There’s been no march in the streets for it, but I’ve read many pound for pound lists lately and felt like putting one together. Maybe I’ll do this every 90 days or so, or maybe never again.
My thoughts for this week are on Fernando Vargas and Arturo Gatti, and both warriors figure in this top ten. I don’t give people advice on how to run their lives, so I won’t start with any crap about what they should do in the future. I’ll leave all that pompous pedestal pounding for so many others. Frankly, in the case of Vargas, there seems to be an almost sinister glee from some boxing writers who would do wise to remember all their expense paid trips to Las Vegas courtesy of his spirit.
So this top ten is for Thunder and FEROZ. Remember where you were when you watched the doctor in Gatti’s corner checking his eyesight in the break prior to him dumping Wilson Rodriguez. And remember where you were when Tito got dropped in the fourth round by Vargas, who had been knocked down twice to start the fight?
Needless to say, if you don’t see your favorite fighter on this list, it’s probably because there is no “remember were you were?” moment for them.
1. Manny Pacquaio—his hit list of late is unmatched by the other names on my list. He beats Marco Antonio Barrera, draws with Juan Manuel Marquez, knocks out Fahsian 3K battery, has a close decision loss to Erik Morales, KOs Murad Muhammad (might need a milk carton for him), knocks out Hector Velasquez in 6, knocks out Erik Morales in the 10th and wins nine rounds against Oscar Larios. All this has taken place in the last 32 months. Folks, there is no comparison. And he’s set to face Erik Morales again this fall. Forget the prancing you see in and out of the ring from the rest, Pac-Man is the best.
2. Diego Corrales—one look at his bout sheet over the last three years says it all. Just signed to fight Casamayor for the third time, has splits with Castillo, although I’ll only count the first battle—the greatest fight I have ever witnessed. And chuck in the beatdown of Freitas. In and out of the ring, he carries himself as a top pound for pounder. He could be fighting a Rolando Reyes type this fall, but no, bring on the Cuban badass he says. Kudos to you Chico – anytime, anyplace, and I’ll be there.
3. Shane Mosley—Credit where credit is due for the Sugarman. He looked impressive in both fights against Fernando Vargas. He also beat Oscar twice and I scored the second fight with Winky Wright a draw. Also, Mosley has shown himself to be a “fighter.” His career includes bouts that would have been ducked at those times by many others. Not sure what he does next, but I’d like to see him stay at 154 and fight Winky, although it appears unlikely given the business of Golden Boy Promotions. Perhaps if Margarito beats Quintana, Mosley will face the Tijuana Tornado in the spring.
4. Carlos Baldomir—it’s been a long road for the true Cinderella Man, but you have to give him the credit where it’s due. He hasn’t lost in seven years and is this year’s leading candidate for “Fighter of the Year.” He beat Zab Judah in the small room at Madison Square Garden, also known as “gangsta central”, and then went into Arturo Gatti’s backyard and defended his 147-pound title in championship fashion, seemingly lacking any concern of anything other than beating Arturo. And I think he gives Floyd all sorts of problems.
5. Floyd Mayweather Jr.—the Judah fight was a decent performance, but I’m looking for more. I understand it’s a business for him, but Arum is offering $8 million for him to fight a guy that he says he can make easy work of. I might even believe that, but I need to see him do it. Instead he’s trying to coax Mosley into a fight. Fair enough, but Floyd, you’re the one calling yourself the best fighter in the world, so to whom much is thrust upon (even by oneself), much is expected.
Margarito was standing no more than 20 feet away from you at the press conference after Mosley/Vargas 2. Think of how great it would have been for you to walk over and say “It’s on.” That would have turned the boxing internet into skylines of flames with excitement. That’s how Gatti and Vargas would have taken care of business.
6. Jermain Taylor—Say what you want about coming close in his last three fights against Bernard Hopkins and Winky Wright, but many PFP lists had those guys in their top 5 or 10 when they fought. One more thing, in case you haven’t noticed my theme for this top ten, Taylor’s a “fighter”. He’ll come after you in the championship rounds, and hasn’t gotten on his bike yet.
7. Joe Calzaghe—Not sure how much credit to give Joe for beating Jeff Lacy. Keep in mind that it was the middle of the night and on his home turf that the fight was fought. But my thinking is that he would have won the fight in similar fashion in Tampa. Extra points for going for the late KO, when he could have waltzed to a decision.
8. Cory Spinks—Yep, I’ve heard all along about how boring he is, about his lack of popularity outside of St. Lou and I’m not buying. Off for a year and he beats a very tough Roman Karmazin to win a belt at 154. Also, was the first to expose Ricardo Mayorga for the fraud that he was. Splits with Zab Judah could lead to another match down the line, but I’d like to see him against Mayweather. I think he’s the one to beat Mayweather, especially if Floyd goes to 154.
9. Miguel Cotto—He just keeps winning. Malignaggi proved to be a very slick guy who was capable of giving him fits at times. But, just as he’s done during his pro career, he finds a way to win. I’d love to see him fight Hatton to truly define his presence in boxing. Not sure Hatton takes the fight at 147 or ever.
10a. Rocky Juarez—junior lightweight champion of the world. Confused? I have much more credibility saying that than Armando Garcia and his band of goofs or whatever they call themselves in California do in claiming Barrera won the fight. Check the rest at 130, after his second destruction of Barrera on September 16th I’d like to see him and Pac-Man go at it in the spring. Other than Manny, I say Rocky beats everyone at 130 and could be the Filipino rock star’s toughest foe.
10b. Sergei Liakhovich—He’s everything Fatman Toney purports to be. A real warrior. He just shows up and wins, similar to Baldy. Went to Cleveland and pretty much destroyed the then badass of the heavys, Lamon Brewster. His toughness and skills would be very tough for any of the other belt holders. It’s a waste for him to fight Kevin McBride. Would much rather see him tear it up with Rahman or Little Bro Klitschko. I’d favor him to gut out wins over both. The Brewster fight is near the top for Fight of the Year.
Disagree with me, hate me, whatever. It’s my criteria, and yes, I rank heavyweights.
Couple of other points…
Boxing on four times this week, starting on yesterday night. Yep, the sport is dying. Sure it is. Kudos to Top Rank and OLN for the series kicking off tonight. Would have been even cooler if Margarito was opening the series, but Pavlik/McKart should be a very good scrap.
Very strange to see Golden Boy Promotions take the safety measure that the NSAC put in place regarding Gatorade into the courthouse. Looks terrible considering the tragedy of Leavander Johnson taking place on their show. The Nevada commission is correct in allowing sports drinks in the corner. These are professional athletes we’re talking about, much like baseball and football players who regularly use sport drinks during games.
Also, was a little put off at the announcement of Winky Wright hooking up with Golden Boy at the Mosley/Vargas 2 press conference. The announcement of the “alliance” itself was confusing, as no specifics were given and it seemed in poor taste at the time. Mosley and Vargas deserved the time to themselves.
Jason Litzau—just tell me when he’s fighting and the TV comes on. Early, often and always.
I still think Jeff Lacy needs an eight round tune-up instead of a tough fight with Allan Green.
New York State Athletic Commission—guy flies in just before the fight and you let him in the ring. No pre-fight weigh-in. This is how you conduct business? You can talk all you want about the precautions you took, it looks terrible. What if Salita had truly hurt the kid? Wasn’t the Beethavean Scottland tragedy a lesson learned? I wouldn’t let a dog I hate fight in your state.
Maybe Curtis “Chin Checker” Stevens should fight with the full “gangsta” head wrap he wears into the ring. Couldn’t hurt. Congrats to journeyman Marcos Primera for the “exposure”, especially after the apparently intentional cup shot from Stevens.
Mosley and Vargas did 760,000 buys for their two fights. While Mosley is a popular guy and a three division champ, FEROZ’s popularity is still second only to the movie star aberration type of numbers Goldie gets. How many PPV’s get over 200,000 that won’t include Oscar or Fernando in the future? Mayweather?? Versus who??
I probably won’t buy the Jones/Ajamu fight, but I will say a prayer for Roy’s safety.
Terrific HBO BAD card this Saturday, even with the suspicious pull out of Mighty Mike. Vivian Harris and Stevie Johnston is a very intriguing bout, as is Joshua Clottey versus Richard Gutierrez. Kudos to HBO for a solid one on paper.
Strange to see Hatton’s team “gutted” over the loss by Gatti to Baldomir. How about “manning up” and challenging Baldomir. Probably not after Luis Collazo exposed your operation. How many people are going to by tickets in this country to see Hatton fight Urkal. And HBO is paying real money for this sideshow?
Enjoy the fights.
