This is a subject that is often discussed and one that every man will have an opinion on. But WHO truly is the best pound-for-pound fighter on the planet?
Now that Floyd ‘Pretty Boy’ Mayweather has decided to re-enter the ring, will he be the man to top the list? Or is it Manny Pacquiao - the man who crushed Ricky Hatton's dreams in Las Vegas?
The Pacman has rightfully taken the crown after his impressive performances against the Golden Boy and Hatton and is now a four-weight world champion. His performances against the two Mexican legends, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morlaes, proved his durability and will to win.
On his coat-tails is the returning ‘Money’ Mayweather, a slick counter-puncher who has never been on the canvas and will be looking to set up a super fight with Pacquiao to reclaim his crown.
With some of the finest boxers of the recent era – Joe Calzaghe and Oscar De La Hoya – retiring, it has left the door open for a new generation of pugilists. There are certainly plenty of fighters out there who have the skills and records to put their names forward as true contenders for the crown.
The welterweight division alone is full of some of the classiest fighters who have the ability to combine speed and power. Boasting such legendary fighters as Shane Mosley, Pacquiao and Mayweather.
The young contenders also have some real talent. Miguel Cotto has lost just one fight, the Puerto Rican combining quick hands and raw power, while Andre Berto has yet to lose with 19 KOs in his 25 bouts earning him the nickname of 'Mini Tyson'.
Ruling the roost over the lightweight division has been the Mexican “numero uno”, Juan Manuel Marquez. The gritty fighter has fought his way up through the ranks from featherweight to light-welterweight for his upcoming fight against Mayweather. Having beaten the likes of Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz, he can certainly lay claim to being one of the best around.
There are some other classy contenders. Chris John has dominated the featherweight division, winning 42 of his 44 contests in dominant fashion. In the middleweight division, the legendary Ronald ‘Winky’ Wright has started to decline and the man looking to take on his legacy is fellow American Paul Williams.
The man nicknamed 'The Punisher' beat Wright in a one-sided contest, cementing his reputation as one of the best.
In the light-flyweight division, one man has a perfect record. Ivan Calderon has won all 32 contests with his lightning-quick speed and pure desire defending his WBO title successfully 14 times.
The heavyweight and cruiserweight divisions are missing a truly world-class fighter but we have to mention the amazing record of ‘The Executioner’. Bernard Hopkins may have lost to Calzaghe but managed to inflict a defeat on the great young American hope, Kelly Pavlik. Hopkins has beaten the likes of Wright, Antonio Tarver, De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad .
In the super-middleweight division we also find two very talented boxers who soon could clash to decide who is the No.1 of the division. Dane Mikkel Kessler has just one loss to his name while England’s Carl Froch made a stunning recovery to beat Jermain Taylor by knocking the American out in the final seconds of their bout.
The Cobra is certainly a man to look out for but the dominance of Kessler just puts him ahead of the young fighter from Nottingham.
There will always be a lot of debate but here are my Top 10 pound-for-pound boxers currently plying their trade:
1. Manny Pacquiao
2. Floyd Mayweather
3. Juan Manuel Marquez
4. Chris John
5. Miguel Cotto
6. Paul Williams
7. Bernard Hopkins
8. Mikkel Kessler
9. Andre Berto
10. Ivan Calderon
Source: sportingo.com
Sunday, June 21, 2009
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