skillsets are still found with the American boxers, but the raw material was starting to be forged by German trainers.

2007: 5 of 10.
I am giving John Ruiz to America, no matter how much some claim him as Puerto Rico's first heavyweight champion. If you take away number four rated James Toney, a blown up middleweight, non Americans take up the top five spots. Wladimir Klitschko is rated number one, followed by Russia's Oleg Maskaev, Nigeria's Samuel Peter, and Belarus’ Sergei Liakhovich. Of course the quality is down, but it seems much more so on the American front. Only ten years ago all around boxers were found, like Holyfield, Bowe, and Moorer. Even in the 80's we saw the talent, even if the fighters never fully maximized it. So does this mean the current European onslaught is a product of America's regression in terms of talent, instead of purely the number of boxers we are putting forth?

Overall analysis - America's division no more. Yes, we have taken a shocking downward spiral in terms of numbers alone in the past ten years. Worse, our product has deteriorated along with the numbers. The one thing Klitschko, Maskaev, Liakhovich, and now Chagaev have (Valuev's size is just freakish, so he does not count) are extensive amateur pedigrees. I believe this is a big part of our problem, along with the fact that American heavyweights are not raised to box from an early age anymore. Now these men are defensive linemen and power forwards who return to boxing once they flunk out of those sports. Europe's big men see a bright future in boxing, and until that is the case in America, as a whole our boxing scene will continue to lose ground to Europe and South America. To say nothing of the potential powerhouse that Africa is. If that continent ever gets its fractured social and economic houses in order, it could produce consistent championship quality athletes in every weight class.

Really good read and well done the writer 8)

Americans used to dominate baseball and basketball too. People living in other countries aren't apes they are human beings equally as skilled as us when given the proper training facilities.

Priceless...we just sold one of the biggest matches in history & now wer'e headed down the spiral?

Heh heh heh. Impossible to please. That's the problem with my fellow countrymen...they all got little man syndrome...nothing's big enough. ;D

It doesn't matter where they come from....They all want to fight in the good ole USA

Great article, cheers for posting smashup :coolclick: #620

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Originally Posted by Punisher136

Americans used to dominate baseball and basketball too. People living in other countries aren't apes they are human beings equally as skilled as us when given the proper training facilities.

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Woah buddy.....BASEBALL is still a very american sport and stronghold. Do lots of hispanics play? YES but also Americans still play a large role in the sport.

Basketball is another issue I have....there are TONS of Americans who are good and play in the NBA....only they didn't go to college and therefore have no fundamentals.....the common NBA American player wants the NBA to be more like the And1 all-stars which I think is the worst shit ever!

And let me ask you why is it always AMERICAN boxing in a downward spiral??? We're doing fine, lots of young talents to replace the Bowe, Holyfield, and Tyson trio

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Originally Posted by bzkfn

Great article, cheers for posting smashup :coolclick: #620

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;)