An active few weeks in the Sweet Science calls for a new pound-for-pound list.
Pretty & Pac
1. Floyd Mayweather: As uninspiring as “Pretty Boy’s” victory over Oscar De La Hoya may have been (some of us even thought he lost), he was the official winner, against a larger fighter, in the biggest boxing match of all time. His style is about as fun to watch as yoga, but you can’t deny his skills. Next will be an Oscar rematch, or a showdown with Shane Mosley.
2. Manny Pacquiao: Given Mayweather’s performance, “Pac-Man” may have ascended to the top spot with a strong win against Jorge Solis in April. But Pacquiao was sluggish, probably because of a run for a Filipino political seat. Luckily, he lost the election. Now he can concentrate on Juan Manuel Marquez.
3. Rafael Marquez: The former bantamweight champ stepped up 4 pounds and survived a knockdown to stop Israel Vazquez in seven rounds in March. As boxing’s hardest puncher, he just keeps knocking people out. Next is a rematch with Vazquez. 4. Winky Wright: Still one of the smartest, trickiest, fighters in the world, Winky will meet Bernard Hopkins in July in what figures to be an intriguing battle for the light heavyweight title. Wright will be fighting beyond his natural weight class. If he wins, it’s on to lucrative fights with Joe Calzaghe, Jermain Taylor or Kelly Pavlik.
5. Joe Calzaghe: Say what you will about the “early” stoppage of Peter Manfredo Jr., Calzaghe — boxing’s longest-reigning champion — was dominant. At 35, the Welshman appears to be in his prime, and he is showing an interest in an American invasion. Hopefully, that would include a matchup with the aforementioned Hopkins, Taylor or Pavlik.
B-Hop & J.M.M.
6. Bernard Hopkins: Hopkins’ masterful decision over Antonio Tarver last June was supposedly his swan song. But “B-Hop” is back, against Wright. At 42, Father Time is starting to back Hopkins into a corner. But until he loses, he’s still one of boxing’s best.
7. Juan Manuel Marquez: Marquez — long one of the game’s more underappreciated fighters — hit the jackpot with a decision over Marco Antonio Barrera. At 33, Marquez still is effective enough to be considered a live underdog against Pacquiao, whom he drew with in 2004.
8. Marco Antonio Barrera: We’ve written Barrera off before, but, at 33, he probably doesn’t have many comebacks left in him. He’s been looking old for a year now, and his opposition is only getting younger. One more big fight — probably against Marquez — and then it’s time for Marco to say goodbye.
9. Ricky Hatton: The “Hitman” was smashing in his 2005 knockout of Kostya Tszyu. He hasn’t looked that good since. His decisions over Luis Collazo and Juan Urango were bores. Next, though, is Jose Luis Castillo in a fight that could revive both men’s careers.
10. Jermain Taylor: He beat Hopkins twice and had a draw with Winky, yet we’re still not sure if he can fight. His yawner over Cory Spinks last week was abysmal. Showdowns with Calzaghe or Pavlik will go a long way toward identifying the true J.T.
Matthew Aguilar may be reached at [email protected].
