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Ranking the top 10 boxers in California

Andre Ward, right, fights Alexander Brand on Aug. 6.
(Lachlan Cunningham / Getty Images)
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California is loaded with boxing star power.

The Golden State not only boasts a slew of native boxing talent, it also has new residents such as Kazakhstan’s three-belt middleweight champion Gennady Golovkin, who resides in Los Angeles and trains in Big Bear, and former two-division champion Canelo Alvarez of Mexico, who trains in San Diego.

California also has exceptional trainers who continue to draw talent into the state. Seven-time trainer of the year Freddie Roach’s Wild Card Boxing Club in Hollywood is Manny Pacquiao’s local gym. There’s also defending trainer of the year Abel Sanchez’s the Summit in Big Bear and trainer Virgil Hunter’s Bay Area hub that hosts Andre Ward, Andre Berto and Amir Khan as members. Trainer Robert Garcia has facilities in Riverside and Oxnard. He coaches a big group of Eastern European fighters in Ventura County, while Garcia’s younger brother, unbeaten lightweight Mikey Garcia, and former three-division champion Abner Mares, train in Riverside.

Below is the Los Angeles Times’ list of the top 10 California boxers:

1. Andre Ward; light-heavyweight; 30-0, 15 KOs

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The Oakland product and his promoter, Jay Z, are being difficult about a bout against unbeaten light-heavyweight champion Sergey Kovalev outside of Oakland. But they should soon agree to stage the biggest fight of Ward’s career at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena.

Next fight: Meets three-belt light-heavyweight champion Kovalev on Nov. 19 on HBO pay-per-view.

2. Timothy Bradley Jr.; welterweight; 33-2-1, 13 KOs

He’s only lost to Pacquiao and has been champion in two divisions. Coachella Valley’s Bradley has defeated current welterweight world champ Jessie Vargas, power-puncher Ruslan Provodnikov, boxer Devon Alexander and former champs Lamont Peterson and Junior Witter.

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Next fight: ESPN boxing analyst Teddy Atlas will return as Bradley’s trainer for their third fight in the winter, against an opponent yet to be determined.

3. Leo Santa Cruz; featherweight; 32-1-1, 18 KOs

The three-division champion from L.A. is determined to avenge his July 30 majority decision loss to Carl Frampton. Santa Cruz’s training camp was hampered by the limited involvement of his father/trainer, Jose Sr., who was fighting cancer.

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Next fight: Talks are underway for a late-fall rematch with Frampton in Las Vegas.

4. Mikey Garcia; lightweight; 35-0, 29 KOs

Despite an extended layoff, due to a contract dispute with his former promoter, Garcia didn’t show much ring rust in his fifth-round TKO, with four knockdowns, of Elio Rojas in July. Garcia, from Oxnard, is now linked to powerful manager Al Haymon’s Premiere Boxing Champions.

Next fight: Talks are in progress to pit Garcia against WBC champion Dejan Zlaticanin on Oct. 15 at Staples Center on Showtime.

5. Abner Mares; featherweight; 29-2-1, 15 KOs

The Hawaiian Gardens fighter and ex-Olympian for Mexico has won world titles in three divisions. He’s suffered both losses at 126 pounds. But Mares’ action-packed fighting style is likely to earn him another title shot this fall at Staples Center.

Next fight: Eye issues in New York pushed his bout against WBC featherweight champion Jesus Cuellar back to California, likely on Oct. 15 on Showtime.

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6. Oscar Valdez; featherweight; 20-0, 18 KOs

He has roots in Mexico and Tucson, but Valdez, 25, lives and trains in the Southland. He knocked out seven of his last eight opponents and won the WBO featherweight belt July 23 with a second-round TKO of Matias Rueda.

Next fight: Promoter Bob Arum is trying to bring Valdez back to Tucson for a late-November card.

7. Nonito Donaire; super-bantamweight; 37-3, 24 KOs

The Bay Area’s “Filipino Flash” has won belts in four divisions and currently owns the WBO super-bantamweight title. Donaire, 33, has only lost to Cuba’s supreme boxer Guillermo Rigondeaux and Jamaica power puncher Nicholas Walters in the last decade.

Next fight: No date yet, but the No. 1 contender is Jessie Magdaleno of Las Vegas.

8. Robert Guerrero; welterweight; 33-4-1, 18 KOs

The former two-division champion from Gilroy has suffered losses only to unbeatens Floyd Mayweather Jr., Keith Thurman and Danny Garcia since 2013. His ability to slug it out at age 33 placed him in Saturday’s main event against David Peralta at Honda Center.

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Next fight: Beating Peralta should move Guerrero to another important fight in the rich welterweight division.

9. Frankie Gomez; welterweight; 21-0, 13 KOs

The Oscar De La Hoya protege from East L.A. stayed out of the gym for two months following his impressive May victory over Riverside’s Mauricio Herrera. That might not be a good idea, considering his disciplinary track record. But trainer Roach says Gomez is his best prospect and has been sharp and working hard since his return.

Next fight: Likely a fall date on a Golden Boy Promotions card.

10. Joseph Diaz Jr.; featherweight; 21-0, 12 KOs

The 2012 U.S. Olympian from South El Monte is rising up the featherweight rankings and will land on next month’s HBO pay-per-view headed by Canelo Alvarez.

Next fight: The southpaw meets Andrew Cancino (17-3-2) on the Canelo-Liam Smith show Sept. 17.

OTHERS TO WATCH: 11. Antonio Orozco, San Diego, (25-0, 16 KOs); 12. Randy Caballero, Coachella, (23-0, 14 KOs); 13. Jose Ramirez, Avenal, (18-0, 13 KOs); 14. Sergio Mora, Los Angeles, (28-4-2, 9 KOs); 15. Dominic Breazeale, Upland, (17-1, 15 KOs).

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lance.pugmire@latimes.com

Twitter: @lancepugmire

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