Although it may seem obvious of any fighter stepping into the ring for a big bout, in Quillin’s case a strong showing is of utmost importance in accepting this fight with Wright.  And, by “strong showing” Quillin’s camp is clearly thinking of making “Winky” the twenty-first—and most notable—knockout of “Kid Chocolate’s” career.  Anything less will not be nearly as satisfying.

• When: June 2, 2012
• Where: Home Depot Center, Carson, California
• Undercard: The co-feature bout with Antonio Tarver facing Lateef Kayode; undercard features Austin Trout vs. Delvin Rodriguez and Leo Santa Cruz vs. Vusi Malinga

The Pugs and The Prize

Credit: Gene Blevins/ Hogan Photos

Peter “Kid Chocolate” Quillin (26-0, 20 KOs)

Height: 6’1”
Nationality: U.S.A.
Age: 28
Fighting out of: Brooklyn, New York
Stance:  Orthodox

Ronald “Winky” Wright (51-5-1, 25 KOs)

Height: 5’10 ½ ”
Nationality: United States
Age: 40
Fighting out of: Saint Petersburg, Florida
Stance: Southpaw

No championship is at stake, however ProBoxing-Fans.com’s #10 ranked middleweight Quillin puts his pristine record—and a potential title shot— on the line against  Wright, who is fighting for only the second time in nearly five years.

Quillin vs. Wright Fight Analysis

What hurts Wright in this bout is, quite obviously, the time away from the ring.  He will no doubt be in impeccable physical condition come June 2, but will that be enough to overcome the ring rust that has accumulated over the past three years since his loss to Williams?  Add to that the fact that Wright is now a man in his 40s and, save for Bernard Hopkins, that generally doesn't bode well for fighters.

The southpaw will rely on his sharp jab and seven –to-eight punch combinations to force the action.  His movement will be tested by the quicker Quillin, as will his propensity to allow too much offense.  There are many unknowns with Wright, which forces his experience to the forefront as his greatest asset.  The former light middleweight title holder knows what it takes to win on the biggest stage and remain there for some time.  He has squared off with some of this generation’s best fighters at times where they were fighting some of their best fights.  Psychologically, Wright will be ready for this fight.

Detractors of what Peter Quillin has done in his career will simply point to the hype machine that surrounds him as to why he’s suddenly being considered a hot commodity at middleweight.  To do that would be a great slight to a man who has sought out, and defeated, all comers during his career.  Could he have a made move earlier to take on a bigger name in the middleweight division?  Undeniably.

Following his victory over Troy Lowry at 163 in 2007—who then boasted a respectable record—it would’ve made a great deal of sense for Quillin to set his sights on bigger names.  Instead, Quillin spent another five years tuning up decent fighters, but none with the cache of even a 40-year-old Wright.  The hard throwing knockout artist that is “Kid Chocoloate” wants the distinction of being the first man to stop Wright in a fight while stepping over him to the greener pastures of a title hunt, regardless of what stage of his career “Winky” may be.

Quillin vs. Wright Prediction

Winky Wright will look to pull off the improbable in just over two weeks by returning to live action against a very game opponent more than a decade his junior. With styles and life stages clashing, it should make for a very interesting fight to round out a card where the past faces the present.

Expect Quillin to attack early, often and constantly.  He knows who is across the ring from him and is more than confident in his ability.  What makes him especially dangerous in this fight is the belief in the back of his mind that he can go the distance if need be.  Given Wright’s pride, comeback and record of never being stopped is on the line, there’s a very good chance that “Winky” is more defensive than usual in the opening rounds, and for a defensive-shell fighter, that says quite a lot.

Quillin will be looking for the early knockout, throwing those looping hooks he’s accustomed to using.  If Wright can withstand Quillin’s opening salvo for the first couple of rounds, he may win himself the opportunity to settle in and exploit “Kid Chocolate’s” weaknesses, including over-exposure of his chin when throwing from the right side.

Still, Quillin should have the edge, barring an unforeseen letdown in planning.  If the Wright of 2012 continues to defend as loosely as did the Wright of 2009 or 2007, Quillin will pound him at every opportunity.  In order to be successful, Wright will need to survive long enough to allow Quillin to punch himself out a bit, and then take the youngster to school through a series of off-hand jabs and straight lefts.  Wright knows how to win this fight, but whether he has the ability to make it happen is another story altogether.  The thought here is that for the first time in a career spanning 22 years, Wright will lose a fight prior to it reaching the judges’ scorecards.

Prediction:  Quillin by TKO in the sixth round

That bout plus a full undercard that will be featured by an appearance by the always exciting Mike “No Joke” Stewart can be seen live beginning at 7:30 pm est. on www.gfl.tv ($9.99) by clicking: http://www.gfl.tv/Events/Fight/Boxing/Friday_Night_Fights/1487

Credit: Sarah Rivest

Lawrence of Indianapolis is 17-2-2 with twelve knockouts and has scored five straight knockouts over the likes of former contender Lance Whitaker, former U.S. Olympian Jason Estrada and his bout when he stopped Raymond Ocheing.

He expects to have the same result with the very tough Mollo.

“Mike Mollo cant fight.  He just swings wildly”, said a (to put it mild) confident Lawrence from Indianapolis.

“Andrew Golota boxed him and then beat him half to death”, continued Lawrence in reference to Mollo’s January 19, 2008 defeat to Golota.

“The guy has no inside game and he is not ready for me. He doesn’t do anything textbook but I will give him credit because he does take a good beating.”

With the recent hot streak that he is on, Lawrence believes his date with destiny is getting closer by the fight.

“I will be fighting for the championship within a fight or two.  My ratings would be higher except the guys ahead of me are ducking me.”

“Once the networks see what I can do, they will know I  am a serious challenger for the title”

Lawrence held training camp in Indianapolis is proud of his state.

“I am Midwest to the bone and a true Hoosier and can’t wait to bring the Heavyweight championship home to Indianapolis.”

Lawrence is promoted by Fisticuffs Promotions and the CEO Dave Escalet sees big things for Lawrence.

“This is a great fight for Franklin.  And when he looks great on Friday night, It will be six in a row against top competition and he will have earned his opportunity for a big fight”, said Escalet

American boxing fans will have the opportunity to watch red-hot British heavyweight prospect David Price in action this Saturday afternoon (May 19) on  FIGHT NOW TV - live starting at 5:45 PM / ET from Liverpool, United Kingdom.

Price 12-0, 10 KOs), a 2008 Olympic bronze medal winner, defends his British Boxing Board of Control ("BBB of C") British heavyweight crown against veteran Sam Sexton (15-2, 6 KOs) in the 12-round main event that's also for the vacant Commonwealth title.

The undefeated Price is an imposing figure in the ring, standing 6' 8" and weighing 245 pounds.  He is coming off of an impressive BBB of C British heavyweight title-winning performance last January against veteran John McDermott (26-7), in which Price floored his outclassed opponent three times in the opening round.  As a prelude for Saturday afternoon's heavyweight championship match between Price and Sexton, FIGHT NOW TV will replay Price's first-round knockout of McDermott on Friday night (May 18) at 10 PM / ET.

The 28-year-old Price is the No. 8 rated heavyweight in Europe, as well as No. 22 by the World Boxing Council ("WBC"). Sexton (15-2, 6 KOs), who is ranked No. 11 in Europe, is best known for winning the second PrizeFighter Tournament in 2008.  He is the former Commonwealth (British Empire) Heavyweight Champion having twice defeated Irish heavyweight Martin Rogan.

"Frank Maloney has been promoting great, entertaining shows in the United Kingdom for many years," noted FIGHT NOW TV Co-Founder & General Manager Mike Garrow.  "We're fortunate to be partnering with him for this show.  This is a continuation of FIGHT NOW TV delivering world-class fights to American fans.  Price is a physical monster who people are already predicting will become world champion some day.  He has Olympian pedigree and we're delighted to be giving American fans an opportunity to watch him fight live against a trough, experienced opponent in Sexton."

The other FIGHT NOW TV aired bout is the 12-round co-feature between Paul "Eddy" Edwards (9-1, 3 KOs) and Kevin "Satch" Satchell (7-0) for the vacant Commonwealth flyweight championship.

All fights and fighters are subject to change.

Ranked # 9 by the WBA with an undefeated record of 18-0-0 with eight stoppages, Philadelphia's Serrano challenges San Francisco's Mayfield, 15-0-1 (9KO's), in a ten round fight for Mayfield's NABO Title.

In the eight round co-main event, middleweight prospects will clash as heavy-handed knockout artist Jason Escalera of Union City, New Jersey battles Geneva, New York's Nick Brinson.

Also featured is an eight round light heavyweight bout between Albany, New York based contender Vincent Miranda and former world title challenger David Telesco of Portchester, New York.

The undercard of "ESPN FRIDAY NIGHT FIGHTS" includes the Capital Region's favorite son Kevin "KID" Rooney Jr., along with Schenectady junior welterweight Bryan Abraham.

Tickets, priced at $30, $40, $50 and $75, are available through Ticketmaster, (www.Ticketmaster.com, 800-745-3000) or at the Times Union Center Box Office, (www.timesunioncenter-albany.com), and at select local Wal-Mart Music Centers. Tickets are also available by calling Star Boxing at 718-823-2000 or on their website www.starboxing.com.

Cuba has the richest amateur boxing history of just about any nation, and therefore it's no surprise that they're locked and loaded for another huge medal haul, despite a string of defections from top fighters pursuing professional careers.

Cuba's boxing performance at the 2008 Beijing Olympics was actually disappointing -- to a degree. They won four silvers and four bronze medals, but failed to capture any golds, a rare blemish.

However, the Cuban boxing team performed very well at the 2011 World Championships, taking home two gold medals and one silver. Additionally, the only member of their current squad which hadn't already qualified for London did so at the American Qualifying Event by handily winning gold in his weight class.

Here's a rundown of the Cuban Olympic boxing team for the 2012 London Olympics.

• Yosvany Veita Soto - Light Flyweight: 19 years old, Yosvany is one of the younger members of the team. He qualified at the Worlds in 2011 by winning three matches, and in 2010 he took home a bronze at the youth world championships. He's ranked number 6 in the world by the AIBA.
• Robeisy Ramirez - Flyweight: Ramirez, just 18 years old, won gold at the 2010 youth world championships. In the 2011 Worlds, he lost to highly touted Russian Misha Aloyan. Ranked 5th in the world, he's a serious medal contender, and will be competing in a stacked weight class which also includes three-time US Olympian Rau'shee Warren.
• Lazaro Alvarez - Bantamweight: With a number 2 world ranking to his credit, and wins against British Olympian Luke Campbell and American Olympian Joseph Diaz en route to winning the 2011 Worlds, Alvarez is no joke. He'll be the prohibitive favorite to take home Gold in the Bantamweight division.
• Yasniel Toledo - Lightweight: Toledo took home a silver at the 2011 Worlds and is ranked as the number 1 fighter at Lightweight. He's another gold-medal favorite, but will have to fend off the challenge of Italian Lightweight star Domenico Valentino, the world's number 2.
• Rosniel Iglesias - Light Welterweight: Iglesias won the American qualifying event by ousting talented Puerto Rican boxer Francisco Vargas. He has a 2009 World Championship on his resume, as well as a bronze medal performance in the 2008 Beijing Games. He's currently ranked 10th in the world.
• Julio Cesar la Cruz - Light Heavyweight: The captain of the Cuban Olympic boxing team, Julio Cesar la Cruz won gold at the 2011 Worlds, knocking of Russia's Egor Mekhontsev in the process. It's good enough to make him the world's number 1 ranked Light Heavyweight headed into the games.
• Jose Larduet - Heavyweight: Jose Larduet technically isn't even the highest ranked Heavyweight in his own country, according to the AIBA. Still, he'll be representing Cuba at the London Olympics after moving up from Light Heavyweight earlier in his amateur career.
• Erislandy Savon - Super Heavyweight: The name sounds familiar, doesn't it? That's right, 21-year-old Erislandy is nephew to Felix Savon. He has a number 5 world ranking, and lost in the 2011 Worlds to eventual champion Magomed Majidov. He previously won a youth world championship in 2008, at Heavyweight.

Two highly anticipated comebacks are set to begin Saturday night, May 19, at the Pharr (Texas) Convention Center, when Jerry Belmontes and Odlanier Solis return to the ring in separate spotlight bouts on a full card promoted by Main Events, Cavazos Boxing Promotions and Arena Promotions.

Lightweight Jerry Belmontes, 15-0, 5 KOs, returns after nearly one year out of the ring. The Corpus Christi native had a vast amateur career that included national titles in 2003 and 2007. He also made it to the semi-finals of the USA Olympic Trials in 2008. As a professional, Belmontes has beaten everyone put in his path, including his most recent opponent Justo Vallecillo, whom he defeated by unanimous decision in his last start on June 24, 2011. After the layoff, Belmontes is anxious to get back in action.

"What I'm looking for is getting my name out there as one of the top prospects," Belmontes said. "I want to get as many fights as I can this year."

The first of those fights comes Saturday night against Dominican Ramesis Gil, 7-3-5, 5 KOs, in the main event to be televised by TeleFutura on their Solo Boxeo Tecate series. Rising prospects like Belmontes are familiar territory for Gil, who has faced undefeated boxers in his last five starts. Gil upset Luis Joel Gonzalez in his last bout, and will be looking to do the same against Belmontes in their 8-round match.

Heavyweight Odlanier Solis, 17-1, 12 KOs, also looks forward to getting back to business on Saturday. The six-time national Cuban amateur champion and 2004 Olympic Gold Medalist last fought fourteen months ago, in a challenge of WBC heavyweight champion Vitali Klitschko, on March 19, 2011. That frustrating affair ended abruptly in the first round when a sudden knee injury forced Solis out of the fight almost before it began. Up to that point, "La Sombra" was boxing comfortably and staying on his game plan against the champ. However, the end came at 2:59 of the first round.

After some time off and a lengthy rehab, Solis is ready to fight again. He'll face Konstantin Airich, 23-5-2, 17 KOs, in a 12-round fight for the vacant IBF Inter-Continental heavyweight title. Airich, a former European and Intercontinental champion, is riding a six-bout winning streak that includes knockouts in his last three. Solis will have advantages in age, height and weight - not to mention his world class amateur pedigree - but Airich has stayed busy and has never looked better than in his most recent outings. This title fight will be broadcast internationally, and highlights of the fight will be shown on TeleFutura's Solo Boxeo Tecate.

Although the focus will be on these two major comeback stories, the remainder of the card is a Texas-heavy lineup that should thrill the Pharr fans, as well as TeleFutura viewers.

Super featherweight Oscar Tovar of Alton, TX takes on Gilberto Cancino of Brownsville, TX in the televised 4-round opener. Mission, Texan Raul Tovar faces Juan Ovalle of Mercedes, TX, in a 4-round welterweight bout.

In the non-televised portion of the show, lightweight Angel Hernandez, McAllen, TX, fights Ramiro Torres, San Antonio, in a 4-rounder, and Felix Piedra of Mercedes, TX, and Juan Ruiz, of San Juan, TX clash in a 6-round light heavyweight bout.

I was surprised to say the least at the Board’s press statement dated May 9, 2012 in relation to the Haye v Chisora fight at West Ham and particularly the references to the Federation Luxembourgeoise de Boxe. I am also concerned at the threats made to our members and other license holders of the Board of Control to withdraw their licences if they participate in the show.

Our Association has worked alongside the BBB of C for 13 years. Generally speaking this has been a good working relationship and we see no reason for this to change if we all genuinely share a passion for the betterment of British Boxing. However, over the last few years certain actions taken by the Board have alienated license holders and we have no effective vote on these decisions. The only people who can vote and have a say in how the Board is run are the Area Council Officers. However, these Officers are not voted in by the license holders but are appointed by the Board and the Board itself appoints its own directors. Therefore, there is no-one who can vote on any issues at all who has any duty to represent the license holders and we feel we have no voice.

Whilst we raised these concerns with you, nothing happened and you refused to even discuss them. This culminated last year with a protest by license holders at the Company’s AGM. As a result of which the AGM was suspended with the Board agreeing to meet with a delegation of license holders to discuss the way forward. The delegation (democratically elected) met with you in Birmingham. We were told that you would listen to what we had to say but would make no changes; there was little point in us meeting.

Since our meeting in Birmingham, there have been further matters which caused us concern. Firstly Jane Couch’s licenses were taken away from her in what seemed to us to be a personal dispute with her and the Chairman rather than a matter which should have concerned the Board. This dispute exposed worrying concerns about Mr Giles before the Board stepped down having spent time and money fighting the dispute. Secondly, a complaint was made by Mr Frank Warren over the lack of BBB of C support of Dereck Chisora when he fought in Germany.

He alleged that had the Chairman been more pro-active then the issues in  Germany (including checking the security arrangements) could have been avoided. I was not present in Germany and so do not know what happened, but whoever was responsible, it does show that the Board and the Chairman have lost the support of various licensees. I speculate, but this could be because the Chairman has other loyalties which could cause license holders to question his full support. He is the Vice Chairman of the EBU and holds a prominent position with the WBC.

After our meeting in Birmingham, the members of our Association together with other license holders entered into discussions with the Federation Luxembourgeoise de Boxe. The Federation has been in existence in its present form since inception in 1922. It is affiliated to the EBU, WBA, WBO, IBF and WBC and it therefore is recognized by the BBBofC. Indeed the BBBofC have authorized boxers to fight in tournaments regulated by the Federation on many occasions in the past. It could not do otherwise without being in breach of its own Rules. Less than a month ago the Federation regulated and staged a show in Germany with the full support of the German Federation who permitted its own license holders to take part.

We were attracted to the Luxembourg Federation because its safety record is second to none and it has personal injury insurance in place and strict procedures for protecting the safety of boxers. However,coupled with that, it is run by its members for its members. Managers, promoters and trainers are allowed to vote at the Company’s AGM and therefore have a real say as to how boxing is run. Whilst the Federation regulates the safety of boxing, it confines this to licensing, ringside supervision and the protection of the boxers in the ring, allowing the members freedom in other areas. Therefore we entered into an agreement so that the Association is now the Federation’s representative in the UK and has been since March 12th 2012. I informed you of this and I informed you of the insurance and safety provisions when we met. This makes press release all the more surprising as I had been completely open with you as to what we were doing, the reasons why and the protection which would be afforded to the boxers under the Federation.

Moving onto the licensing of Haye v Chisora. Neither boxer is on the banned / suspension list. Chisora was sanctioned by your own body and having heard the evidence you decided to withdraw his license rather than ban him. It is worth noting that this was under enormous pressure and scrutiny of the press. We are surprised that you question whether these boxers should be licensed as they are both fit and well to fight, neither have a criminal conviction and neither have been banned by yours or any other sanctioning body. This is especially so when there has been not a squeak out of the Board over Mayweather, Tyson, Scott Welch, Danny Williams and currently Scott Dixon to name but a few.

From the perspective of our Association, I am concerned about your attempt to intimidate your own members into not taking part. You do this in two ways. First, you claim that you will de-license any member who takes part in the fight. This is unlawful and a breach of your own Rules. Secondly you seek to limit the insurance for boxers who are licensed by the BBBofC and would ordinarily have the benefit of insurance even if they fight under a different sanctioning body. This, in particular, is an extraordinary move for the BBBofC to seek to limit its own boxers’ insurance when they have paid license fees and taxes for the benefit of this insurance. I seek from you the confirmation of your insurers of their position – presumably you got this before issuing the press release and so can send it to me by return.

On behalf of our Association and the Federation, we require from you agreement that you will not seek to interfere with the fight and show. If this is not forthcoming by close of business on Friday, May 18 2012 then the following will happen:

1) The membership of the Professional Boxing Promoters Association will move for a vote of no-confidence in the Board; and

2) The Federation of Luxembourg will consult its lawyers to start proceedings for restraint of trade that is if these proceedings have not by then been brought by another individual or company in the meantime.

I look forward to hearing from you and if you wish to meet and discuss matters, do let me know.

Yours sincerely,

Bruce Baker

Chairman
Professional Boxing Promoters Association
Representatives Federation Luxembourgeoise de Boxe

In addition to the 10-round WBA Fedelatin Heavyweight Championship main event between "Fast" Fres Oquendo (33-7, 21 KOs) and Joey "Minnesota Ice" Abell (28-5, 27 KOs), no less than 9 big fights are now scheduled, including an intriguing eight-round all-Chicago middleweight match-up between Donatas Bondorovas (14-3-1, 3 KOs) and Ramon Valenzuela (7-0, 1 KO).

Also added to the schedule are undefeated middleweight Meegal Harper (5-0, 5 KOs) of Chicago Heights taking on Traverse City, Michigan's more experienced Chris Grays in a four-rounder and pro-debuting welterweight Nick Ramirez of Rockford, Illinois, facing off against Lorenzo Wilson (1-1-1) of Indianapolis in a four-round fight.

The opponent for light welterweight Genaro Mendez's (4-1-1, 3 KOS) six-round fight will be David Laque of Bloomington, Minnesota.

The full lineup:

• Genaro Mendez (Chicago) vs. David Laque (Bloomington, MN)
• David "Diesel" Latoria (Chicago) vs. Stanley Allen (Gary, IN)
• Mike "Hollywood" Jimenez (Chicago) vs. Adrian Hermann (Everett, WA)
• David Martin III (Hobart, IN) vs. Tim Washington (Toledo, OH)
• Phillip Triantafillo (Chesterton, IN) vs. Emerson Chasing Bear (Rapid City, SD)
• Terry Martin (Chicago) vs. Donta Woods (Atlanta, GA)
• Donatas Bondorovas (Chicago) vs.Ramon Valenzuela (Chicago)
• Meegal Harper (Chicago Heights, IL) vs. Chris Grays (Traverse City, MI)
• and pro-debut Nick Ramirez (Rockford) vs. Lorenzo Wilson (Indianapolis, IN)
• "Fast" Fres Oquendo (Chicago) vs. Joey Abell (Coon Rapids, MN)- Fedelatin Heavyweight Title

Alvarez, a 28-year-old Colombian native who lives in Montreal, is on the fast track to stardom in the 175-pound division.  The 2008 Colombian Olympian captured the NABO title belt last December, stopping Emiliano Cayetano (21-3) in the opening round.  Alvarez, who is rated No. 15 by the World Boxing Organization ("WBO"), won all eight rounds in his most recent fight against Rayco Saunders (22-15-2) this past April.

"On June 8," Alvarez said about his 10-round main event, "it will be my first fight as the main event of the GYM series and I'm very proud. In the ring, I intend to justify the confidence they have placed in me, and put on a good show for the Quebec public. Shawn Hawk is a fiery young boxer who has determined to win, but I am sure that I have what it takes to keep my belt in my adopted country."

The 27-year-old Hawk, fighting out of Atlantic City (NJ), is riding a five-fight win streak, his last four coming since he dropped down in weight to compete in the light heavyweight division.  Hawk's victims at 175 pounds have included Henry Buchanan (20-2), Otis Griffin (23-8-2) and Rubin Williams (29-10-1) for the Sovereign Nations title.

Exciting Montreal middleweight David Lemieux (25-2, 24 KOs) is a caged lion after being sidelined with a right hand injury he suffered last December in his fight against Joachim Alcine (33-2-1, 19 KOs).  The 23-year-old Lemieux, ranked No. 23 by the World Boxing Council ("WBC"), takes on tough Mexican-American Jaudiel "Negro" Zepeda (12-5-1, 9 KOs), who gave Renan St-Juste (23-3-1, 15 KOs) all he could handle in his last fight.

"With this fight," Lemieux predicted, "I restart my career. I know I have disappointed many of my supporters but I recently learned a lot and have matured. I cannot wait to reconnect with the action. Without looking too far ahead, of course, I dream of fighting rematches against (Marco Antonio) Rubio and Alcine in the near future."

Fighting on a stacked undercard are a trio of talented, unbeaten heavyweights -- Oscar "Kaboom" Rivas (10-0, 6 KOs), Eric Barrack (7-0, 6 KOs) and Didier Bence (4-0, 2 KOs).  Rivas's opponent will be announced shortly.

Barrack was spectacular on April 20 in his victory by second-round knockout of rugged Sandy Pembroke, fighting out of British Columbia. This time around Barrack faces another former Canadian Olympic boxing champion, Sheldon Hinton (11-8-1, 4 KO), of Alberta, in a six-round bout. Barrack intends to make a powerful statement as one of the best, young heavyweight Canadian boxers with another spectacular knockout.

Bence, who has been out of the ring since last December due to a facial injury, is rapidly developing. His battle-tested opponent, Stéphane "Brutus" Tessier (3-28-1, 1KO), of Longueuil, promises to push young Bence in their six-round match.

Also scheduled to fight on the undercard is exciting middleweight Ahmad Cheikho (6-4-2, 5K), also fighting out of Montreal, who is a protégé of Camille Estephan (Eye of the Tiger Management). One additional fight will soon be announced.

As with all of the classic, traditional weight divisions in boxing, featherweight has a rich and storied tradition, and its list of the top 10 best fighters is deep and talented. However, unlike nearly every other division, the number 1 guy at the top of the heap is a pretty clear-cut choice. Take a look at the 10 best featherweight boxers in history.

1. Willie Pep (1940-1966):

No argument here on the universally-recognized top featherweight of all-time. One could be original and go with a different pick, but it just wouldn’t hold any water. The “will o’ the wisp” was one of a kind--an absolute genius in the ring. By the time he dropped the belt to the #2 man on this list, he was 134-1-1. His final record of 229-11-1 is even more amazing considering he took several dives and fought on well beyond his prime.

Pep first won the belt in 1942, just after turning 20, and nobody could touch him until 1948. Pep was slowed by a 1947 plane crash, setting up his defeat to Sandy Saddler--the most fearsome of all featherweights. But in the 1949 Fight of the Year, a post-prime Pep produced a performance for the ages in regaining the belt from Saddler in breathtaking fashion.

After 3 more defenses, he lost the title back to Saddler. Perhaps the most naturally-gifted defensive fighter ever, Pep would continue on to 1966, with mixed results and some definitely shady outcomes as well. Still, he was a beautiful thing to watch--the greatest of all 126-pounders and one of brightest gems in the landscape of boxing history.

2. Sandy Saddler (1944-1956):

Long, lean, hard-hitting, and as dirty and ruthless as they come, Saddler was probably the hardest night’s work of anyone on this list. Some might say he gets the bulk of his credit for winning 3 of 4 from Willie Pep, but that sure counts for a lot. And his slew of wins over various champions and Hall of Famers also speaks volumes.

Just two fights after defending against fellow-HOF’er Flash Elorde by knockout, eye problems forced him to retire while still champion at 126 and 130--with 103 KOs. He could be inconsistent and bent the rules quite a bit, but not many featherweights brought this kind of punching power to the table against as many top fighters as Saddler beat.

Check out our entire collection of the all-time best fighters by weight class, as well as the breakdown of how these lists were made and what factors were included.

3. Abe Attell (1900-1917):

“The Little Hebrew” (they weren’t too P.C. in the old days were they?) ruled the featherweight roost from 1903-1912. He was cagey, but could bring the power when he needed to, scoring 53 knockouts in 91 wins. Only 18, Attell held fellow top-10’er George Dixon to a pair of draws, before beating him at 19. Won the title in 1903 at 20 and proceeded to whip the best men around for the next decade.

Even lightweight greats like Battling Nelson and Ad Wolgast couldn’t get the better of him. There are some foggy results on his record, but wins over two men on this list, title defenses in the high-teens, and a nearly-decade long run as champion make him one of the best to ever do it at featherweight.

4. Henry Armstrong (1931-1945):

Armstrong makes his third top-ten all-time divisional ranking, after also making the lists at welterweight and lightweight. The urge would be to assume he was at his most lethal at the lightest of the weights he competed in--and that would be true to some extent. By the time he rounded into shape, he was still a featherweight. It was at this weight where Armstrong became perhaps the most dominant fighter ever. He sponged a lot of losses at this weight before the juggernaut form kicked in, but when it did--look out!

Starting in 1937, he was killing everybody, with the year ending in another wipeout, over champ Petey Sarron. His stay as champ was brief, as he set his sights on higher weights. But this is the division where the legend of “Homicide Hank” began to form. In a mythical heads-up tournament involving the best of all featherweights, this is probably the odds-on pick to win the whole thing. 1937 Armstrong was about as unbeatable a fighter that ever existed.

5. Salvador Sanchez (1975-1982):

Having died in a tragic car wreck at age 23, there is no telling what Sanchez could have accomplished. Nevertheless, he still accomplished a ton. Turning pro at 16, Sanchez amassed a 44-1-1 (32) mark in just over 7 years in the game--his only loss a Mexican Bantamweight Title shot at age 18. He eventually matured into a featherweight and gained prominence with a knockout over Hall of Fame WBC champ Danny Lopez, repeating the win later in the year.

Sanchez defended against 47-1 Ruben Castillo, unbeaten Patrick Ford, and Juan LaPorte. Then came his biggest challenge--unbeaten Hall of Famer Wilfredo Gomez, who was stopped in the 8th round. Two more defenses would follow, before Sanchez stopped future great Azumah Nelson in the 15th round in his final fight. Sanchez, more of an elegant boxer, holds 4 wins over HOF fighters, all by knockout.

6. Johnny Kilbane (1907-1923):

One of the overlooked greats, Cleveland Ohio’s Kilbane ruled the featherweight division from 1912 all the way to 1923. Kilbane dropped a decision to Abe Attell in 1910, but exacted revenge by taking Attell’s title in 1912. Defenses came against Jimmy Walsh and Johnny Dundee. He decisioned future lightweight champion Rocky Kansas in 1915. In the same year, Kilbane scored a news decision against lightweight legend Benny Leonard. After defending against “KO” Chaney, Kilbane won another news decision over another lightweight Hall of Famer in Freddie Welsh. Getting old and after over a decade as champ, he dropped his belt to Eugene Criqui in 1923.

7. Eusebio Pedroza (1973-1992):

In 1976, you would have gotten long odds against Pedroza ever becoming a great champion. He was stopped in two by bantamweight titleholder Alfonso Zamora and in his next fight lost by KO to Oscar Arnal. Three wins later, he was WBA Featherweight Champion, after stopping Cecilio Lastra in 1978. He would go on to score a record-setting 19 defenses--mostly against very solid competition. The indefatigable champion was a rule-breaker, but also an immensely-gifted boxer and punishing hitter.

A knockout over Ruben Olivares was a high-profile defense. A traveling champion, Pedroza defended against toughies all over the globe--winning most by knockout. Rocky Lockridge was perhaps unlucky to not get the decision in a 1980 bout, but Pedroza exacted revenge in 1983. Other high-quality wins included Patrick Ford, Juan LaPorte, and Bernard Taylor. It would be all the way until 1985 before Pedroza would lose--dropping the belt to Barry McGuigan.

8. Vicente Saldivar (1961-1973):

The Mexican craftsman turned pro in 1961 and quickly began making strides with his thoughtful, yet aggressive and passionate style. He began serving international notice with a decision over future lightweight great Ismael Laguna in 1964. In his next fight, he ripped the WBC and WBA title from 45-1-3 champ Sugar Ramos. Defenses came against future titleholders Raul Rojas and Howard Winstone (three times). Also defended his crown against tough Japanese Mitsonuri Seka (three times).

But following his third win over Winstone, Saldivar retired suddenly at age 24. Less that two years later, he returned and beat another future titleholder in Jose Legra, setting up a shot at the holder of his old title--Johnny Famechon, who Saldivar beat by decision in Italy in 1970. He would lose in his first defense and lost to another legend in Eder Jofre before hanging ‘em up in 1973.

9. George Dixon (1886-1906):

The first black world champion in history was no flash in the pan--reigning for the entire last decade of the 19th century. It can be hard to evaluate fighters where there is no film and when the structure of the sport was so different, but Dixon’s greatness holds up despite the era in which he competed. His accomplishments are difficult to quantify, but before 1900, he was as difficult as anyone to beat, while topping the best men in his division time and again. He stayed on for too long and didn’t have the best record when all was said and done, but the fast and talented Dixon was surely one of the best to ever do it at featherweight.

10. Jim Driscoll (1901-1919):

“Peerless” Jim Driscoll was just that--losing just once in his first 59 fights. One of the greatest fighters to ever come out of Wales, Driscoll showed he meant business with 3 wins over ex-champ George Dixon. Driscoll dominated a demanding European circuit, then came to the U.S. to defeat Abe Attell in a news decision. For some bizarre reason, he never got to fight Attell for the title--somewhat of a black-eye on the record of Attell. The first World War certainly slowed his career, but along with Attell--he was the best featherweight in the world in the early-20th century. Holds win over 2 men on this list.