Manny Pacquiao's mystique has dissipated. Floyd Mayweather continues to seek out the easiest possible fights. Their much anticipated encounter is no longer relevant. The capricious winds of the sporting world have shifted. New lions have entered the Prideland.
Pacquiao is interested in a fifth Marquez bout. The last battle was electrifying epic but these have now become redundant. There are greater shows to produce. Pacquaio is one of the greatest of all time and deserves his spot in Canastota. However, he has failed to make the fight people want to see. He has lost his last two fights. He has not recorded a knockout since 2009. He is no longer the same Pacman that gobbled up opponents in a frantic and frenetic fashion.
Mayweather is looking to clash with Robert Guerrero. Anyone interested? While undefeated fighters like Austin Trout and Timothy Bradley patiently sit available on the sidelines, this is what the pound-for-pound king of the sport offers? Sergio Martinez has also offered to come down to meet "Money" at a lower weight which would be a fan-friendly affair between two of the pound-for-pound best. Yet, Mayweather prefers the safer route in challenging an exciting, but limited, Guerrero. This is typical.
Mayweather's M.O., is to simply find the easiest big name fight: a heartless Victor Ortiz, a smaller Marquez, an elder Mosley etc. Our hopes are better invested in other talent to see the best boxing available.
Fortunately, the three wise men have returned and their gifts are much more interesting than perfume and incense. They bring speed, power and the spirit of great fighters. We warmly welcome Adrien Broner, Gary Russell Jr. and Saul "Canelo" Alvarez to the podium.
The new generation starts now. Their time has come. Morning has broken and brought a triumphant light of hope to the universe of the sweet science. This "Terrific Trio" that will carry the sport for the next decade is off to an auspicious start.
Broner has called out Yuriorkis Gamboa on Twitter.
Adrien BronerVerified@AdrienBroner
@50cent what's good where your Lil fighter GAMBOA at let's WORK
This fight would be better than Pacquiao-Mayweather. Gamboa, at 30, and Broner, at 23, are rising stars with incredible talent and the penchant for producing exciting fights. Broner's 25-0 record against the Cuban's 22-0 stellar resume and Olympic gold medal equate to a watershed moment in sports history. A return to the days when the best fought the best and boxing produced meaningful rivalries and marquee main events.
The WBC lightweight champion is defending his title against Richar Abril This is dangerous for Broner, as Abril recently dominated Brandon Rios en route to losing a split decision. Another memorable performance by "The Problem" would segue beautifully into a clash with the Cuban dynamo. That is not the only intriguing contest awaiting one of boxing's future leaders.
At 135 pounds, he is one weight class below the deepest in the sport. The light welterweight division is overflowing with unheralded talent. Fans would be blessed to see Broner fight Brandon Rios, Timothy Bradley, Danny Garcia, Lucas Matthysse, Lamont Peterson, Juan Manuel Marquez, Joan Guzman, Marcos Maidana and the Mexican Rocky, Josesito Lopez. In addition to his dramatic knockout fight style, aficionados are relieved to see a star with this fighting spirit. Life is looking great for boxing fans thanks to this prodigious talent. Moreover, he is only one of three new torchbearers.
Russell has shown brilliance and hand speed that reminds people of the venerable Roy Jones Jr. Russell, at 24 years old who boasts a perfect 20-0 record and is stunning pundits with his incomparable skill. The future of the sport is safe in the competent hands of this pugilistic prodigy. He is currently one weight class below Gamboa and two behind Broner, so inevitably unbridled anticipation will ensue regarding massive megabouts amongst these stars.
Moving up in weight, the sport is also looking very bright. Mexico's most famous ginger, Alvarez has impressed one and all with his unblemished 41-0 record. The WBC 154 pound champion has been brought along carefully and has passed every calculated test with flying colors. The 22 year old is clearly now ready to rock with the best.
Alvarez has a world of options in order to forge his legacy. In his own division, there are mega bouts available with Austin Trout and Miguel Cotto and even Mayweather. When the body morphs with age, there are excellent fights at 160 too: Julio Cesar Chavez Jr, Sergio Martinez, Gennady Golovkin, Peter Quillin.
The time has come to thank the last generation and hope the new one does not follow in their footsteps.The 34-year-old Filipino politician has proven himself to be the truest of iconic warriors and has earned the respect and admiration of all. The 35-year-old American boxing guru has dazzled the planet with skill and grace and an excellence rarely exhibited by mortal men. Yet, their glorious legacies are tainted with their failure to meet in their prime and to satisfy consumer demand. 24/7, the media and all of today's marvelous marketing tools should now be focused on promoting the "Terrific Trio".
Gracefully, and respectfully, our eyes now gaze to the next generation and smile with the hopes of a more cooperative fighting era. Broner, Russel, Alvarez, please rise and accept your anointment as the new kids on the block. Allow the axiom, "Anyone, anywhere, anytime." guide you to glory.
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