POUND FOR POUND CRITERIA
- Recent body of work
- Level of opposition
- Margin of victory in relation to the opposition faced
- Consistency and or body of work over long period
- Eyeball test
FLOYD STILL ON TOP UNTIL HE GETS BEAT!
#1-FLOYD MAYWEATHER (44-0, 26 KOs)
Floyd Mayweather
His record speaks for itself,and his level of opposition is top notch. At the end of the day he just continues to put W’s in the win column. Not always the most exciting fighter to watch, but until someone solves the puzzle he will continue to dominate fights. The object of boxing is not to take punishment but to dish it out. He exemplifies that notion in abundance.
#2-ANDRE WARD (26-0, 14 KOs)(168lbs)
Inactivity almost made me drop him from the list entirely, especially considering he doesn’t have an opponent scheduled. Dominance over top level foes earns the undisputed 168lb champion the spot as one of the top prizefighters. Stopped Chad Dawson (31-1, 17 KOs) in ten rounds in September 2012. Unfortunately that was the last time he entered the squared circle.
#3-JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ (55-6-1, 40 KOs)(147lbs)
Most significant victory of his career was his last fight over Manny Pacquaio(54-5-2, 38 KOs) (KO 6). Along with that win he has compiled a solid body of work that includes titles at 126, 130, 135, and 140lbs. His longevity in the sport cannot be ignored. Faces Tim Bradley (30-0, 12 KOs) in October for a shot at the WBO 147lb crown.
CUBAN DEFECTOR MAKES TOP FIVE
#4-GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX (12-0, 8 KOs)(122lbs)
One of the best amateurs in history, a two time Olympic Gold medal winner, the Cuban decisively defeated Filipino star Nonito Donaire (31-2, 22 KOs) (UD12) in April. The fight was considered a toss up by some experts and Donaire was favored as high as 3-1 in sports books. Rigondeaux displayed a plethora of skills in outboxing the Filipino. He wound up unifying the WBO and WBA junior featherweight titles with the victory. The WBA belt he earned in his 9th pro bout stopping then undefeated Rico Ramos (21-2, 11 KOs).
#5-CARL FROCH (31-2, 22 KOs) (168lbs)
Has compiled the toughest schedule in boxing in the last few years. Only losses were to Andre Ward and Mikkel Kessler (46-3, 35 KOs), avenging the defeat to Kessler by unanimous decision in his last outing. Scored impressive wins over two undefeated Canadians; Jean Pascal (27-2-1, 16 KOs) (UD 12) and Lucian Bute (31-1, 24 KOs)(TKO 5).
MARTINEZ AND BRADLEY SLIPPING, BUT STILL IN THE MIX
#6-SERGIO MARTINEZ (51-2-2, 28 KOs)(160lbs)
This elite talent appears to be on the downslide. Maybe it’s age or nagging injuries, but hasn’t lost a fight since losing to Paul Williams (41-2, 27 KOs) by a controversial decision in 2009. Notched six defenses of the linear middleweight crown. Dangerous punching machine Gennady Golovkin (27-0, 24 KOs) is breathing right down his neck and may be the best middleweight. Can’t crown him yet until Martinez loses the title. It’s not if though, its when?
#7-TIM BRADLEY (30-0, 12 KOs)(147lbs)
The third welterweight to make this list. Faces a major test in Marquez, but age should be a factor. The Mexican is 40, Bradley being ten years his junior. Had a tough outing in his last bout versus hard charging Russian, Ruslan Provodnikov (22-2, 15 KOs). Bradley got off the deck in the 12th round to win a close and somewhat controversial decision. Also got a close and unexpected nod over Manny Pacquaio in 2012. His record otherwise is impressive, unifying titles at 140lbs, beating a who’s who of the top junior welterweights at the time including current IBF welterweight champion Devon Alexander (25-1, 14 KOs), handing him his first defeat.
#8-LUCAS MATTHYSSE (34-2, 32 KOs)(140lbs)
Arguably boxings hardest puncher who earned the distinction by knocking down every opponent he’s faced. Only two losses are questionable ones in his foes backyards, one split decision to Alexander and another loss to Zab Judah(42-8, 29 KOs). Faces a true litmus test in a potential fight of the year against 140lb champion Danny Garcia (26-0, 16 KOs).
MEXICAN VETERAN CRACKS TOP TEN BY CRACKING ABNER MARES WITH LEFT HOOK!
#9-JHONNY GONZALEZ (55-8, 47 KOS) (126lbs)
One of boxings best punchers has faced the best fighters campaigning in the lower weights. Was a massive underdog August 24th against highly regarded boxer-slugger and WBC featherweight king Abner Mares (26-1-1, 14 KOs). Surprised those in attendance as well as Mares with a perfect left hook. Mares rose from the knockdown, but at that point the bout was essentially over. Another barrage led to the stoppage in round one. Has had numerous setbacks, but has posted some impressive victories in the last few years including this one. A truly dangerous fighter with power, boxing skills and one of the best trainers in the business, Hall of Famer Nacho Beristain.
#10-SAUL ALVARAEZ (42-0-1, 30 KOs) (154lbs)
While many may not agree, Alvarez has built a pretty solid record thus far in his career. The 23 year old Mexican star can become a phenomenon if he somehow can figure out how to beat Floyd Mayweather on September 14th. If he somehow can make the fight competitive (something I don’t believe he can accomplish) that alone would put a feather in his cap. Has improved immensly as a fighter as proven in his decision win over southpaw Austin Trout (26-1, 14 KOs). Appears to be an almost complete package at this point; good power, quick hands, good combination puncher, and improved head movement and defense. Biggest flaw is lack of footspeed, something that will be a major disadvantage fighting someone as fast and clever as Mayweather.
-Kevin Perry