No Power? No Problem
 By Ian Keogh (Sep 15, 2006) Photo © Everlast
There is nothing in sports like a one punch knockout. Two fighters on even terms until... Wham, a hard right hand or a sweeping left hook and for a few seconds you just can't believe it. Power punchers have always had the fans’ respect and love. Think Joe Louis, George Foreman, Roberto Duran, Mike Tyson and a host of others. All feared because of that ability to end your evening with just one shot. In the boxing game however, it simply isn't always that easy. If every fighter had one punch power boxing message boards wouldn't be bogged down with people arguing about a decision. We probably wouldn't even need judges, someone would always fall. But that's not boxing; boxing is hit and don’t get hit... unless you're Arturo Gatti of course. If everyone had one punch power fighters wouldn't spend years working their asses of in gyms honing their craft, hitting the mitts, heavy bags and sparring. So what makes you a power puncher? Some say it's just the way you're born, others have tried to dispute that by lifting weights and expecting
knockouts... but it doesn't happen. Maybe you're really just born that way. So what if you're not? What if you're a fighter who doesn't have that Sunday punch? You learn to box! The sweet science. You learn how to throw a punch, footwork, angles, combination punching, how to adapt to tough situations and most of all how to survive. Each of the following fighters didn't get to where they did because of one punch power, they got there by learning the sweet science.
Chris Byrd: Two-time heavyweight champion of the world and Olympic bronze medalist (at middleweight). Chris Byrd turned himself into a heavyweight; the only problem was that he may have left what power he had at middleweight. Despite that Byrd has had a tremendous career and beaten some very good fighters along the way. So how did he do it? He boxed. From his southpaw stance he picked off incoming punches and landed effective if not powerful shots that won Byrd many rounds and fights. Byrd's defense was another ticket to the titles. Byrd was slick enough to stand in front of his opponents and make them over and over again before eventually leaving them a beaten fighter. The most impressive thing to me about Byrd is that he almost always gave up a size and power advantage and yet boxed his way to victory.
Winky Wright: The only undisputed junior middleweight champion in the history of boxing. Wright didn't do it with big knockouts either. Wright has travelled all over the world and boxed his way to many wins behind his shotgun jab and airtight defense. It's been nearly seven years since Wright lost a fight, a fight many think he won against Fernando Vargas. Like Byrd, Wright boxes from a southpaw stance and uses angles and double and triple jabs to set up his offense. Wright has been accused in the past of "going into a shell" when he puts his arms up and defends against punches but it's certainly worked for the St. Pete's product as he's on a 12 fight unbeaten streak that includes wins over Sugar Shane Mosley (twice) and a one-sided boxing lesson over Felix Trinidad.
Cory Spinks: The former undisputed welterweight champion and current IBF Junior Middleweight world champion. Spinks is a boxer plain and simple. Most believe Cory can't crack and egg in the ring but maybe he doesn't need to. Spinks, a southpaw, uses his jab, footwork and ring smarts to win fights. Wins over Ricardo Mayorga, Zab Judah and Roman Karmazin weren't flukes, Spinks stood his ground against each fighter and boxed his way to the victory. Almost always giving up a strength advantage Spinks just goes about his business as a smooth fighter looking to pile up points and leave with the win. In fairness it probably doesn't hurt that Cory's father and uncle were famous fighters. Spinks certainly hasn't won very many fights by knockout but he's frustrated enough fighters and beaten them decisively over a career spanning nearly 9 years.
Juan Diaz: This kid might be the best lightweight in the world. If Diaz punched like Diego Corrales he'd already be a huge star in the fight game. While not a big puncher Diaz brings other essential tools that have taken this young fighter to the WBA lightweight world championship. At 30-0 with 15 knockouts some may question why Diaz is on this list, he's here because while he has stopped 50% of his opponents he hasn't done it with single shots. He's a little whirlwind in the ring, never stops punching and uses lots of angles and pressure to break opponents down and score the victory. It says right here that if Juan Diaz had one punch power he'd be a top 10 pound-for-pound fighter right now. Diaz mixes his shots up very well with well placed body shots and well timed head shots, this kid has a bright future in boxing... even if it's 12 rounds at a time.
Ivan Calderon: The WBO minimumweight champion is as talented as any boxer in the world today. Unfortunately for Ivan his small stature and lack of punching power have kept him a secret to the world outside of hardcore fight fans. Calderon is a ring general, he dictates what happens and uses his ability to the fullest. Opponents know Calderon can't really hurt them but his talent and technique alone frustrates all comers and has kept Calderon a champion for more then 3 years now. The master boxer may need to step up a division or two in order to gain worldwide recognition but to true fight fans he's already one of the best boxers today.
Other light hitting but hard working fighters:
Kassim Ouma, Paulie Malignaggi, Sam Soliman and Steve Molitor
Quick hits
- I'm going back and forth on my picks for the Barrera-Juarez and Barrios-Guzman fights this Saturday. Barrera has been in so many wars and fought many tough rounds that it wouldn't be hard to pick against the Mexico City star but I'm taking experience and class over youth and strength on this one. Barrera W12. Barrios vs Guzman is another fight that has me going back and forth but at this moment I'm leaning towards Guzman in a minor upset... I think.
- Why in the world is Winky Wright turning down a reported $5 million to rematch Middleweight Champion Jermain Taylor? That's alot of money to fight a guy you already beat.
- As much as I like Kassim Ouma I don't think he has much of a chance versus Jermain Taylor. He's simply outgunned and only his giant heart will keep him upright... for awhile.
- Be sure to click on the message boards here at doghouseboxing.com and click on boxing chat and enter the October 2006 prediction league I'm running, good fun and a great prize for the winner!
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