1. Manny Pacquiao {Junior Lightweight} Pacquiao looked brilliant in his last fight as he brutalized David Diaz, taking his WBC Lightweight crown on June 28th. Pacquaio will be moving up two weight classes for a mega fight with Oscar De La Hoya December 6th on HBO PPV. This fight upsets most of the boxing community, as Pacquaio a one time flyweight champion, will be battling a former middleweight title holder in De La Hoya. If boxing was the way it should be, Pacquaio would be heading toward a third fight with Juan Manuel Marquez while De La Hoya took on Antonio Margarito. Oh well what can you do?
2. Joe Calzaghe {Light Heavyweight} In his last fight on April 19th Calzaghe looked like an ?average Joe? as he recovered from a first round knockdown to outpoint Bernard Hopkins via split decision. Even with a marginal performance, Calzaghe landed more punches than anyone previously did against the defensively sound Hopkins according to Compu Box. Calzaghe is just two weeks away from his showdown with Roy Jones Jr, which is taking place November 8th on HBO PPV. Even though both men are at the tail end of their careers, the bout is very intriguing. Win or lose, Calzaghe says that he will be retiring after the fight.
3. Bernard Hopkins {Light Heavyweight} Score one for the old guys! Hopkins, 43, a 4-1 underdog and loser in 3 of his last 5 fights dominated previously unbeaten Kelly Pavlik October 18th in a virtual shutout. This was perhaps the best performance of Hopkins? illustrious career and adds a ton to his already cemented legacy. After years of indifferences, Roy Jones surprisingly said he would fight Hopkins again if the negotiations go well (this may never happen). Even if Calzaghe doesn?t retire, there is no public demand for Calzaghe-Hopkins II. If the Jones fight doesn?t happen, will Hopkins continue? If so, I have two words for you Bernard: Chad Dawson.
4. Antonio Margarito {Welterweight} Welcome to the top Antonio! Margarito is now an elite level fighter after his phenomenal 11th round TKO over previously unbeaten powerhouse Miguel Cotto on July 26th. Margarito overcame an early points deficit and broke Cotto?s will, dropping him twice in the 11th round, forcing his corner to throw in the towel. The win makes Margarito the new WBA welterweight champion. After being blatantly ducked by Oscar De La Hoya and a rematch with Joshua Clottey fell apart, Margarito may now face former 3 division world champion Shane Mosley in the near future. Although Shane is at the end of his career, Mosley-Margarito is a good fight.
5. Juan Manuel Marquez {Lightweight} What a performance! On September 13th, Marquez successfully moved up to lightweight and stopped Ring Magazine champion Joel Casamayor. Marquez controlled most of the bout and dropped Casamayor twice in the 11th, stopping the Cuban for the first time in his career. Marquez will once again chase Manny Pacquaio in attempt for a rematch. If this fight can?t be made, a Marquez-Juan Diaz fight is a good possibility.
6. Miguel Cotto {Welterweight} Cotto was shockingly defeated by 3-1 underdog Antonio Margarito in a grueling battle on July 26th. Cotto fought well early but Margarito came on strong late and broke Cotto down, stopping him in the 11th. Cotto is still one of the best fighters in the world and shouldn?t have much trouble making a comeback after he takes a much deserved rest. Joshua Clottey and Kermit Cintron are potential opponents for his comeback fight.
7. Israel Vazquez {Super Bantamweight} Vazquez made it two out of three against the elite Rafael Marquez with his hard fought and well deserved split decision victory on March 1st. Vazquez showed an incredible amount of heart as he recovered from a fourth round knockdown and an early deficit on the scorecards to aggressively attack Marquez in the later rounds, and score a knockdown with just seconds remaining in the 12th to seal the fight. Vazquez is still taking much deserved time off, as he has absorbed heavy punishment during the phenomenal trilogy. There is still no word on Vazquez? next fight but expect to hear something soon.
8. Christian Mijares {Super Flyweight} Mijares, the WBC super flyweight king, became a unified champion after out pointing WBA champion Alexander Munoz on May 17th. Mijares then stopped Chatchai Sasakule in three rounds. Mijares will now be unifying with newly crowned IBF flyweight champion Vic Darchinyan on November 1st. The winner of that fight should definitely fight WBO kingpin Fernando Montiel so the division can have one legitimate titleholder, something boxing badly needs.
9. Ivan Calderon {Junior Flyweight} On August 30th, Calderon was schooling the much bigger Hugo Cazares, whom he previously beat. ?The Mini Machine?, as I like to call him appeared headed toward an easy unanimous decision victory but had to settle for a technical decision following a nasty cut he received from a headbutt. Calderon will be out the rest of 08 due to the cut. When he returns, it?d be nice to see him unify with IBF belt holder Ulises Solis or WBC champion Edgar Sosa
10. Kelly Pavlik {Middleweight} What Happened? Pavlik was a 4-1 favorite over 43 year old Bernard Hopkins but was thoroughly dominated over 12 rounds. I like many, expected a Pavlik victory where he wouldn?t look pretty (who has ever looked good vs Hopkins?). I read a recent article where Pavlik, promoter Bob Arum and manager Cameron Dunkin said they never really wanted the Hopkins fight and it was the only possibility at the time. I can?t blame them for not wanting the fight but they took it and stuff happens. Pavlik, the WBC/WBO middleweight champion, will now return to the division where he belongs. Pavlik will probably face mandatory challenger Marco Antonio Rubio in his next fight then hopefully battle the winner of Arthur Abraham-Raul Marquez.
Honorable Mention: Rafael Marquez, Chris John, Shane Mosley, Wladimir Klitchko, Nate Campbell, Ricky Hatton, David Haye, Joan Guzman, Juan Diaz, Chad Dawson.
