 |
 |
Here it is, the top twenty pound for pound list according to Boxingtalk publisher G. Leon. There's been a ton of movement since our last update. Who's in? Who's out? Read on and see for yourself. Last Update: November 19, 2011
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The pound for pound Picasso returns to the spot that he held until Manny Pacquiao forcefully took it by fighting one hall of famer after the other. This marks the second time that best boxer in the world receives my top spot by default. If you recall correctly, Mayweather only became everyone's number one pound for pounder after Roy Jones Jr lost to Antonio Tarver and Bernard Hopkins lost to Jermain Taylor. Now Mayweather returns home after spending the last few years of his boxing career making every fight except the one that really mattered. Look for Mayweather to face Robert Guerrero next. Expect whoever Golden Boy Promotions makes passable between now and then to become Mayweather's next opponent should he defeat Guerrero. | | |
|
|
| And still the best Mexican fighter in the world! Following his loss to Mayweather, Marquez quickly regained control of the lightweight division. His third fight with Manny Pacquiao proved that he was still an elite fighter of the highest order and his one punch knockout of Manny Pacquiao on December 8 gave him the signature victory of his career. As a boxing fan, it made me sick to my stomach to watch Marquez completely destroy the Mayweather-Pacquiao megafight. But the greatness of Marquez is undeniable and the future first ballot hall of famer deserves all of the accolades that will follow such a statement making victory. | | |
|
|
| What can I say about Nonito Donaire that his performances fail to articulate? The kid is a beast with ridiculous reflexes, he fights relaxed and he can punch like a mule. Donaire is the clear cut favorite to capture fighter of the year honors due to his high level of activity. Hopefully a Guillermo Riggeondeaux fight materializes in 2013. | | |
|
|
| The man who hasn't lost a fight since he was 12 years old boy has become an elite professional prizefighter. The nature in which Ward has dominated Kessler, Allan Green, Arthur Abraham, Sakio Bika, Carl Froch and Chad Dawson leads me to believe that he will soon hold the #1 spot on this list. | | |
|
|
| Simply Maravilla. What more can be said about the best Latino fighter in the world? Martinez was easily dismantling Julio Cesar Chavez Jr over eleven rounds, before going through a serious scare in the final frame. Martinez is now looking to defend his titles on April 27 in Argentina. Other than Sampson Lewkowicz and Lou DiBella, who wouldn't love to see him face Gennady Golovkin? | | | NEXT: | HBO APRIL 27 VS TBA |
|
|
|
| Man was it tough to watch one of the most exciting fighters of all time go out like that. The fighter of the decade is already a first ballot hall of famer and most people believe he genuinely put his best foot forward to give us the fight we wanted. Unfortunately neither Pacquiao, nor anyone else could force Floyd Mayweather Jr to fight him. He doesn't need to fight again, but he probably will. One would expect a fifth fight with Marquez to be in the cards. Even if Pacquiao were to defeat Marquez via an equally brutal knockout, the Mayweather fight will never be the same. | | |
|
|
| As controversial as his win over Manny Pacquiao was, Timothy Bradley is still one of the very best boxers in the world. A supremely conditioned athlete, who can clearly take a good punch, Bradley will continue to shine. He currently does not have a fight scheduled and that's a sad commentary. | | |
|
|
| Wladimir Klitschko has established himself as the best heavyweight in the world. And since we're never going to see him and his brother mix it up, the Brothers Klitschko will likely remain firm fixtures on this list until they retire. | | |
|
|
| Putting a heavyweight on a pound for pound list is something I usually shy away from, but Vitali Klitschko cannot be denied. He made Sam Peter, a man many thought capable of dethroning the Klitschko's, quit on his stool, dominated Chulupa Arreola and undefeated American Kevin Johnson. Vitali also provided Lennox Lewis with the toughest fight of his career in boxing's last great heavyweight title clash. | | |
|
|
| Why is he on the list? Let's take a look at his resume. Wins over Jean Pascal, Jermain Taylor, Andre Dirrell, Arthur Abraham, Glen Johnson and a razor thin loss to Mikkel Kessler that most feel he won. Lost to Ward in the Super Six finals only to bounce back by destroying Lucian Bute and Yusaf Mack. Froch's next fight might be a Bute rematch, but I'm sure most would rather see him Mikkel Kessler again. | | |
|
|
| John should have probably been on this list years before he made his debut, but class shows over time. He's clearly an elite level fighter who has proven that he can beat the best outside of his backyard. Holds a very strong win over Juan Manuel Marquez, and contrary to some reports, I've seen the fight and John deserved the win. | | |
|
|
| Abner Mares is one of the most exciting young fighters in the world. He always comes to fight, he has a ton of heart and very few boxers have faced a stiffer level of opposition as of late. Is building a bit of a reputation for being a dirty fighter, but as long as his fights are exciting and drama filled let's enjoy the show until he gets DQ'd. | | |
|
|
| Austin Trout showed us why most boxing experts were surprised Miguel Cotto chose to fight him over a rematch with Manny Pacquaio. Trout easily outboxed Cotto handing him his first loss in Madison Square Garden. Trout's victory was so decisive that it's difficult to see Canelo Alvarez in his near future. In either case Trout's big win earns him a slot on my list and more importantly, his first seven figure payday. | | |
|
|
| The closest thing to Pernell Whitaker we've all seen since the American boxing master hung them up. Anselmo exploded onto the American scene with his domination over former undisputed 115 lb champ Vic Darchinyan. Followed up that victory with another impressive performance on Showtime. Moreno moved up in weight and dropped a unanimous decision to Abner Mares, but is still the king of the bantamweights. | | |
|
|
| Talk about an animal! This kid is a dog and a must see pressure fighter that leaves it all in the ring. Now that he's moved up in weight there are a plethora of potential great fights including, Danny Garcia, Lamont Peterson, Lucas Matthysse and even Adrien Broner. Unfortunately the Golden Boy-Top Rank feud makes all of them unlikely. | | |
|
|
| Pulled off a major upset when he brutally stopped Amir Khan. Garcia's punching power has been heralded for some time and he's been showing us why. It was sad to see him end the career of future hall of famer Erik Morales, but the sky is the limit for this Philadelphian. His defense needs work, but you're in trouble if he hits you. | | |
|
|
| Rebounded well from first defeat to easily handle Adrian Diaconu, which set him up for a major title fight against Jean Pascal conqueror Bernard Hopkins. Dawson defeated Hopkins in a rematch after their first bout ended in a no contest. Inexplicably moved down in weight to challenge Andre Ward in Oakland, but is still the light heavyweight champion of the world. | | |
|
|
| A two division champion at 23 years old, Adrien Broner deserves his nickname because he's going to be a problem for anybody he faces for many years to come. Is improving with every fight and has shown superior speed and defensive skills. Will likely be a welterweight by the time all is said and done. | | |
|
|
| Many believe Golovkin to be the biggest threat to middleweight king Sergio Martinez. You could consider me one of the many. Golovkin has carved up everybody he's faced thus far and will next defend his title on January 19 at Madison Square Garden. | | |
|
|
| Brian Viloria has flown under the radar long enough. Has been fighting championship fights for the better part of a decade, is now a four time world champion and his win over Giovanni Segura makes it difficult to argue that he does not deserve to be mentioned amongst the best. | | |
|
