Saturday, January 12, 2013
IT?s time to put up our pound for pound rankings at the start of this calendar year so we can establish our fulcrum before the big fights are upon us.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. (43-0, 26 KOs). No change here as Floyd continues to reign at the zenith of the sport, helped in part by rival Manny Pacquiao?s back to back losses.
?The Pretty Boy? fought only once in 2012 , a dominant decision win over Miguel Cotto. However, Floyd got hit more than he?s used to in that fight, clearly demonstrating that even the best are no match for father time.
2.) Juan Manuel Marquez (55-6, 40KOs). Marquez rightfully ascends to the second spot in our rankings by virtue of his stunning knockout of the Pacman. Aside from that seminal victory, Marquez also defeated Serhiy Fedchenko via unanimous decision. Debate will forever rage as to whether Manny was nailed by a luck punch or not, but regardless of your take on the matter, it is beyond cavil that JMM certainly has Manny?s number. And it?s on speed dial.
3.) Nonito Donaire (31-1, 20KOs). Had Marquez won over the Pacman via decision only, I would have placed Donaire on the second spot. ?The Filipino Flash? had a spectacular year, and he was fittingly proclaimed ?Fighter of the Year.? I usually am in assent with the rankings posted by The Ring Magazine, but for them to rank Sergio Martinez higher than Donaire is simply beyond me. Donaire figured in four championship bouts, and won them all, two via stoppage.
4.) Andre Ward (26-0, 14KOs) Injuries sidelined Ward for most of the year which affected his output, but he figured in one of the biggest super-fights of the year?a showdown with light heavyweight king Chad Dawson.
The Super Six Super-middleweight king made it look easy. He dominated the formidable Dawson and stopped him in 10 rounds.
5.) Sergio Gabriel Martinez (50-2, 28KOS) Maravilla won twice in 2012 but struggled in both contests.
He was knocked down in Round 7 by Matthew Macklin and was nearly knocked out by Julio Cesar Chavez in the last round.
His spot on these rankings is beyond question as he is an extremely talented fighter, but I have to peg him below Ward and Donaire.
6.) Wladimir Klitschko (59-3, 50KOs)- Dr Steelhammer had a very prolific year, defending his 4 titles against three challengers and knocking out two of them in under six rounds.
7.) Manny Pacquiao (54-5, 38KOs)- ?Our Pambansang Kamao?, had a disastrous year, losing to Timothy Bradley and Marquez.
The first was a farce, as he clearly deserved to win that fight. And in the Marquez loss, he was winning the fight up until he ran smack into that counter-right hand from hell. These redeeming factors clearly dictate that Manny is still among the best pound for pound.
8.) Timothy Bradley- (29-0, 12KOs)- Regardless of how we feel about that verdict, the records books will forever state that Bradley defeated Pacquiao and so Bradley deserves a spot. Plus, he?s undefeated and acquitted himself quite well against Pacquiao.
9.) Adrien Broner (25-0, 21KOS) ?There?s a serious buzz about ?The Problem? nowadays and he certainly deserves it. In 2012 he defeated top?tier fighters Eloy Perez, Antonio Demarco and Vicente Escobedo via stoppage. Look for him to get a marquee matchup for 2013 and move up higher in these rankings.
10.) Vitali KLitschko (45-2, 41KOS)- Dr Ironfist continued his iron hold over the WBC heavyweight championship, defeated the erratic Derek Chisora via decision, and knocking out the unheralded Manuel Charr in 4 rounds.
URCC 8. It?s that time of the year once again for a beating, and by beating I am not referring to the Sinulog kind.
Dubbed as ?Survival? and to be held at a new venue (J Center Mall), Cary ?The Prince? Bullos once again takes center stage as he squares off against Hedio ?Death from Tokyo? Morikawa this coming Saturday.
Cary looked relaxed and confident at the press conference yesterday, but refused to commit to any pre-fight prediction.
Vaughn Donaire though, minced no words when he confidently announced he was going for a 1st round stoppage via submission against Allan Atup in the undercard.
See you at the venue guys. I?ll be the one wearing a bib.
LAST ROUND. It?s on Elijah Bolongan Tero who celebrates his birthday this week. Cheers!
