Nothing gets the blood flowing and the barbs flying like a good ol? debate about the best fighters in the world, pound for pound. And given last Saturday?s master class by Bernard Hopkins over previously unbeaten Kelly Pavlik, there are bound to be shakeups in everyone?s pound for pound list, including mine. How shaken and stirred was the list by ?The Executioner?s latest shocker? Read on to find out.
10 – David Haye Haye has already unified the cruiserweight division in just 22 fights; now he?s jumped up to heavyweight and hasn?t been shy about proclaiming himself as the man who can save the division. And given his power, speed and willingness to test himself against the best, I believe him. I?ll believe him even more should he beat Monte Barrett impressively on November 15th in London.
9 – Ivan Calderon Speaking of lower-weight southpaws still looking for the recognition given to their heavier counterparts, Puerto Rico?s Calderon is unbeaten in 32 fights and a world champion since 2003, yet he doesn?t get 1/8 of the attention given to the lumbering heavyweights of the sport. That?s a shame, because as the best pure boxer the sport has seen since Pernell Whitaker, Calderon should be celebrated as such, and not relegated to the small type (pardon the pun) in the newspaper?s transactions section.
8 – Cristian Mijares A joy to watch in the ring, Mijares? fluid style has captivated fight game aficionados for the last couple of years, and should he add the name Vic Darchinyan to his victims list in their November 1st bout, more casual fight fans are likely to board the bandwagon as well. Not bad for a 115-pound southpaw.
7 – Miguel Cotto Cotto met his Waterloo in Margarito in July, and it will be interesting to see how the Boricua Bomber returns from the devastating TKO defeat. Even if he stays away from Margarito, there are plenty of interesting fights for him at welterweight, including rematches with Mosley and Judah, or bouts against other 147-pound titleholders like Berto, Clottey, or Williams.
6 – Joe Calzaghe I was actually a lot higher on Calzaghe when everyone else dismissed him as a European hype job. Now that everyone realizes how good he is, I?m starting to get disappointed in his performances. Yes, he was brilliant in dismantling Mikkel Kessler, but the Hopkins fight was forgettable, and now he?s back on the oldies tour against Roy Jones Jr. And dare I say it, I give Jones a better than average shot of beating Calzaghe on November 8th. If the Welshman does win at MSG, I think there?s nothing left for him to do in this game than to walk away and pick up his Hall of Fame ring in five years.
5- Israel Vazquez Now enjoying a long-deserved rest after three wars with Rafael Marquez, Vazquez will most likely return in 2009 with a fourth bout against his rival. Like Pacquiao-Marquez, I could watch Vazquez-Marquez every week, but part of me feels guilty for saying that, knowing the toll such wars take on a fighter.
4 – Antonio Margarito I was late to the party when it came to Margarito, but if you didn?t become a believer after his dismantling of Miguel Cotto in July, you?re just hatin? on the ?Tijuana Tornado?. Far from spectacular in the ring, Margarito?s strength comes from his relentless pressure, his refusal to back up, and his almost inhuman pain tolerance. If there?s one fighter in the game I would be afraid of facing, it would be him. A fight between Margarito and Mosley is on the top of my wish list for 2009.
3 – Juan Manuel Marquez The jump up to lightweight was a non-issue for ?Dinamita? last month as he impressively halted Joel Casamayor in 11 rounds. Now the only thing left for Marquez to truly accomplish is a win in a third fight with Pacquaio. And hey, if it happens and he gets the victory, it will be 1-1-1 in their series, so how about a fourth fight. I know, I know, I?m jumping ahead of things, but I could watch these two fight every week and I know I?ll be entertained every time.
2 – Manny Pacquiao If the Pac-Man can pull off the upset and beat Oscar De La Hoya at welterweight in December, it would be impossible not to put Pacquiao back up at the top of this list. And that?s no knock on Hopkins, but in my own little sanctioning organization, being the pound for pound king isn?t a title that you have to lose in the ring. A spectacular performance in a major fight (like Hopkins? win over Pavlik) can very well propel you to the top, and the same is true for Pacquiao. Jumping up to 147 pounds and winning a big fight after starting out at 106 pounds is a major feat, one of those victories that could cement a Hall of Fame spot. And if you?re wondering, no, if Pacquiao loses to De La Hoya, he won?t lose his spot in the pecking order. Taking risks counts for a lot in this game, and those who do should be rewarded, regardless of the outcome.
1 – Bernard Hopkins The master. What more can you say about Hopkins after his dominating 12 round win over Kelly Pavlik last Saturday? After his disputed loss to Joe Calzaghe, I had dropped Hopkins from my top ten, assuming that was it for the storied career of ?The Executioner?. But as he has done throughout the last few years, he came back not only with a surprise win, but a dramatic flourish. He?s number one with a bullet now, and in my eyes, the only fitting way for Hopkins to end his career is with a rematch against Roy Jones Jr., regardless of what happens in Jones? fight with Calzaghe on November 8th.
