SANCHEZ MAKES TOP BOXER LIST FOR COLORADO

Rocky Mountain Boxing recently posted their top 13 2004 Colorado fighters

ONE

Verno Phillips

(38-9-1)

Do not let anyone tell you different, Verno was one round shy of retaining the IBF strap, against a man who will now face the 'Winky Wright Syndrome'. No one will of name or large money value will want to fight Kassim Ouma. Verno would have probably faced the same problem. He is the best in Colorado, undoubtedly.

 

 

TWO

Davarryl Williamson

(20-3)

Davarryl Williamson is #2 behind Verno because of the Mesi Freeze. Williamson has held various regional belts and beat some very good fighters. I truly believe that he was on his way to beating Klitschko, the boxing gods just didn't smile upon him and he was left with the technical decision loss. I think his 'touch of sleep' right hand makes him dangerous against anyone in the sport. It also puts him at #2.

 

 

THREE

Donald Camarena

(13-1)

Camarena has all ingredients of a world champion. He is a gym rat doing two a days and getting kicked out of the gym by his trainer Aurelio Martinez. Not to mention the time he spends coaching the amateurs, which I believe will help to sharpen his ring intelligence. His only loss was a close and controversial one to then undefeated Luis Arceo who is now 17-1-2. He also holds a version of the WBC Mundo Hispano title which should lead to rankings and better bout opportunities. His youth, skills, work habits and potential put him at #3, not to mention his natural gifts of speed and quick reflex.

 

 

FOUR

Stevie Johnston

(35-3-1)

Johnston was number one last time I did a list, June of 2003 I believe-slacking. I wrote at this at that time and most of it still holds true.

1. Stevie Johnston-Stevie is always in the picture for a title shot. He is always rated high by the ABC's of boxing and has had strong title runs and only lost twice with one draw, and all were very controversial. The loss to Cesar Bazan was a split-decision, the loss to JL Castillo was the 2000 Upset of the Year-Ring Magazine and the draw in the rematch wasn't even realized until after the ESPN had gone off the air. Has also been basically avoided by Floyd Mayweather. He is fighting an IBF eliminator on the De La Hoya-Mosley under card against Juan Lazcano, with the winner hopefully getting a shot at "Pretty Boy."

He was knocked out for the first time in his career by Juan Lazcano on the De LaHoya-Mosely fight, which I went to. Stevie was just a step behind but I honestly felt that he had a chance to win all the way up until the knock out. I have spoken with Stevie and his trainer George Durbin and he is planning to gear up for another run at a title. I think that he would give Juan Diaz a great fight with the possibility of an upset. If he can't get into a title bid in his next 2-3 fights, I believe he would be a great test for Donald Camarena in what could be a passing of the torch. He is below Camarena at #4 because of the year lay off and because I believe Camarena may have what it takes to beat him. If he hasn't fought by the next rating time, which I will hopefully put out on a schedule of some sort, he will fall off the list entirely.

 

 

FIVE

 Andres Pacheco

(13-2)

(13-2) 'Panda' Pacheco is one of the best fighters and has recently cemented his spot at #5 in showing that he is on the world class level. He knocked Frankie Sanchez out in two which is quite a feat in itself considering the talent Sanchez has faced and fared. I would love to see Pacheco and Elco Garcia battle for state supremacy at junior middle, Verno Phillips with standing although I think Pacheco and Phillips would be a good local treat. But there is a better one below. Pacheco holds down #5.

 

 

SIX

Adrian Mora

(12-0)

Mora finally got his chance to test his skills on the world class level with Steve Quinonez and although he may not have shined in the eyes of some, he definitely got the W with a lopsided unanimous decision. He will face another tough one in Francisco Bojado conqueror Juan Carlos Rubio later this month. A win here could move him up a notch or two past Pacheco and Johnston to #4. Camarena looms at #3 in a state dream bout. Adrian Mora is a solid #6.

 

 

SEVEN

J.C. Candelo

(27-7-3)

The better local treat would be Phillips and J.C. Candelo. Or better yet put Elco Garcia against Panda Pacheco in an eliminator opposite the Candelo-Phillips bout. Candelo was #3 last time out he slips having lost his last two bouts. Losing to Ouma is nothing to hang your head about but dropping a decision to unheralded Eduardo Sanchez may be. He is still in the top ten at a falling #7.

 

 

EIGHT

Elco Garcia

(16-3)

Garcia should look to catch Candelo right now while he might be there for the taking. Having to make a true choice I think Candelo would win, but it could be a winnable fight. Garcia beat respectable Anthony Bartinelli last year as well as local middle weight Ayo Fadeyi before losing to prospect Ishmael Arvin. He bounced back last month with a TKO over Robert Bailey in New Mexico to break into the 'Great 8'.

 

 

NINE

Anthony Mora

(12-0)

Mora has had some hand problems but his activity level must pick up. Two fights in 17 months will not lead nor prepare him for the fights he says that he is ready for. He had a chance at 2000 Olympian Koba Gogoladze but an injury kept him from landing the bout. I think he should and will follow his brother's lead and step it up. He makes the top ten at #9.

 

 

TEN

Roy Delgado

(12-3-2)

Delgado holds down the final top ten position. Two draws with Jensen, the second of which I thought he won hands down, and the lopsided loss to Isaac Mendoza drop him down from the last ratings. A bout with #11 Russell Jones would be interesting and could move either up a notch or two. Delgado would give many of Colorado's younger fighter's from 133335-147 a great step up opportunity, but I don't see Delgado going to a 'gate keeper' status as his pride would keep him from it.

 

 

ELEVEN

Russell Jones

(18-10, actually 18-11, the Aragon loss isn't on his BoxRec)

Jones has been in with some of the very best and after shaking off 4 years of ring rust in a loss to Tommy Aragon he has gotten back on track. He has put together two impressive wins in a row in a decision against Hector Saez and a highlite film knock out over up and comer Arturo Quintero. Jones can make a few waves on the national NABF type of level if he continues winning. I would like to see him and some of locals go including Larry Gonzales and the Mora's in addition to #10 Delgado. Jones is new on the Colorado Boxing scene this year and just misses the top 10 at #11.

 

 

twelve

Ayo Fadeyi

(9-5-1)

Fadeyi has been up and down for the better portion of his career with most of his losses coming on the road. His recent showdown with Elco Garcia didn't come off as planned in the four rounder. I would like to see them make it a sixer and do it again. Another local fight I would like to see would be with prospect Miguel Pasillas whose height might help him with the naturally bigger man. Pasillas told me after his last bout that he was done at 154 so it could be a good match up once Pasillas gets a few more bouts under his belt.

 

 

thirteen

Frankie Sanchez

(13-13-1)

Sanchez sneaks on in the final spot based on his level of competition despite dropping his last 7. He has held his own with many of the best talents out there but has recently lost to Israel Garcia and stable mate Art Medina which drops him down from the last time out. I would love to see Frankie at about 135-140 lbs. I think he would be Pernell Whitaker like with his defensive skills.