photo by Mike “Teek” McGuigan
It has been a while since I put together a Philly top 10 list and in that time it is still pretty obvious who is #1 in the town, that would be B-Hop. But in the past year there has been a lot of activity amongst the rank and file who made moves to get to the top. Some succeeded, some failed, some have rebounded and others are on their way.
This time around I give you two lists. First is a national Philly top 10 pound for pound which gives my ranking to those from this area who are either champions, within title contention or TV fighters. These guys are all over the world and are known industry names.
The next list is themed “21 & Under” ranking the Philly pros with 21 pro fights or less. These fights can take place anywhere in the world. This list tracks the activity of the young pros who seem to be on their way to making big moves in the boxing circuit within the next few years. These rankings are based on pro performance and potential, not solely on amateur career.
This was done as a replacement for the local top 10 list that ranked boxers competing within city limits. There was just not enough activity to compile one. Take a look and feel free to send any feedback to me via email.
http://phillykeith.com/nationaltop10April09.htm
If you have any questions, comments or suggestions you can email Philly Keith at keith@phillykeith.com
Go to www.phillykeith.com for up to the minute info on the Philly boxing scene
Categories: "Fast" Eddie Chambers, "The New" Ray Robinson, Aaron Mitchell, Bernard Hopkins, Chazz Witherspoon, Danny Garcia, Derek Ennis, Eric "Outlaw" Hunter, Farah Ennis, Gabriel Rosado, Hank Lundy, Harry Yorgey, LaJuan Simon, Mike Jones, Raymond Serrano, Rock Allen, Rogers Mtagwa, Steve "USS" Cunningham, Teon Kennedy, Yusaf Mack
photo courtesy of Kevin Rooney Jr./ Star Boxing
On the February 13, 2009 edition of ESPN Friday Night Fights, Philly Jr. Welterweight “The New” Ray Robinson (10-0, 4ko’s) bulldozed the previously undefeated Darnell Jiles (8-1, 3ko’s) of Rochester, NY scoring a 3rd round TKO in the nights co-main event. Robinson, promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing of NYC, stepped up the competition and convincingly got the job done on this night, consistently outworking his 20 year old standout foe, and then broke the seal late in the 3rd, connecting with a lot of left handed bombs that almost had Jiles out of it. Jiles, to his credit, did survive the attack but between rounds his corner called for the stoppage due to the beating and an obviously broken right hand on Jiles.
It’s a big win for the young Philly 140 lb southpaw prospect out of the Front Street Gym and a credit to the sport when two young hopefuls with good records throw the politics out the door and decide to go in against one another. Give Jiles his due as well. The former amateur standout from Rochester still has a bright future and will be very well served from a fight like this. Many out there still would like to see Jiles and South Philly’s “Hammerin” Hank Lundy settle the score from their lights out fight which ended in a draw from last year. A rematch that Jiles camp questionably stated Lundy didn’t want any parts of…. I don’t know about all that Joe Tessatore! Either way congrats to both fighter and also to ESPN for putting together such an interesting fight.
Click here for the ESPN pre fight night analysis of Robinson vs. Jiles & Camacho vs. Molina
This week on ESPN Friday Night Fights, look for Philly Jr. Welterweight “The New” Ray Robinson (9-0, 3ko’s) as he takes on the undefeated Darnell Jiles (8-0, 3ko’s) of Rochester, NY in the evenings 8 round co-main event. Robinson, promoted by Joe DeGuardia’s Star Boxing, will be stepping up for the toughest test of his young career.
Jiles, a 20 year old standout, is best known in this town for holding South Philly’s Hank Lundy to a draw on ESPN last summer in what turned out to be a very good two way fight. There are a lot of parallels here as both have nearly the same record, both were highly touted amateur, both are southpaws and both are considered to be very good prospects at the 140 lb mark. If there is any advantage here, it goes to Robinson due to his recent activity as Jiles has been on the bench since March of last year. It is not often that two young, undefeated fighters are willing to put their records on the line like this, hopefully it translates into the exciting fight that many expect it to be.
The evenings main event will feature Alexis Camacho (17-1,16KO) who recently appeared at The New Alhambra, taking on Carlos Molina (14-4-1,5KO) in a battle of Star Boxing welterweights. 7 bouts total are scheduled which feature quite a few undefeated newcomers.
The fight will take place at the Roseland Ballroom on W. 52nd street in Manhattans Theatre district. For more info go to www.starboxing.com
