Since I started writing for the Examiner, boxing fans and readers have asked me for my opinions on who the best Pound-4-Pound boxers and mixed martial artists are. Since it’s a mythical ranking and concept anyway, I will be putting my own spin in my list. My basis will be solely how I see things and not based on any other list that is already out there. I weigh heavily more on the level of competition and accomplishment a fighter has recently fought rather than listen to what mos tpeople out there say. So without further ado and much fanfare, here is my first ever top 10 Pound-4-Pound Best Boxers list.
D SOURCE’S 1ST BOXING POUND FOR POUND LIST (JUNE 09)
1. Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao
(49-3-2-37 KOs)
Most Recent Fight: May 2, 2009 KO victory over Ricky Hatton in 2 rounds.
Manny Pacquiao heads the list for obvious reasons. Pacquiao took the road less travelled coming from obscurity in the Philippines and working his way up and making a name for himself by defeating the best fighters he can find. He made the former linear 140 lb. champion Ricky Hatton, who was also undefeated in that weight class, look like a sparring partner. The victory solidified Pacquiao’s claim as the best in the business and eliminated Hatton from any consideration of Top Pound-4-Pound billing.
What’s Next? Pacquiao is looking forward to fight again on October but a dance partner has yet to be named. Everyone around Pacquiao’s weight class however are eager to climb in the ring against the sport’s new cash cow as it certainly translates into the best paydays of their career.
2. Juan Manuel Marquez
(50-4-1-37 KOs)
Most Recent Fight: Stopped the gutsy Juan Diaz in his home turf in Houston via 9th round TKO. Marquez was showing signs though but his heart would not allow him to lose.
A lot of people put Marquez on top of their lists of the Pound-4-Pound best in merit of his excellent performances against Pacquiao. I think it’s unfair for the Dinamita to be a side note to Pacquiao every time talks about how good he is. Marquez is really an elite boxer in his own right. He’s a master tactician in the ring together with his trainer Nacho Beristain. Although I disagree that he won against Pacquiao in both times they fought each other like some people think, I believe he did give Pacquiao the toughest fights of his life. The only thing though is that he fought the old Pacquiao. Since Pacquiao moved up in weight and added new weapons to his arsenal after he fought Marquez in March of 08, I don’t think Marquez will last more than 5 rounds against the Pac Man especially with his age and wear and tear.
What’s Next? Will cash in on probably his biggest payday ever against Mayweather Jr. on July 18. Some people wonder why Marquez took this fight, other say it’s because of his age and that he simply wants a big payday before he hangs his gloves up, others say he has a legitimate shot against the former Pound-4-Pound fighter in the sport who has been away from the game for almost 2 years. A victory over Mayweather Jr. will surely mean a blockbuster third fight against Pacquiao.
3. Paul “The Punisher” Williams
(37-1-0-27 KOs)
Most recent fight: Won via decision against one of the craftiest boxers of the decade in Winky Wright.
“The Punisher” in one of the most avoided boxers in the game today. He can fight anywhere from 147 to 160. It’s quite amazing how some people have not given Williams the respect he deserves. His lone loss came against Carlos Quintana which he quickly avenged via 1st round TKO victory. Williams is tall and has tremendous reach advantage against pretty much anyone he faces in his division but packs the power had the offensive prowess to take advantage of his length. The scary thing is he only keeps getting better. No wonder people avoid him.
What’s Next? Still in the works. Should go after the likes of Sugar Shane Mosley or Floyd Mayweather to get the big pay day he deserves, but the question is, do they want anything to do with Williams?
4. Shane Mosley
(46-5-0-39 KOs)
Most Recent Fight: 9th round TKO victory over Antonio Margarito las January.
“Sugar” Shane Mosley is still showing people why he was once considered as the greatest fighter in the sport. The ageless Mosley has been writtern off time and time again but was brilliant against Antonio Margarito last January. Against another Pound-4-Pound mainstay in Miguel Cotto prior to that, Mosley also stood toe to toe against the younger Puerto Rican. Some people say Mosley should’ve won the fight, regardless though, Mosley is still one of the best in the business.
What’s Next? Mosley has been lobbying for a fight with Manny Pacquiao (who isn’t nowadays?). The deal isn’t done yet unlike how the Mosley camp wants to make it appear to be but further negotiations whould allow this fight to happen. Mosley would have to give away some concessions though. A fight with Paul Williams or a rematch with Cotto wouldn’t be so bad either.
5. Miguel Cotto
(33-1-0-27 KOs)
Most Recent Fight: Bounced back from loss against Margarito by beating Michael Jennings via 5th round TKO last February.
Cotto has been surrounded with personal controversy with his trainer and uncle not too long ago but it seems like all of that is behind him. Cotto is as focused as ever and is on a mission to reclaim his spot on top of his division. He is a skillful and fundamentally superb boxer to watch. His chin and heart however are suspect but outside of that, Cotto is the complete package.
Who’s Next? Cotto is fighting Joshua Clottey next week in MSG. A fight with Pacquiao has been suggested by Cotto’s promoter Bob Arum in the event Cotto pulls out a victory against Clottey.
6. Bernard Hopkins – (49-5-1- 32 KOs) Defeated much younger Kelly Pavlik last October. I wonder how much left “The Executioner” still has left in him. Old is an understatement, but he still has what it takes, it’s just a matter of does he still have anything to prove? A rematch with another greybeard in Roy Jones Jr. is probably the only thing left.
7. Chad Dawson – (28-0-0-17KOs) “Bad Chad” Dawson is coming from a second victory over Antonio Tarver. Chad has the tools to be on top for a while.
8. Floyd Mayweather Jr. – (39-0-0-25 KOs) “Pretty Boy Floyd” or “Money May” as he prefers to go by nowadays starts off at number eight until I see how he does against Marquez. I rate my boxers not because of their records but based on their most recent fights and level of competition. Since Floyd retired and opted to fight a smaller guy, I’d have to reserve my rating for the guys on top of him in this list that have fought better competition and far more in in recent memory.
9. Nonito Donaire Jr. – (21-1-0-14 KOs) “The Filipino Flash” is proving to be a great fighter by himself and is slowly stepping out of countryman Manny Pacquiao’s shadow. Donaire Jr. can do anything inside the ring and has pop in his punches as well. A rematch against Vic Darchinyan should happen.
10. Vic Darchinyan – (32-1-1- 26 KOs) Since getting KTFO by Nonito Donaire Jr. in 2007, “The Raging Bull” has climbed back to the top by beating some of the best ever in the lower weight classes in Jorge Arce and Christian Mijares.
Props 2: Ivan Calderon, Israel Vasquez, Rafael Marquez
