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Undefeated or Untested? That is the question!

What does an unblemished record mean for a young fighter? Is he is a terrific prospect or has he boxed inferior opposition? How can you tell the difference?

In recent years, a fighter with a record of 9-0 or 15-0 has been regarded as "the next best thing" in boxing. When he finally loses his “0” does it change how we look at him? Does it mean he finally was tested and came up short? Many managers carefully choose second-rate opponents.

Middleweight Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr., has a record of 43-0, 30K0s. Does that make him a great fighter? No! Chances are more than half those knockouts were gained against inferior opposition. Chavez, Jr., is a huge attraction in Mexico and in California and he has been promoted accordingly. But it does not make him a great fighter, at least not yet. Perhaps one day he will get better, but that remains to be seen.

In other sports, an athlete can have an “off night.” Not in boxing! There is little room for error since it seems that the TV networks are looking not for the best fighters but for fighters with the best records.

There are exceptions!

Philadelphia prospect Danny Garcia is undefeated in 21 fights, but he has proven himself against tough guys like Jorge Romero, Mike Arnaoutis, Nate Campbell and Ashley Theophane.

Bantamweight Teon Kennedy (pictured right) is another Philly fighter who has tested himself successfully. Kennedy has faced the late Francisco Rodriguez, Jose Angel Berranza and Jorge Diaz. Kennedy is 17-0-1, 7 K0s and looking to challenge himself again Aug. 13 at Bally’s Atlantic City. With Kennedy’s resume there is no question that he has been tested; he is skilled enough to stay undefeated thus far.

Another Philly welterweight, Ray Robinson, was introduced in his last fight last summer against Shawn Porter as a former prospect. Why? Because he had lost his previous fight and now was 11-1? The fight against Robinson was Porter’s toughest. Both fighters looked great and had Robinson kept his hands high and tight there's a chance that Porter would have lost his unbeaten mark instead of now being 18-0.

Why do fans write fighters off after a loss or two? Welterweight champion has lost three fights but it didn’t stop him from becoming the best welterweight of his era.

Look at lightweight Tyrone Luckey, of Middletown, NJ, who risked his precious undefeated record (4-0, 4K0s) last Friday at Bally’s Atlantic City! Luckey boxed Bryne Green, of Vineland, NJ, who was 6-4-1, 3K0s. Green won 38-37 on all three cards because of a questionable knockdown he scored in the first round. Luckey’s previous four opponents were a combined 6-15-1. Green’s foes were 50-44-12. Luckey’s manager learned more about Luckey in the Green fight than he learned in the four previous fights. If a fighter is truly going somewhere, a loss here and there should not be a roadblock. And you can tell that to the brain surgeons who choose which fights to put on television! I look forward to seeing Luckey develop.

In other boxing news: USBA cruiserweight champ Garrett Wilson, of Philadelphia, PA, is negotiating to box Lateef Kayode, of Hollywood, CA, for the No. 1 slot in the IBF world rankings. Speaking of guys with mediocre records who have real ability, check out Wilson, who is 10-5-1, 4 K0s, but ranked No. 12 in the world by the IBF. Look at the monsters Wilson has fought! Kayode is 17-0, 14 K0s...Philadelphia heavyweight Bryant Jennings (8-0, 4K0s) makes his first appearance in Las Vegas, NV, on Saturday when he faces Theron Johnson (5-5, 1K0) on the -Zab Judah undercard. This six-rounder is a rematch of thier first fight Feb. 26 at Bally’s, won by Jennings via six- round decision…An amateur red carpet charity boxing event is set for Friday at the Liberty Boxing venue in Feasterville, PA….

The author is a senior in sport and recreation management at Temple University. She joined Peltz Boxing as an intern. Follow Peltz Boxing on twitter @PeltzBoxing and our intern @bamonboxing