Fight fans these days don’t often get guaranteed excitement/value for money; not even if they pony up some serious dough. Too many times, a hardworking fan has parted with something like £20 in the U.K or $55 in the U.S, only to be left feeling disappointed. Make no mistake, the Pay-Per-View industry has proved to be a serious gamble on many occasions.
But the following fighters – in the opinion of this writer, anyway – ALWAYS give fans value for money and never leave them feeling aggrieved after having paid so as to view.
Want almost certain guaranteed bang for your buck (as the saying goes), or punches for your pound? Then watch these guys fight!
In reverse order, today’s most consistently exiting, entertaining, satisfying and pleasing pugilists:
10: Tyson Fury.
Sometimes wild and even clumsy, Fury is always ready to rumble. Fury can be put down, but so far he’s always gotten up and won with drama. With a dash of controversy thrown in, the unbeaten British giant is unmissable entertainment.
Chances of getting into The Hall Of Fame one day: 3 out of 10.
9: Adrien Broner.
Cocky, arrogant and already controversial, Broner just might be the best growing talent in boxing today. Whether you tune in to see “The Problem” win or lose, you always get lots of punches, swagger and speed for your cash.
Chances of getting into The Hall Of Fame one day: 6 out of 10.
8: Carl Froch.
Simply put: when has this guy ever been in a boring fight? (okay, I’ll give you the Andre Ward fight, but you can put that largely dull 12-rounder down to Ward). Froch Vs. Kessler (twice), Bute, Taylor and Pascal all proved beautifully thrilling.
Chances of getting into The Hall Of Fame one day: 8 out of 10.
7: Gennady Golovkin.
This middleweight sensation is already being looked at as THE hardest hitting 160-pounder on the planet. “GGG” might also be the best middleweight out there. With his vicious, make-one-mistake-and-you’re-out power, Golovkin has lit up his division in a major way.
Chances of getting into The Hall Of Fame one day: 6 out of 10.
6: Adonis Stevenson.
Another pure puncher, Stevenson is also vulnerable and raw. Add it all up, and a KO, one way or the other, is virtually guaranteed!
Chances of getting into The Hall Of Fame one day: 4 out of 10.
5: Mike Alvarado.
A genuine heart on his sleeve kind of guy. “Mile High” is also a real life Rocky. A warrior who is simply never, ever willing to concede defeat.
Chances of getting into The Hall Of Fame one day: 5 out of 10.
4: Ruslan Provodnikov.
Possessing all the heart in the world, Provodnikov has used this and his more than respectable punching power to overcome his technical shortcomings. Never willing to take a step backwards, this guy gives his all each and every time out – one look at his face post-fight lets you know this.
Chances of getting into The Hall Of Fame one day: 5 out of 10.
3: Lucas Matthysse.
Raw power, of the truly chilling kind! With his constant seek and destroy mentality, this Argentine wrecking machine has already given us a whole load of highlight reel-worthy fight enders.
Chances of getting into The Hall Of Fame one day: 6 out of 10.
2: Marcos Maidana.
See the following: Maidana Vs. Victor Ortiz, Amir Khan, Erik Morales and most recently Josesito Lopez. ‘Nuff said!
Chances of getting into The Hall Of Fame one day: 4 out of 10.
1: Amir Khan.
Super fast, super explosive and always, always vulnerable. With as huge a heart as anyone you can name in today’s boxing world, Khan is always involved in the kind of don’t blink fights that make that particular cliché bearable. With sheer, often exhausting tension provided pretty much every time out, what’s not to like when “King Khan” rumbles!?
Chances of getting into The Hall Of Fame one day: 5 out of 10.