The pound for pound list is a staple of fanfare in this great sport of boxing. This ranking of the best fighters regardless of weight class can cause heated debates because have different ways of compiling the list. Personally I make my list based strictly on accomplishments, with an emphasis on recent accomplishments, opposed to speculation. Creating a top ten P4P is very subjective and not an exact science. All you need to make your own list is an opinion and a passion for the sport. The following are today’s elite pugilists who are at the top of their game.
1. Bernard Hopkins – Although he has announced his retirement, Hopkins’ win over Antonio Tarver was a spectacular way to go out. Bernard set the record for consecutive Middleweight Championship defenses, recording knockout wins over Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, and Glen Johnson. He twice lost to Jermain Taylor, finally putting an end to his reign although both were very close and controversial decisions. After those back to back losses, Hopkins considerably fell down my pound for pound list. However he has reestablished himself in the top position by hopping up not one, but two weight divisions to dethrone a worthy champion in Tarver. Bernard did not just win; he dominated Antonio in spectacular fashion.
2. Floyd Mayweather, JR. – This could be a controversial drop from the number one spot for Pretty Boy Floyd, but I think it is deserving. Mayweather is talent and ability wise the best boxer today. The reason he is briefly dropped out of the top spot is that his quality of opposition has been simply good and not exceptional. Also, in his last fight against Zab Judah, Mayweather struggled and did not put on a washout performance that we are used to seeing from Floyd. Still, there is not a fighter at or around Mayweather’s weight class that I do not think that he can beat. Floyd will surely return to the top spot because he is such a phenomenal talent, but for now he drops to second.
3. Winky Wright – Wright has perhaps taken on the best string of opponents of anyone on this list. Dating back to 2004 he has faced Shane Mosley twice, Felix Trinidad, solid contender Sam Soliman, and Jermain Taylor. That would be a stiff stretch for any fighter in history and Wright has come away with a record of 3-0-1. His draw against Taylor was a reasonable verdict, but if either man deserved the win it was Winky. Still going strong at 34 years old, if Wright keeps on fighting the best available opponents and continues to win he could become the top dog.
4. Manny Pacquiao – Knockout victories over both Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales are remarkable achievements. Pacquiao shows no signs of slowing down, and just thoroughly beat a tough former champ in Oscar Larios, by decision which brings on his third fight with Erik Morales. Trainer Freddie Roach has been working with Manny to make him more of a multi dimensional weapon. His improvements were brilliantly displayed in his last fight. Pacquiao has the most devastating straight left hand in boxing. If Manny wins his next two fights and then defeats Barrera again in a 2007 rematch it would be difficult to deny Pacquiao as the #1 pound for pound boxer in the world.
5. Ricky Hatton – Although Ricky struggled against Luis Collazo, I was impressed with the way he dug down deep and hung in there to win in a close fight. Hatton was faced with adversity and never gave an inch. You also have to consider that he was fighting above his natural weight class. Previous victories at junior welterweight over the likes of Kostya Tszyu and Carlos Maussa hold Hatton in the top five. Hatton, unlike many European based champions, is willing to come to America to take on tough challengers so he deserves the respect and accolades for doing so.
6. Marco Antonio Barrera – Barrera has been around for many years and has earned his place in the pound for pound elite. He has taken down many former champions including Prince Naseem Hamed and Erik Morales. Once a seek and destroy slugger, Marco Antonio has transformed himself into a patient boxer-puncher. Rocky Juarez gave him all that he could handle in his last fight, but Barrera fought back valiantly in vintage form to salvage the fight. There is no shame in having a close fight with the young and hungry Juarez. The two are in talks for a rematch to happen later this year.
7. Jermain Taylor – The young Middleweight Champions from Arkansas has taken on someone in the top three pound for pound in three consecutive fights (Hopkins, Hopkins, and Wright). Although he has yet to record a definitive victory over someone in the top ten pound for pound, he has fought the best on even terms for 36 rounds to prove that he is one of the best. Taylor has a big punch, a solid chin, and the type of intangibles that allow him to win fights on pure heart and determination. His boxing skills still need some work, but Jermain certainly knows how to fight.
8. Joe Calzaghe – After being a minor title holder in the super middleweight division for years, Calzaghe finally participated in a unification match last March. Joe gave Jeff Lacy a severe beating over twelve rounds to give himself the career defining fight that he so desperately needed. Spanning almost ten years as WBO Champion, Calzaghe fought few quality opponents, but his longevity is what mainly debuts him into my top ten.
9. Rafael Marquez – Marquez has gone undefeated since beating Tim Austin to win the Bantamweight Championship in 2003. Rafael is perhaps the hardest pound for pound puncher today, with explosive power in both hands. He has shown off that power against excellent opponents like Mark Johnson and Silence Mabuza. The younger of the Marquez brothers cracks my top ten because he is a long reigning champion who takes on quality opponents.
10. Diego Corrales – Despite losing his last fight, Corrales is the Lightweight Champion of the World. The conditions surrounding his rematch against Jose Luis Castillo were unfair since Diego has to drain himself to make weight, meaning he was fighting a bigger and more energized foe. Corrales’ tremendous prior win streak over Casamayor, Frietas, and Castillo is enough for Diego to make an appearance.
Missed the Cut
Jose Luis Castillo – Castillo used to be in my top five, but I have taken him out for the time being. Because of Jose Luis’ failure to make the 135 pound weight limit twice I have considered him inactive. Once Castillo reestablishes what his natural weight is and comes back I will reconsider his positioning.
Oscar De La Hoya – The Golden Boy’s win over Ricardo Mayorga was impressive and exciting, however I do not think that Mayorga was a good enough opponent to catapult Oscar into the list after two years of inactivity.
Antonio Margarito – This Mexican warrior is as dangerous as they come. I give Antonio the best chance out of anyone at welterweight to defeat Floyd Mayweather. His skill level is world class, however Margarito’s level of opposition has not matched that same level. Wins over Kermit Cintron and Manuel Gomez are decent, but Margarito is still waiting for his big break.
Chris John – John is a little known (at least in the United States) featherweight titlist from Indonesia. He has previously recorded quality wins over Derrick Gainer, Ratanachai Sor Vorapin, and Osamu Sato. Last March, Chris demonstrated just how good he was, outpointing Juan Manuel Marquez in a close fight. One more quality win like that and John will make an appearance in the top ten.
Miguel Cotto – Cotto is consistently fighting solid opponents and remains undefeated. He is a future superstar from Puerto Rico who is very close to breaking through and becoming one of the pound for pound elite. Miguel is still looking for his career defining fight though.
OK RSR Readers, I welcome your feedback on how you think I did in my top ten P4P rankings.
