Pound for Pound
Pound for Pound List - May 2011
1.) Floyd Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs) - A 16-month layoff did not diminish the super tuned defensive skills of Mr. Mayweather who dismantled Victor Ortiz for the WBC welterweight title this past September. The knockout win with little effort substantiated Mayweather’s claims as the best prizefighter in the world at any weight. His efforts to coerce Pacquiao into a May 5, mega-fight have seemingly fallen on deaf ears. Mayweather, 34, is looking for an alternative opponent before he serves jail time in June for an assault conviction.
2.) Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs) – Though his boxing skills have improved Pacquiao, 33, had a rough time winning by controversial majority decision in November against Juan Manuel Marquez. The same man that Mayweather beat almost every round when they faced each other two years ago gave Pacquiao fits. Numerous surveys found that more than 70 percent of those polled saw Marquez as the winner against Pacquiao. That sub par performance slides him down a notch on this list. But don’t count him out.
3.) Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KOs) – A loss to Chad Dawson this past October was overturned by the California State Athletic Commission and ruled a No Contest because of a throw down that injured his shoulder. The 47-year-old Hopkins keeps the light heavyweight world championship and is looking for new conquests. Hopkins has admitted he may have one fight left in his legendary career. Who will it be against?
4.) Juan Manuel Marquez (53-6-1, 39 KOs) – Many experts felt Marquez had a slim chance to defeat Pacquiao this past November. Instead, those same experts claimed Marquez was the true winner of that fight that saw the Mexican lightweight move up in weight and perform his ring wizardry with amazing aplomb. Marquez, 38, showed he’s one of the very few master boxers remaining today and has plenty left in his tank.
5.) Timothy Bradley (28-0, 12 KOs) – The Palm Springs “Desert Storm” could easily be the next super star of prizefighting. All he needs is an opportunity to show it against Mayweather or Pacquiao and that could be very soon. Bradley signed with Top Rank and decimated former pound for pound entry Joel Casamayor. The Inland area prizefighter has captured the attention of the fight world with his speed, power and intelligence. All he needs is a big name opponent to topple. That could come this year.
6.) Sergio Martinez (48-2-2, 27 KOs) – Of all the members of this list Martinez probably has the least recognition factor. Soon to turn 37, the left-handed Argentine middleweight known as “Maravilla” has not fought the more well-known fighters and has suffered from it. Martinez needs to fight one or two middleweights or super middleweights like Sergio Mora or Lucian Bute who boxing fans recognize to gain the fame and glory that goes with victory. Time is running out.
7.) Robert Guerrero (29-1-1, 18 KOs) – The Northern California fighter known as “The Ghost” has been mentioned as a possible opponent for Mayweather next Cinco de Mayo. If Pacquiao doesn’t take the bait to fight Mayweather, then the next viable opponent is Guerrero. The southpaw boxer-puncher has captured world titles as a featherweight, junior lightweight and at interim lightweight. Guerrero, 28, has all of the tools to give anyone problems including athleticism that you just can’t teach.
8.) Nonito Donaire (27-1, 18 KOs) – The “Filipino Flash” hasn’t been seriously challenged since 2009 when he beat Rafael Concepcion by decision. Very few prizefighters can compete with Donaire’s blend of speed and concussive power. He’s captured world titles as a flyweight, junior bantamweight and bantamweight. Now Donaire, 29, is gunning toward a junior featherweight world title against former champion Wilfredo Vazquez Jr. on Feb. 4 in Texas. Expect another world title notch on his growing resume.
9.) Andre Ward (25-0, 13 KOs) – After defeating Carl Froch decisively last December the Oakland-based speedster finally showed the world his impressive fighting skills. The culmination of the Super Six Super Middleweight tournament saw Ward emerge not only as the best 168-pound prizefighter, but the possible future of boxing. Ward, 27, has extraordinary boxing skills and could possibly move up to light heavyweight if he desires. He seems to get better with every fight.
10.) Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KOs) – The heavyweight known as “Dr. Steelhammer” finally makes the list though there’s still many questions such as who is better? Big brother Vitali or Wladimir? The brothers Klitschko will never fight each other but it’s my opinion that the younger brother has shown more boxing skills in the past three years. Klitschko, 35, defends the WBA, WBO and IBF titles against Jean Marc Mormeck in March. Then a possible showdown with Riverside’s Chris Arreola is in the works.
11.) Amir Khan (26-2, 18 KOs) – Few prizefighters above 130 pounds are faster than “King Khan” who lost in December in a very controversial match submarined by a poor referee. With speed galore Khan drops down a few notches only because of the loss to Lamont Peterson. But he has the ability to rebound all the way to the top with a win over Floyd Mayweather if it transpires.
12.) Paul Williams (40-2, 27 KOs) – Many are eager to place “The Punisher” on the has-been list but with only two losses in 42 fights that’s a ridiculous assessment. Williams still has the tools to rule the junior middleweight division or middleweight division. He just should not fight any more southpaws. Absolutely not.
Honorable mention:
Vitali Klitschko, Lucian Bute, Abner Mares, Chad Dawson, and Miguel Cotto.
