THE first half of 2007 is almost over and its time to update our pound-for-pound ranking based on what the top boxers have accomplished during this period, if any. Here is the Last Round’s pound-for-pound list as of June 2007
1)Floyd Mayweather Jr.—I thought dela Hoya deserved to win his super fight with Floyd Jr. But because the record books will forever state that Floyd won that one, he keeps the top spot for now, although he is standing on shaky ground.
2)Manny Pacquiao—Manny fought and beat an unknown in Jorge Solis, which means Floyd had better competition. Manny’s win, though impressive, was not enough to catapult him to the number one spot.
3)Winky Wright—The winkster has not fought this year, but was his usual dominant self in eking out a win over Ike Quartey in December of 2006. He is scheduled to meet fellow pound-for-pound entrant Bernard Hopkins next month in an intriguing match that will definitely vault the winner to the top of the pound for pound rankings.
4)Bernard Hopkins—The “Executioner” hasn’t fought in a year, but his last win against light heavyweight champ loudmouth Antonio Tarver was impressive enough to keep him in this list. At age 42, Hopkins continues to defy father time and his bout with Winky Wright is to be fought at the super-middleweight limit.
5)Ricky Hatton—After struggling at welterweight, the 2005 Fighter of the year dropped back down to junior welter and defeated Juan Urango for the IBO. His upcoming fight with Mexican Jose Luis Castillo on June 23 figures to be a pier 6 brawl.
6)Joe Calzaghe—This undefeated Welshman scored an impressive TKO victory over The Contender’s Peter Manfredo, disposing of the upstart in just three rounds. Still, the failure to follow up with a victory over another marquee opponent after his win over Jeff Lacy figures to be a major drawback for this talented southpaw.
7)Jermain Taylor—The middleweight champion has been receiving a lot of criticism lately for his lackluster performances, but the quality of his opponents has never dipped. He has fought Hopkins (twice), Winky Wright, Kassim Ouma, Cory Spinks and remains to be undefeated. Enough said.
8)Miguel Cotto—His knockout of Zab Judah just last week was quite impressive. He out-jabbed the jabber, landed his trademark combinations, and fought bravely despite being hurt a couple of times. Miguel Cotto has definitely arrived.
9)Juan Manuel Marquez—His most recent win over Marco Antonio Barrera has underscored the fact that Marquez definitely deserves a spot among the elite. His rematch with Manny Pacquiao remains to be a matchmaker’s dream.
10)Oscar dela Hoya—Most of the Golden Boy’s defeats have come at a late stage in his career, but when you hold the best pound for pound fighter to a controversial split decision, you definitely deserve a spot on the pound for pound list.
PRESS RELEASE. Calling on the University of the Philippines (UP) Cebu High School Class of 87, your 20-year reunion is happening next weekend. There will be a turn over of donated school equipment on Friday June 22, 1pm at UP Cebu in Lahug; and a reunion dinner on Saturday June 23 at the Pacific Cebu Resort from 4pm to 9pm. For more info, please contact Leah Joy Dormitorio Cabanban at 09176208406, or e-mail [email protected].
THE LAST ROUND. The last round is on Ronald and Eurica Causing who exchanged wedding vows yesterday. May your life together be like a John Ruiz boxing match–no fighting but with lots of hugging. Congratulations and cheers!
