The Five Most Exciting Boxers in North Texas

(Photo © Edward Garza/NorthTexasFisticuffs.com)

For all the respect and reverence we give the truly great practitioners of the sweet science, those who master the art of hit and not being hit, it is the blood and gut warriors who engrain themselves into our collective hearts.  For all the love we give the Willie Peps and Pernell Whitakers, the reverence for them pales in comparison to those who routinely give action in the ring like Diego Corrales, Arturo Gatti, and Manny Pacquiao. 

Locally, boxing fans here in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex have the luxury of having a number of pugilists who set our adrenaline levels spiking with their all-action style.  Bear in mind, this is not a pound-for-pound list, nor are we taking into consideration records into the equation.  Simply put, these are the fighters who bring the action each and every time they step into the ring.

So without further ado, and in no particular order, we present the five most exciting boxers here in North Texas:

Rafael Casias (2-3) – Diminutive in stature but a giant in terms of heart, Fort Worth’s Rafael Casias has yet to engage in a fight that was not put in contention for Fight of the Year honors.  A respected trainer in the MMA world, Casias brings the same intensity to the ring that his fighters bring into the cage.  The result is a fighter who is more than willing to take a punch to dish out his own brand of punishment. 

Robert Marroquin (14-0, 11KOs) – Inarguably one of the game’s most talented and respected prospects, Marroquin’s ascension in the ranks is a byproduct of his measured two-fisted attack.  Cool, calm, and collected within the ring, Marroquin methodically walks down his opponents before unleashing a hellacious blitz of punches that leave them crumpled in a heap on the canvas.  The resounding buzz from the national media is a testament to this Oak Cliff slugger.

Charles Hatley (11-0, 9KOs) – Alongside Marroquin, Oak Cliff’s Charles “The Future” Hatley is wildly considered a “can’t miss prospect”.  Blessed with an uncanny blend of speed and power Hatley doesn’t so much beat his opponents as he blitzes them.  Hatley’s reputation as pure hell in the ring has translated to a lot of sleepless nights for opponents brave enough to step into the ring with him.

Brent Urban (6-2-1, 4KOs) – The “Oak Cliff Ghost” is the only fighter on our list to tip the scales north of 175 pounds.  Urban’s heavyweight battles fly in the face of the tepid reception received by most when viewing a heavyweight fight.  Urban is all action in the ring, taking the fight to his opponents come hell or high water.  An unbreakable spirit along with a penchant for banging it out make Urban one of the DFWs biggest draws. 

Jose Hernandez (10-2, 4 KOs) – One of the most talented young prospects in the DFW area Hernandez’ career has unfortunately been plagued by long stretched of inactivity.  Which is a shame given just how fun a fighter Hernandez is to watch.  Hernandez is a fighter who seems to fight better once he has tasted some leather.  To watch him fight is to watch a fighter who wants to not just beat his opponent, but also take their will.  Shame he does not fight more often.

Fighters on the cusp of breaking into the top five: Manuel Buendia, Arthur Trevino, Sammy Sanchez, and Forrest Curry.