Staff at the BBC Sport website have banged their heads together and compiled a list of the world’s top-10 boxers, pound-for-pound.
Taking weight out of the equation, this subjective list factors in fighters’ recent results, as well as their style, resilience and punching power.
The list will be updated periodically and you are encouraged to argue our selection using the form on the right-hand side of the page. Let the debate begin!
POUND-FOR-POUND TOP 10
1. Bernard Hopkins – Middleweight United States (45 wins-2 losses-1 draw, 32KOs)
“The Executioner” chopped down Oscar de la Hoya in 2004 and has not been beaten since losing since a 1993 decision against Roy Jones Jr. Now 40, he makes the 20th defence of his undisputed middleweight crown against Howard Eastman in February and may then fancy a rematch with Jones – or Felix Trinidad – before bowing out.
2. Floyd Mayweather – Light welterweight United States (32, 21KOs) Unbeaten at super featherweight and lightweight, Mayweather will be a worthy successor to Hopkins at the top of the list if he also dominates at light welterweight – the strongest division in boxing.
3. Kostya Tszyu – Light welterweight Australia (31-1, 25KOs) Potentially on a collision course with Mayweather, Tszyu must first beat Ricky Hatton. The 35-year-old showed all of his class against Sharmba Mitchell after almost two years out of the ring.
4. Manny Pacquiao – Featherweight Philippines (39-2-2, 31KOs) “Pac Man” confirmed his reputation by battering legend Marco Antonio Barrera and was unlucky not to dethrone Juan Manuel Marquez in 2004. He will climb this list if he beats Erik Morales in March.
5. Marco A. Barrera – Super featherweight Mexico (59-4, 41KOs) Dispelled any suggestion he was a spent force by beating Morales in the third instalment of their cracking trilogy. Battle-scarred at 31, he remains a force to be reckoned with and a huge draw.
6. Erik Morales – Super featherweight Mexico (47-2, 34KOs) “El Terrible” has only lost to Barrera (twice) in 49 career bouts. Should he get back to winning ways against Pacquiao in March, he will soar up this list.
7. Winky Wright – Light middleweight United States (48-3, 25KOs) Exploded out of the shadows when he beat Shane Mosley to unify three belts and then defended his titles against the same highly-rated opponent.
8. Felix Trinidad – Middleweight Puerto Rico (42-1, 35KOs) “Tito” bounced back with a spectacular win over Ricardo Mayorga and has his sights on Hopkins, the only man to beat him in a 43-fight career.
9. Juan Manuel Marquez – Featherweight Mexico (43-2-1, 33KOs) The third great Mexican on the list desperately clung on to his titles in a controversial draw with Pacquiao and is still in the mix at 31.
10. Glen Johnson – Light heavyweight Jamaica (42-9-2, 28KOs) Not as stylish as some, Johnson deserves his place after beating Roy Jones Jr (Hopkins’ predecessor as pound-for-pound king) and Antonio Tarver in 2004.
JUST MISSED OUT: Cory Spinks has done little wrong at welterweight, but is running out of quality opponents. Diego Corrales could climb if he beats WBC lightweight champion Jose Luis Castillo. And watch out for Miguel Angel Cotto, who may prove to be the best light welterweight of them all.
