Bob Arum & Manny Pacquiao
1. MANNY PACQUIAO– The most popular fighter in the sport today, and arguably it’s largest earner and biggest draw. In a recent Yahoo poll Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs) was 2010’s most searched for athlete in the world. His popularity worldwide is astronomical, and the year had him fighting twice at Cowboy Stadium and being featured on CBS’ 60 minutes.
2. SERGIO MARTINEZ-Not only has Martinez (46-2-2, 25 KOs) defied the odds by pulling off one of the most memorable KO’s in the last 20 years with his disposing of Paul Williams in the second round, he did it with a head movement and one left hand. Most importantly the odds were stacked against him. Although the champion, against tradition he was introduced first, agreed to a catchweight of 158 and received a smaller purse than the challenger, and yet he still was able to proclaim, “I have arrived.” He is almost a shoe-in for winning Fighter of the Year honors, as well as Knockout of the Year.
3. FLOYD MAYWEATHER– Even though he fought only once in 2010, he grossed better than $25 million for that near shutout of Shane Mosley. Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs), who has a number of legal battles that he is currently dealing with is in addition being accused of ducking Manny Pacquiao. I tend not to believe that is the case. When you can make over $25 million to fight a 38 year-old Shane Mosley what’s the real incentive to split money with Pacquiao. Economically Mayweather doesn’t need Pacquiao. Yes Floyd’s legacy might take a hit, but “Money” doesn’t seem all that concerned about that aspect of his career and feels he has nothing else left to prove.
4. Al HEYMON-The advisor to a number of prominent prizefighters, “Big Al“ is also the man that holds the most outside influence over HBO’s decision making when it comes to boxing. He manages Paul Williams, Andre Berto, Daniel Jacobs and Floyd Mayweather among others. Andre Berto and Paul Williams receive hefty seven figure purses when fighting on the network and are given reserved dates, yet neither guy has a fan base worth a *hit! Can’t blame the guy, he’s just doing his job if HBO is willing pay huge amounts of money for garbage “showcase” fights. No need to hate, at the end of the day this is business and people will only get away with what HBO allows.
5. THE KLITSCHKO BROTHERS (Vilati and Wladimir) The Ukranian brothers, who hold three of the four world sanctioning body heavyweight belts, possess lucrative TV contracts in Germany, do outstanding ratings, and draw in the tens of thousands when they fight on German soil. Unfortunately they don’t draw on TV in the US, but are household names in their adopted homeland. Until they retire (or if miraculously they fight one another) they have a a definitive stronghold on the division. Not the most exciting to watch, but you can’t argue with their effectiveness in the ring.
6. LUCIAN BUTE– IBF super middleweight (168) champion- The main reason that Bute (27-0, 22 KOs) is on the list is because he is, besides Pacquiao, the most bonafide ticket seller in North America. He regularly sells out venues in his adopted home of Montreal and the transplanted Romanian is an entertaining fighter to watch. His only drawback is that he’s been sitting on the sidelines while his counterparts at 168 compete in Showtime’s Super Six World Boxing Classic. Having signed a multi-fight deal with Showtime he is expected to fight the winner of that tournament.
7. BOB ARUM– Top Rank CEO -As arrogant as the guy appears to be you have to give him credit even for doing his job. He promoted two events at Cowboy Stadium and one at Yankee stadium in 2010, a step in the right direction as far as bringing boxing back to non-casino venues. Golden Boy Promotions could learn a thing or two from Top Rank, because despite what Oscar De La Hoya says his promotional outfit has done very little to change the sport and it’s direction into the future.
8. JERRY JONES–Owner of Dallas Cowboys & Cowboy Stadium
You must give JJ the credit for taking the gamble and introducing live boxing to the stadium for the first time in 2010. Jones was initially looking to land the proposed mega bout between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. That never materialized but instead he got two huge events Pacquaio-Joshua Clottey and then versus Antonio Margarito and turned them into profitable appetizers.
9. ANDRE WARD– World/WBA super middleweight champion and 2004 Olympc Gold Medalist- It’s ironic that none of the African American fighters (Al Heyman) featured on HBO this year can’t draw flies. With the exception of the Thanksgiving Day weekend showing against Sakio Bika, Ward (23-0, 13 KOs) who is part of the aforementioned Super Six, can sell tickets. The aggressive style Ward presents isn’t always pretty but it is successful in that he boasts an undefeated record with dominant wins this year over Bika, Mikkel Kessler and Allan Green. As I mentioned, a bout with IBF guy Lucian Bute looms of he can win the tournament. A win over the dangerous Canadian could elevate the Oakland resident to superstardom.
10. JEAN PASCAL–WBC 175 lb. champion
Pascal (26-1, 16 KOs) much like Lucien Bute, has become quite a ticket seller as well in his adopted Montreal. Pascal outboxed and outfought supposedly slick southpaw and then-top light heay at the time Chad Dawson (29-1, 17 KOs). Pascal can really make a name for himself on the world stage if he can dominate a 45 year-old Bernard Hopkins December 18 in a sold out Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City, an arena that sold out within 24 hours of the tickets going on sale. The Haitian’s flamboyant style, reminiscent of a prime Roy Jones, makes good fights because he’s is willing to mix it at times with his opponents.
Kevin “KP” Perry