British boxing experienced the highs and lows of fighting for world honours last weekend, with contrasting emotions on either side of the pond.
In Atlantic City there was sheer elation as Darren Barker became IBF middleweight champion, getting off the floor to edge Daniel Geale in a pulsating battle over 12 rounds.
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Closer to home it was a different story as Nathan Cleverly tasted defeat for the first time in his career, relinquishing his WBO light-heavyweight crown to Sergey Kovalev in a crushing stoppage loss that saw the Welshman finished in the fourth round.
Following Barker's success, Britain now has four fighters holding recognised world titles, with the Barnet man joining Carl Froch, Ricky Burns and Jamie McDonnell. 2013 is still full of chances for a promising batch of fighters to replicate Barker's jump, with a whole host of bouts worth shouting about in the next few months. But which domestic operator can make the successful step up to world level? Time to look more closely at the candidates to become Britian's fifth world champion.
Scott Quigg
Super-bantamweight Scott Quigg will get the first crack at a world title next month, taking on Yoandris Salina for the WBA title on the undercard of David Haye's domestic dust-up with Tyson Fury at the Manchester Arena on September 28. Quigg looked nothing short of sensational when he destroyed Renall Munroe in six rounds last November, deploying the kind of sustained attack to the body Ricky Hatton became famous for. The 24-year-old then made a move to Matchroom Boxing earlier this year, taking out William Prado over three rounds in his debut for the promotional stable.
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Quigg has dealt with everything put in his way so far with style and efficiency, staying unbeaten in 27 professional bouts. Salinas also represents a very winnable way to become world champion, with Cuban master Guillermo Rigondeaux promoted to super world champion. Roared on by a home crowd the Bury battler has the skills to make his dream a reality next month, if he matches drive and focus to a promising range of shots.
George Groves
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Next up is a likable super-middleweight contender looking to upset the odds in a quality domestic showdown later this year. George Groves signalled his intention to blast ahead of his rivals at British-title level two years ago, edging James DeGale in a grudge match before taking out Paul Smith in some style with a clinical knockout. The Saint then suffered a frustrating year with injuries, derailing his chance to take on Robert Stieglitz for a world title. After finally matching quality sparring with regular ring-time this year Groves looks ready for a world-title tilt, with Carl Froch agreeing to make it happen in a mouth-watering all-British showdown set for late November.
Groves is not freighted to mix things up in the trenches, but is equally capable of boxing on the outside and has shown a more patient approach in recent outings. Froch will be a perfect acid test for the Hayemaker protege, with a granite chin to match confidence and a battle-hardened reputation earned in successive wars at world level. With Adam Booth in his corner, the 25-year-old has the right grounding to be successful, which should ensure a domestic dust-up for fight fans to savour at the end of 2013.
Tony Bellew
After working his way back to elite level Tony Bellew is knocking on the door in anticipation of his second world-title opportunity, which will come as mandatory to Adonis Stevenson in December. The Merseyside mauler has won four of his last five since losing a razor-thin points decision to Nathan Cleverly in his maiden shot at world honours, but has rebuilt his career to get a second bite at the cherry.
Bellew has looked more disciplined in recent bouts, shedding a reputation as a brawler in an effort to stick to a concerted gameplan. Make no mistake, though, the challenge facing the 30-year-old to make his dream a reality looks fierce. Stevenson forced his way on to the world stage in some style earlier this year, smashing Chad Dawson to the canvas inside a round. 'Superman' now faces Tavoris Cloud at the Bell Centre next month, but if victorious has to complete a mandatory defence against Bellew. The Scouse scrapper has the heart and temperament to push any opponent close at light-heavyweight, and should take something from Barker's journey into uncharted territory last weekend.
Kell Brook
A Sheffield welterweight long tipped for success at the highest level, Kell Brook is now working his way back from the most frustrating 12 months of his career. Brook has endured a nightmare run of injuries, losing out on a world-title tilt against Devon Alexander on no less than three occasions. The 'Special One' dealt with former foe Carson Jones on his return to the ring last month, setting up a clash with former world champion Vyacheslav Senchenko in October. That bout will arguably be Brook's first chance to show his skills against a proven world-level operator, with victory surely putting him right back in the frame for a title bout early in 2014.
Carl Frampton
A Northern Irish super-bantamweight who has a potent mix of power and strength, Carl Frampton can only be two fights away from challenging for a world title. Frampton looked sensational in his last appearance, taking out Kiko Martinex in Feburary to win the European title. Since then Frampton has left Matchroom Boxing to sign a promotional deal with Frank Warren, with the first fight on that deal coming against Jeremy Parodi in October. The 26-year-old is ranked third with the IBF and must have been watching with envy as Martinez battered Jhonatan Romero to become IBF champ last weekend. A rematch must surely be on manager Barry McGuigan's mind, but an impressive stoppage win against Parodi is first on the agenda to remind people of his well-rounded skillset.
