Here it is. The twenty best pound for pound fighters in the world according to Boxingtalk.com’s G. Leon. This is one you definitely don’t want to miss! Kassim Ouma, Felix Trinidad and Glen Johnson make the cut while Ricardo Mayorga and perennial pound for pounders Roy Jones Jr. and Oscar De La Hoya find themselves on the outside looking in for the first time in over a decade.
1. BERNARD HOPKINS
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With one perfectly placed shot to the liver, Bernard Hopkins, the ageless wonder put a stamp on his pound for pound supremacy. “The Executioner” has owned the middleweight division for nearly a decade. Hasn’t lost in over eleven years when he dropped a decision to the great Roy Jones Jr. With De La Hoya behind him, Hopkins has a world of options in what has once again become one of boxing’s richest divisions. Next: Someone will be “Unlucky #20” Interesting Fact: Oscar De La Hoya became the second fighter in over ten years to actually win more than three rounds on an official scorecard against Bernard Hopkins. In 2000 judge Harry Davis gave Syd Vanderpool four rounds.
2. ANTONIO TARVER
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“The Magic Man” exploded on to most peoples pound for pound list after his stunning second round knockout of Roy Jones Jr.-Tarver was in my top ten after his November 2003 encounter with Jones- His style will create problems for anyone. A tall defensive minded southpaw with one punch knockout power, is tough to beat. Next: TBD (Mandatory With Paul Briggs likely) Interesting Fact: The only active fighter in boxing with more than one loss that’s beaten every man he’s faced. And, both of Tarver’s redemption wins came via KO in less than 6.
3. FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR.
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The best young fighter in the world today has already taken the top spot on several pound for pound lists. Although his resume is impressive, his last few opponents haven’t been top notch (Corley, N’Dou, Sosa) and that’s hindered his ascension to my top spot. Before three relatively easy wins, many believe Mayweather split his two fights with current WBC lightweight champ, Jose Luis Castillo. If Gatti chickens out of his mandatory obligation it should be interesting to see where boxing’s “Pretty Boy” goes. Next: TBD Interesting Fact: After losing to Floyd Mayweather, Carlos Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales have all gone on to win world titles.
4. CORY SPINKS
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After three tough fights in a row Spinks tuned up nicely against the overmatched Miguel Angel Gonzalez. Spinks deserves credit for making easy work out of somebody everyone and their mama was telling him was going to be ‘easy work.’ Would be a strong choice for 2004 Fighter of The Year had he only fought Mayorga three weeks later. In one years time Spinks won the IBF title against Piccirllo in ITALY, came in a huge underdog against-then pound for pounder-Ricardo Mayorga, put on a boxing clinic en route to upsetting the Nicaraguan slugger to unify the welterweight titles. He then successfully defended the undisputed welterweight championship against the favored two time junior welterweight champ Zab Judah. Could be the slickest boxer in the world. NEXT: TBD But Spinks is very serious about trying to make something happen with Felix Trinidad at middleweight! Interesting Fact: The dance you’ve seen Cory Spinks perform during his walks to the ring against Mayorga and Judah is known as the chickenhead.
5. MANNY PACQUIAO
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After beating Barrera like he stole something, Pacquiao came right back to face Juan Manuel Marquez in this year’s (so far) fight of the year. Although the judges scored it a draw, I gave the nod to Pacquiao. Very one dimensional fighter, but he’s absolutely relentless in the squared circle and his pressure has already proven to be a bit too much for even the world’s best to handle. NEXT: TBD
6. ERIK MORALES
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Just keeps on winning. Moved up from featherweight and unified the WBC and IBF titles within his first three fights as a junior lightweight. I don’t think he’s terrible but he’s not as great as some of my peers in the press are making him out to be. The first time he faces a big puncher or slick boxer the party will be over. Casamayor and Corrales both make easy work of Morales. NEXT: November 27 HBO PPV Vs. Marco Antonio Barrera Interesting Fact: Hasn’t faced anyone NOT promoted by Bob Arum’s Top Rank Inc. since the Barrera rematch.
7. DIEGO CORRALES
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With his back to back wins over Joel Casamayor and Acelino Freitas, Diego Corrales has earned his right to be mentioned among the ten best in the world. Nuff said. Ever the competitor Diego is hoping his next fight is another biggie. He’s hoping Erik Morales or Jose Luis Castillo want to mix it up, but both are promoted by Top Rank, so let’s see what happens. NEXT: TBD Interesting Fact: Diego Corrales currently has 15 tats on his body.
8. WINKY WRIGHT
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I’ve spent more than two years telling people Winky Wright was the best junior middleweight in the world. After his dominating performance against Shane Mosley, they’re starting to listen. He must however, prove he’s not a one hit wonder when he faces Mosley in a November rematch. Next: HBO World Championship Boxing Vs. Shane Mosley Interesting Fact: Winky Wright heads his own record label.
9. KOSTYA TSZYU
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Since he last fought -Jesse James Leija in Jan. 2003- Winky Wright, Cory Spinks, Manny Pacquiao, James Toney and Antonio Tarver have emerged as pound for pound fighters which has dropped Tszyu from his top five ranking. No worries though, if he takes care of business against Sharmba Mitchell on November 6, he’ll get his spot back. There are other fighters that might currently deserve a top ten ranking more than Tszyu, but the man has never lost his title in the ring, so he’s still on my top ten. Barely. Next: November 6 on Showtime Championship Boxing Vs. Sharmba Mitchell. Interesting Fact: Kostya Tszyu unified the junior welterweight championships in less than ten rounds.
10. RAFAEL MARQUEZ
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The best fighter in his family, and when Juan Manuel Marquez is your brother, that’s saying something. Huge wins over Mark Johnson and Tim Austin and dominating performances since then make Marquez the best fighter in the world under featherweight. Would love to see him matched against either Oscar Larios or Joan Guzman at 122 pounds. Each of those bouts would be considered potential fights of the year. NEXT: TBD
11. JAMES TONEY
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2003’s Fighter Of The Year is back. Toney dismantled Rydell Booker for every round in his first fight back after an eleven month hiatus due to an achilles injury. Toney planned to stay extremely busy and had a December 18 HBO on the table for him, unfortunately a torn bicep has now side lined Toney. He is expected to miss at least three months. Where this leaves his potential super fight with WBC heavyweight champ Vitali Klitschko remains unknown. Has the skills, and chin to take out any of the top heavyweights. Interesting Fact: James Toney played Joe Frazier in ALI. Next TBA.
12. JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ
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Boring was the word most often used to describe his last fight against Orlando Salido. Juan Manuel Marquez is one of the most technically sound fighters in the game, but it would be nice to see him forget about counterpunching every once in a blue moon. Next: Feb. Rematch With Pacquiao A Possibility
13. MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA
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Even after his good performance against Paulie Ayala, I’m still not convinced Marco Antonio is back on track. Against Ayala, we might have just seen who the least battle worn of the two was. Rematch with Pacquiao or third fight with Morales will let us know exactly what “The Baby Faced Assassin’s” future holds, and what he has left. NEXT HBO PPV November 27 Vs. Erik Morales.
14. FELIX “TITO” TRINIDAD
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He’s BAAACK. After a two and a half year layoff Puerto Rican Superstar Felix “Tito” Trinidad returned to the ring with a stellar performance against heavy handed Nicaraguan slugger Ricardo Mayorga. Trinidad’s championship heart and skill were on display as he consistently beat the cherry headed bomber to the punch sll night long. Trinidad takes Mayorga’s spot on the list and is one more significant win away from returning to the top ten. Hopkins, De La Hoya, Wright, Mosley, Vargas, Taylor, Spinks…For Trinidad, the options are limitless. De La Hoya seems to be the early frontrunner because he’s the the biggest payday, but pride and ego could prevent it from coming to fruition. NEXT: TBD
15. GLEN JOHNSON
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His victory over Roy Jones Jr. places Johnson on my pound for pound list for the first time in his life. Not too many predicted Jones would be done coming into the ring. To his credit Johnson left no doubt and thoroughly dominated the action against the recently knocked out, but still heavily favored Jones, who was picked to win by virtually every boxing expert in the game. Johnson has always been a solid fighter. Of his nine losses maybe three of them tops were legit. Notable recent wins over Harding, Woods and now Jones. Was jobbed against Julio Gonzalez and Sven Ottke, Branco and others. Do your homework and you’ll know the deal. If Jones people thought Jones was done they would have never approved someone as hungry as Glen Johnson for their comeback fight. Next: TBD Interesting fact: Now Daniel Judah can say (though he won’t brag about it) he has a draw with someone who was good enought to KO Roy Jones Jr.
16. VERNON FORREST
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From the mountaintop to the valley. Two terrific wins over Mosley led to Forrest being named Fighter Of The Year 2002, but 2003 was a lost year for “The Viper” as he took two losses to Ricardo Mayorga. 2004 four and a half months away from being another lost year. Had a to pull out of April HBO date due to injury. Has since been operated on and is currently rehabbing getting ready for a fall return, probably against Javier Castillejo. If he returns at 100% Forrest is definitely one of the world’s best, so look for him to make some noise. NEXT: TBD (fight with Javier Castillejo in discussion) Interesting Fact: Vernon will be appearing in an upcoming motion picture Tournament Of Dreams and has taken acting lessons while in California.
17. JOEL CASAMAYOR
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One of the most complete fighters on the planet, and one of the dirtiest. Followed up his close loss to Corrales with a decent showing against Daniel Seda. Considering Seda was a blown up featherweight who almost got knocked out in the first round against Derrick Gainer, I think Casamayor has shown signs of being on the decline. Look for something big from “El Cepillo” though because it’s likely he’s fighting Diego Corrales, Erik Morales or someone else of note in his next fight. NEXT: TBD
18. SHANE MOSLEY
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One loss away from “bolivian” as Mike Tyson would say. However, the Sugarman can never be counted out. Remember how he was all but written off after his two losses to Forrest and no-contest with Raul Marquez and came back to beat De La Hoya in the rematch? New trainer Joe Goossen is a step-up from his father and their demeanors seem to mesh well. Mosley can’t look any worse than he did against Wright this past March and he still had his moments throughout the bout. NEXT: HBO World Championship Boxing November 20 Mandalay Bay Vs. Winky Wright
19. JOE CALZAGHE
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Glen Johnson was going to fight Calzaghe in England before the Welshman pulled out at the last minute. He later opted to fight Roy Jones Jr. and knocked him out. While Joe has sat idle until his recently announced, not so appetizing fight with Kabary Salem coming up. Calzaghe drops from 15 to 19 based on others making moves while Glen Johnson, his would be opponent basically takes his spot following his huge win. It looks like his team is faking moves. I still think the kid has the goods, it would be nice to see if the long overdue moves are ever made by Team Calzaghe. Next Oct. 23 Vs. Kabary Salem
20. KASSIM OUMA
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Doesn’t have the name recognition of many of the others on my list, but if you know boxing all you have to do is take one quick look at Ouma’s resume. Only 22 fights but he already has wins over Bunema an undefeated Toygonbayev, Lerma, Borjorquez, Candelo, Hernandez and Vernon Phillips twice. Ouma cracks the top 20 with his recent win over Phillips. Could be the best kept secret in boxing, needs a big name fight to take his career to the next level. NEXT: TBD
THE NEXT FIVE
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Ricardo Mayorga, Jose Luis Castillo, Oscar Larios, Sharmba Mitchell and Oscar De La Hoya
10 WITH P4P POTENTIAL TO KEEP AN EYE ON
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Miguel Cotto, Zab Judah, Jermain Taylor, Kermit Cintron, Antonio Margarito, Vivian Harris, Joan Guzman, Travis Simms, Wayne Braithwaite, Ricky Hatton (in no particular order)
FABULOUS FOUR BIGGEST PUNCHERS
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Felix Trinidad, Antonio Tarver, Diego Corrales, Rafael Marquez (in no particular order)
SLICKEST BOXER
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(tie) Floyd Mayweather Jr., Cory Spinks
HEIR TO THE POUND FOR POUND THRONE FIGHT
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Floyd Mayweather Jr. Vs. Cory Spinks
