RINGSIDE
journey seemed over with a razor-thin loss to WBO beltholder Yoshiki Takei last September, but the Okinawan slugger established himself as a top five 118-pounder with back-to-back unanimous draws (how rare is that?) in title bouts vs. Seiya Tsutsumi and Vargas in 2025. Manny Pacquiao – The Hall of Famer didn’t beat Father Time or Mario Barrios but didn’t lose (and, more importantly, he didn’t get beat up). He looked
protege passes the eye test, but the lightweight’s brain trust needs to step up his activity and the level of his opposition. Jadier Herrera (17-0, 15 KOs) – The flashy 22-year-old lightweight has only fought once in 2025, a seventh-round TKO of Jose Macias in March, but he was the first to stop the rugged Mexican veteran. The Cuban southpaw ate his share of right hands in the early rounds, so he’s still a work in progress. opposition – British gatekeeper Troy Williamson and former prospect Lorenzo Simpson – so far this year. Simpson gave him a good fight, which should help the New Yorker mature. Callum Walsh (14-0, 11 KOs) – The Irish junior middleweight turned heads with a first-round KO of 19-1 Scottish standout Dean Sutherland in March. At press time, the 24-year- old southpaw boxer-puncher was set to face Fernando Vargas Jr. on the Canelo-Crawford undercard, a coveted showcase that should tell us more about his potential. Jahi Tucker (15-1-1, 6 KOs) – The 22-year-old middleweight has won two 10-rounders vs. solid TRAINER OF THE YEAR Robert Garcia – Last year’s winner is my front-runner due to his fine work with Bam Rodriguez, junior middleweight standout Vergil Ortiz Jr. and lightweight titleholder Raymond Muratalla. Ismael Salas – The Cuban guru is always a candidate for this award, but he deserves extra credit for getting Rolly Romero to box a disciplined fight. Bozy Ennis – The Philly master has shined this year through marvelous performances by his son Jaron Ennis, featherweight titleholder Stephen Fulton and lightweight contender Andy Cruz. Manny Robles – The California coach who guided Andy Ruiz and Rafael Espinoza to Upset of the Year
awards in 2019 and 2023 may have done it again with Armando Resendiz. He also trains Ring/WBO 115-pound champ Mizuki Hiruta, 154-pound contender Serhii Bohachuk and two- division beltholder Brandon Figueroa. ROUND OF THE YEAR Eubank-Benn, Round 12 – The sons of the British legends let it all hang out to the delight of nearly 70,000 fans. Teraji-Akui, Round 12 – This is a prime example of a fighter willing himself to victory. Gervonta Davis-Lamont Roach, Round 9 – This one is about controversy. Tank takes a knee off a punch (a jab to the eye) and it isn’t ruled a knockdown, then he runs to his corner to have his coach wipe his face DURING THE ROUND and isn’t disqualified for calling his own time-out. Not referee Steve Willis’ best moment. Buatsi-Smith, Round 6 – Unarguably the best round of a tremendous fight as both contenders were hurt but battled through the adversity. Wardley-Huni, Round 10 – It ain’t over ’til it’s over. Pretty solid first seven months, eh? We could have some very special events and moments over the second half of 2025. By the way, let us know via comeoutwriting@gmail.com if I missed worthy candidates in any category. We’ll make note and be sure to take them under consideration when we vote on the 2025 awards at the end of the year.
That’s the PIF Effect ACCELERATING INNOVATION
good in spots, good enough for many to think he deserved
the nod, good enough for the
Ring Ratings Panel to want him back in the welterweight rankings at age 46. Gary Antuanne Russell
– All but dismissed after dropping a split decision to Alberto Puello last year, the junior welterweight was as relentless as he was technical in nearly shutting out Jose Valenzuela for his first world title. Gary Russell Jr. – How about the oldest and most talented brother of the Russell clan? Despite three and a half years off, the former featherweight titleholder showed no rust at all in his lightweight debut, a 10th-round TKO of Hugo Castaneda. Rolando Romero – The “Rolly Show” was thought to be over after his stoppage loss to Pitbull Cruz last March. But here he is, back in line for huge paydays. PROSPECT OF THE YEAR Emiliano Vargas (15-0, 13 KOs) – My front-runner is the junior welterweight son of popular former champ Fernando Vargas, 3-0 in 2025 so far, and flying high after a one-punch, first-round KO of Alexander Espinoza on July 26. The 21-year-old’s got star potential and he’s getting better with each fight. Curmel Moton (8-0, 6 KOs) – Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s 19-year-old
HHHH
I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention three boxing lifers who passed away just before we went to press – former light heavyweight and cruiserweight champ Dwight Muhammad Qawi, trainer Tommy Brooks and promoter Don Elbaum. All three will receive proper tributes in the October issue.
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