The State Of The Game 2010

It seems a mere nine years has come and went for the 2000 American Olympic Class. After nine years it is highly likely that the class that represented America that year is coming to the end of their professional careers. Using a point system that I created, I have reviewed the 2000 class and their accomplishments to determine who turned out to be the best of the class and all the ones from there. It has been a fun ride with a much hyped class that resulted in many of the participants signing major contracts before ever stepping into the professional ranks. It was the creation of Dibella Entertainment with many from this class being signed by Lou Dibella. It was also Gary Shaw and other major promoters jumping into the act as well.

Brian Viloria 1/24/1980 106lbs

Filipino-American Brian Viloria was raised for the first years by his grandparents in Ilocos Sur, Philippines then moved to Hawaii where he began his amateur career soon after. Viloria gained several accolades as an amateur including a 1999 World Amateur Champion, 1999 Amateur US Champion, 1999 National Golden Gloves Champion, 1999 USA Boxer Of The Year, and a 2-time Junior Olympic Champion in 1995 and 1996. Viloria topped off his amateur career with a trip to Sydney, Australia to represent America in the 2000 Olympic Games.

After failing to medal at the games, Viloria turned toward the professional ranks signing with manager Gary Gittlesohn and a promotional contract with Lou Dibella and the newly formed Dibella Entertainment.
Soon after Dibella would restructure his Olympic signees and Brian Viloria would be on the cut list.

During his professional career, Viloria has won numerous titles. On June 6, 2002, Viloria captured the WBC Youth Flyweight Championship, a title he would defend twice. In August of 2002, Viloria captured the NABF Flyweight title. He would defend this title four times.

In 2005, Brian Viloria realized his dreams when he captured the WBC Light Flyweight World Championship with a first round TKO over Eric Ortiz. After one successful defense against Jose Antonio Aguirre (UD12), Viloria would lose his title in his next defense to Omar Nino Romero. In the rematch, Romero would get the nod once again, however testing positive in the post fight drug test made the outcome a no contest, but Viloria still was without a championship.

Viloria would get another crack at the WBC title against Edgar Sosa; however he would come up short once again losing a majority decision. After winning several fights in a row, Viloria captured the IBF Light Flyweight title by defeating Ulises Solis. Viloria made one defense of his title against Jesus Iribe (UD12). On January 23, 2010, Viloria lost his title to Carlos Tamara via TKO12. Viloria collapsed from exhaustion after the fight in the locker room and was taken to the hospital where he was treated and released. Viloria was ahead on all cards at the time of the stoppage. Viloria has a career record of 26-3 with 15 knockouts and being stopped once.

Jose Navarro 112Lbs

Jose Navarro had an outstanding amateur career capturing a Bronze Medal at the 1999 and 2000 US Championships, and a 1999 Pan American Games Silver Medal.

As a professional Navarro was another signee of Dibella. Navarro captured the WBONABO Super Flyweight and IBA Continental America’s Super Flyweight titles in 2003. Later that year he would add the WBC Continental America’s title. He would defend the IBA version once.

Late in 2003 Navarro would add another title, this time the IBA Super Flyweight title.

In 2005, Navarro travelled to Japan to take on Katsushige Kawashima for the WBC Super Flyweight World Championship. He would lose a disputed 12 round split decision. One year later, in 2006, Navarro would once again travel to Japan for another crack at the WBC title only this time against Masamori Tokuyama. Navarro would once again come up on the short side of the affair.
After capturing the NABA title in 2006, Navarro would get another opportunity at a world title only this time at the IBF version against Dmitry Kirillov. Navarro would have to travel to Russia this time and once again would come out on the losing end. Navarro would once again get a crack at the WBC title after his loss to Kirillov. This time there was no travelling overseas as he would get the opportunity in Vegas against Christian Mijares. For the fourth time in his career Navarro lost the contest.

Navarro last fought on October 3, 2009 in a TKO loss to Michael Domingo. Navarro has a career record of 26-5 with 12 knockouts and being stopped once.

Clarence Vinson 119Lbs

Vinson was another signee buy Lou Dibella and was the first 2000 Olympian to make his professional debut on television on HBO’s Night Of The Olympians. Vinson did not look spectacular but walked out with a victory. Vinson was cut from the Dibella roster not long after his debut. Vinson was also managed by Gary Gittlesohn.

Vinson was a three time US Champion in 1997, 1998, and 1999 and captured a Bronze Medal at the 2000 Olympic Games. Vinson only fought for one title in his professional career losing an attempt for the WBO Intercontinental Bantamweight Championship.

Vinson last fought on June 6, 2009 winning a majority decision against Robert DaLuz. Vinson has a career record of 17-2 with 7 knockouts.

Ricardo “Rocky” Juarez 125Lbs

An amateur standout, Juarez was a 1999 World Champion, a two time US Champion in 1999 and 2000. Juarez captured the Silver Medal at the 2000 Olympic Games.

Signing with Main Events out of the Olympics and currently under the banner of Golden Boy Promotions, Rocky Juarez has fought some of the best in boxing.

In 2003, Juarez won the WBC Continental America’s title. He would defend the title twice. Two years later, Juarez would face Humberto Soto for the WBC Featherweight Championship. Juarez was favored in the fight, but Soto was the one that walked out of the ring as a world champion.

After two tune-up fights, Juarez would have two failed attempts at the WBC Super Featherweight Championship against boxing legend Marco Antonio Barrera. These fights tool place in 2006 with Juarez losing both bouts by decision.

In 2007, Juarez captured the WBA Fedelatin Featherweight title and in his next fight would have another failed shot at the WBC Super Featherweight strap again only this time against legend Juan Manuel Marquez.

Juarez returned in 2008 to capture the WBO Latino Super Featherweight title to earn another world title shot. In 2009, Juarez took on Chris John for the WBA Featherweight title. The first fight was a draw that many felt should go the want of John so a rematch was set up. John won the rematch more clearly despite being in trouble at the end of the fight. The sixth failed title attempt was his last fight. Juarez has a record of 28-5 with 20 knockouts and one draw.

David Jackson 132Ilbs

David Jackson was a 1999 US Championship Silver Medalist, 2000 US Championship Bronze Medalist, 2000 Western Trials Champion, and a 1997 Junior Olympics and National Champion. Jackson was selected to the 2000 Olympic Team after Marshall Martinez dropped out.

Jackson won his first Olympic contest, but failed to make weight on his second bout and was eliminated due to those reasons.

Jackson had a brief professional career capturing the Global Boxing Welterweight Championship. His last bout was a five round unanimous decision over Allen Medina on October 14, 2006. He had a record of 9-1 with 6 knockouts. He was stopped in his only defeat.

Ricardo “Ricky” Williams Jr. 139 Lbs

Ricky Williams was the one picked as the best of the class at the time of his signing with Dibella Entertainment. Williams was a two time US Champion in 1998 and 1999, a Goodwill Games Gold Medalist in 1998, two time Junior Olympic Champion in 1996-97, and was named the 1998 USA Boxer Of The Year. Williams ended his amateur career with a Silver Medal at the 2000 Olympic Games.

As a professional, Williams made his debut on HBO’s Night Of The Olympians. After running off a string of victories Williams lost three fights. Two of these fights were inside the ring against Juan Valenzuela and then to Manning Galloway. Williams was also cut by Dibella and later lost a fight outside the ring when he was convicted of selling cocaine and sentenced to three years in prison.

Williams has since been released and last fought on March 3, 2009 winning by TKO3 over Harrison Cuello. Williams has a record of 15-2 with eight knockouts.

Dante Craig 147 Lbs

A 1999 National Golden Gloves Champion, Craig has captured one title as a professional the NBA Intercontinental Super Middleweight title that he has defended one time. Craig lost a chance to gain the USBA Light Middleweight title.

Craig last fought on October 17, 2009 a TKO1 loss to Durrell Richardson. Craig has a record of 18-9 with 13 knockouts. Craig has been stopped in eight of his nine losses.

Jermain Taylor 156 Lbs

A 2000 Eastern Olympic Trials Champion, two time National Golden Gloves Champion in 1998-99, and a 1998 Bronze Medal winner at the Goodwill Games. Taylor signed with Dibella Entertainment after capturing Bronze at the Sydney Games.

After capturing the WBC Continental America’s title in 2003, Taylor would defend the title three times including one defense over former world champion William Joppy and another against Raul Marquez.

After a fight with Daniel Edouard, Taylor told people at HBO and the world that he wanted to face Bernard Hopkins and that he thought he should be given the chance. He got his wish on July 16, 2005 and defeated the legendary champion to capture the WBA, WBC, IBF, and WBO Middleweight Championships.

After giving up the IBF belt, Taylor defended his three remaining titles against Hopkins in a rematch. Shortly after, Taylor would once again lose on of his titles, the WBA belt.

He successfully defended his remain two titles with a draw against Winky Wright, and decision wins against Kasim Ouma and Cory Spinks.

On September 29, 2007, Taylor was brutally knocked out by Kelly Pavlik to lose his middleweight crown. A few months later, the rematch would be contested in a non-title affair at 168 Lbs. Taylor would lose a decision.

After the Pavlik fights, Jermain would win a decision over Olympic Team member Jeff Lacy to secure a title shot at 168 Lbs. On April 25, 2009 Taylor was knocked out once again, this time by Carl Froch.
Later in 2009 it was announced that Taylor would be part of a Super Middleweight Tournament call the Super Six presented by Showtime. Taylor faced Arthur Abraham in the first fight of the tournament being knocked out for the third time.

Taylor subsequently withdrew from the tournament being replaced by Allen Green. Taylor claims that he is not retired and will remain in shape and return once rested. Taylor’s record is 28-4-1 with 17 knockouts. He has been stopped in three of his four loses.

Jeff Lacy165Lbs

1998 US Champion and a two time PAL Champion in 1998-99.

Lacy was signed by Gary Shaw after the Olympics and was showcased a lot on Showtime Boxing. It was planned for his professional debut to be telecast on Showtime, however at the weigh-in Lacy removed his shirt and the opponent disappeared.

Lacy captured the normal run of minor titles including the WBC Continental America’s title in which he defended four times, the USBA Super Middleweight title that he defended twice, and the NABA title that he defended once.

Lacy was the first 2000 Olympian to capture a world title when he defeated Syd Vanderpool on October 2, 2004 winning the IBF Super Middleweight Championship. Lacy defended the title four times and also added the IBO title as well.

On March 4, 2006, Lacy travelled to England to face Joe Calzaghe in a unification fight. Lacy lost his titles and the WBO title in a one sided contest against Calzaghe.

Lacy last fought Roy Jones Jr. for the WBO NABO Light Heavyweight title in which he lost by TKO10. Lacy’s record is 27-3-1 with 17 knockouts. He has been stopped once.

Olanda Anderson 178Lbs

Anderson was a two time US Champion in 1998 and 2000, a two time PAL Champion in 1998-99, and a 5 times Armed Forces Champion.

Anderson only fought twice as a professional winning both contests. He has not fought since 2002.

Michael Bennett 201 Lbs

Bennett was a 2000 US Champion, a 1999 World Champion, a US Championship Silver Medalist, and a 1999 US Challenge Champion.

Bennett signed with Dibella after the Olympics but his chin quickly failed him as a professional and was let go from Dibella after Dibella offered him a job to not box anymore in which Bennett turned down.

Bennett only fought for one title, the IBA America’s Super Cruiserweight title in a losing affair. Bennett had a record of 10-4 with eight knockouts. Bennett was stopped in all his loses.

Calvin Brock +201

Calvin was a 1999 US Champion and US Challenge Champion. He also won two Silver Medals at the US Championships.

As a professional Brock captured the IBA Continental Heavyweight title and defended it one time. He also captured the WBC FECARBOX title. On November 11, 2006, Brock faced Wladimir Klitschko for the IBO and IBF Heavyweight Championship. Brock was stopped in the seventh round. He would fight in three more contests. In his last bout, Brock lost a close decision to Eddie Chambers and suffered a detached retina and a surgical procedure to repair the eye was botched leaving Brock blind in the eye and forcing him into retirement.

Brock is also an accomplished tap dancer and financial wizard.

Results

Jermain Taylor
Jeff Lacy
Brian Viloria
Calvin Brock
Jose Navarro
Rocky Juarez
Dante Craig
Clarence Vinson
Ricardo Williams
David Jackson
Olanda Anderson
Michael Bennett