Who is the world’s best fighter, regardless of weight class? See my top 20 below.
And don’t forget to check out the divisional rankings, now updated weekly.
For a list of the current champions in all weight classes, click here.
Note: Results through Sept. 23.
1 Manny Pacquiao
Junior welterweight champion Age: 30 | Record: 49-3-2, 37 KOs
Hits: Some might believe Floyd Mayweather Jr. should be back at No. 1 now that he has ended his retirement and won his comeback fight in easy fashion against Juan Manuel Marquez. However, Pacquiao earned his position at No. 1 during Mayweather’s absence by knocking out bigger men in Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton, not by taking the Mayweather route of picking smaller men to fight. If there’s going to be a change at the top, Pacquiao at least deserves the opportunity to fight his Nov. 14 welterweight title bout against Miguel Cotto first. Let’s see what happens in that one before reassessing things.
Misses: If Pacquiao-Mayweather ever happens, “Pacman” fans have to be a little worried after seeing Mayweather destroy Marquez, the man who had two life-and-death fights with Pacquiao in a disputed draw and split-decision loss (albeit at the lighter weights).
2 Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Welterweight Age: 32 | Record: 40-0, 25 KOs
Hits: After 21 months in retirement, Mayweather returned Sept. 19 in grand style to demolish previous No. 2 Marquez, knocking him down and beating the crap out of him for 12 lopsided rounds. It’s nice to have “Money” back, because, love him or hate him, he injects excitement into the sport. There are several huge fights for him on the horizon if he elects to try to make them.
Misses: Although Mayweather routed Marquez, it was expected by many, because, as great as Marquez is, he was fighting way over his best weight for the first time. So although Mayweather looked terrific, you have to take into account the size difference, especially considering Mayweather disrespected Marquez and the sport by not even trying to make the 144-pound contract weight. Instead, Mayweather paid his way out of it and came in at 146, giving him yet another advantage.
3 Bernard Hopkins
Light heavyweight Age: 44 | Record: 49-5-1, 32 KOs Hits: Even just a few months from his 45th birthday, Hopkins still is an outstanding fighter with the itch to fight, be it against cruiserweight champ Tomasz Adamek, light heavyweight Chad Dawson or Roy Jones Jr. in a long-discussed rematch.
Misses: Hopkins hasn’t fought since he dominated middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik in a nontitle fight in October, and he isn’t getting any younger. So when and who will Hopkins fight? There has been a lot of talk, but no solid answers.
