I’m a massive fan of boxing, from the big PPV fights to small hall match ups. I humbly like to think I’m very knowledgeable on fighters all across the pro boxing spectrum.

I write this article because when I talk to friends and acquaintances about pro boxing and upcoming fights, the same conversations come up.

The same fighters get mentioned time and time again – Joshua, Fury, Frampton, Khan, Golovkin, Canelo, Pacquiao and the other names casual fans know.

I’m not saying I’m sick of hearing these names, I could talk all day about boxing and some of these mentioned are my favourite fighters but when I mention some other great current fighters and even champions I get a look as to say:

“Who is that?”

So I’m going to pick two fighters that I think are either unappreciated or unknown to boxing fans or what some call the casual boxing fans.

First up is Roman Gonzalez.

I’m shocked when people say they have not heard about Gonzalez. He is currently rated number one pound for pound fighter in the world with a solid 46-0 (38KO) record.

Roman is the WBC Super Flyweight Champion and has held titles in four weight classes, making him the only fighter from Nicaragua to do this.

The record of 46-0 is coming close to Mayweather and Marciano’s record too. I can see Gonzalez easily passing this record in the next two years but untill then he will probably be overlooked.

It might be because of the low weight classes Roman fights at that he isn’t up there with the other big names, but really should be known like the PPV superstars.

Roman Gonzalez next fight will be against Sor Rungvisai as the co-feature for Golovkin vs Jacobs on March 18.

Of course Golovkin and Jacobs are getting a lot of attention from the boxing community and rightly so. It’s a huge fight but Gonzalez isn’t mentioned as much, he had a small feature on Golovkin’s 24/7 episode and that was about it.

Gonzalez being the number one pound for pound fighter you would think he would have his own episode.

I advise any pro boxing fan to watch Roman’s next fight to see the great talent and the display he will put on March 18th and hopefully, he gets the full recognition he truly deserves.

The second fighter I picked is Oscar Valdez 21-0 (19KO’s) – the only current unbeaten top ten ranked featherweight in the world.

His name isn’t as known as much to pro boxing fans as the likes of Santa Cruz, Frampton or Mares, even though Oscar holds the WBO featherweight title. A fight against any of the names mentioned above will soon change that.

Valdez currently boasts a 90% knockout ratio and if you watch his highlight real you will see an aggressive fighter with huge punching power and terrific combination punching. He most certainly could trouble the best fighters in the division.

Valdez will face Colombian Miguel Marriaga in his next fight on April 22. If Oscar gets past his next opponent hopefully a big fight will follow.

It looks like Santa Cruz will be facing Mares next so these two boxers will be out of the equation, leaving Frampton needing a fight which he has said will be in Ireland.

If Valdez is willing to travel this could shoot him into super stardom.

Another option would be IBF champion Lee Selby vs Oscar Valdez in a unification fight in the featherweight division, a huge plus for both fighters’ purses and reputation.

My pick for Valdez though would be former WBA super-bantamweight title holder Scott Quigg, even though previously losing to Frampton last time out, he is still a big name and on the way back up.

Quigg has recently teamed up with Freddie Roach and all eyes will be on him in his next fight. If it could be Valdez in the opposite corner, it will bring his name to prominence more in the US too.

In conclusion, I hope Roman Gonzalez and Oscar Valdez impress in their next fights as they have done in the past and more boxing fans, hardcore or casual alike, recognise them for the great talents they are.