02.10.05 – Compiled by Chris Ireland
Pound For Pound – 1. Floyd Mayweather – He’s young, he’s undefeated, and he’s now blowing his opponents out. The problem? He needs to fight better fighters. Henry Bruseles, DeMarcus Corley, and Arturo Gatti, though respectable, aren’t the kind of fighters you’d expect the top pound-for-pound fighter in his sport to take on a regular bases..
2. Winky Wright – Wright has had quite a coming out party. After being ignored for years and being robbed against Fernando Vargas, Wright has now defeated Shane Mosley twice, and Felix Trinidad without too much resistance. Now it looks like Wright will take on either Ike Quartey, Felix Sturm, or Kingsley Ikeke.
3. Marco Antonio Barrera – With fights against Erik Morales and Manny Pacquaio possibly on the horizon, Barrera is patiently waiting for an opening while taking on the likes of Robbie Peden and Mzonke Fana. When Morales and Pacquaio are done with each other, rest assured that Barrera will want the winner.
4. Antonio Tarver – Tarver became a pound for pound elite last year with the 2nd round knockout of Roy Jones. He followed that up with a loss to Glenn Johnson in December. “The Magic Man,” re-established his high pound-for-pound status by defeating Johnson and Jones by decision.
5. Diego Corrales – Corrales won perhaps the greatest fight of all time against Jose Luis Castillo in May. Their rematch promises to be memorable as well on October 8th. Corrales’ competition gets him to number five, defeating the likes of Joel Casamayor, Acelino Frietas, and Jose Luis Castillo in his last three fights.
6. Jose Luis Castillo – It’s hard to fathom how a fighter’s standing in pound-for-pound lists can improve after a loss, but Corrales-Castillo wasn’t your typical fight. Jose was seconds away from stopping Corrales a few months ago, and now gets his second chance Saturday. Castillo has fought the best competition available, and you’ll seldom find a tougher fighter.
7. Ricky Hatton – Ricky Hatton did what a challenger is supposed to do. He TOOK the title from Kostya Tszyu, forcing the former champ into a grueling war for eleven rounds before finally quitting on his stool before the final frame. Hatton is now set to take on Carlos Maussa, fresh off an upset victory over Vivian Harris.
8. Zab Judah – “Super” looked more focused and determined than he had in years when he took on Cory Spinks in a welterweight title rematch earlier this year. That focus paid off, as Judah took the title by knocking Spinks out in the ninth round. Zab is now wanting Floyd Mayweather in the ring.
9. Jermain Taylor – Though he didn’t exactly do it smoothly or even that skillfully, Jermain Taylor ended Bernard Hopkins’ streak of title defenses at 20. The Olympian ran out of gas late, and was nearly knocked out by the champion in the championship rounds. But Taylor remained upright, fought back, and came out the victor. Nobody has given Hopkins that much trouble in years.
10. Bernard Hopkins – Make no mistake, “The Executioner” is not a shot fighter. What is apparent, however, is the fact that the former champ is slowing down. After starting slow against Oscar De La Hoya, Hopkins won a ho-hum decision against Howard Eastman. In July, he started so slow against Jermain Taylor that it cost him the fight. Now he gets a shot at redemption in December.
Others: Erik Morales, Manny Pacquiao, Juan Manuel Marquez
Heavyweight – 1. Vitali Klitschko – After months of what appeared to be ducking of Hasim Rahman, “Dr. Ironfist” will finally step into the ring against “The Rock,” November 12th at the Thomas and Mack center.
2. Lamon Brewster – Brewster’s first round knockout of Andrew Golota earlier this year made a bigger statement this year for Brewster this year than any made by Chris Byrd or John Ruiz. After a solid win against Luan Krasiniqi in Germany, Brewster deserves a shot at another champion in the U.S.
3. Chris Byrd – Though many think Byrd permanently belongs in the number 2 slot on the heavyweight list until he is beaten, according to my scorecard the IBF champ is 1-3 in his last four fights. The lone victory coming against Davarryl Williamson to kick off October, in one of the worst heavyweight title fights EVER. Byrd needs to re-solidify his standing as a heavyweight champion…..fast.
4. John Ruiz – Let’s face it, it’s not a good thing when the most entertaining thing that happens when you fight is when your corner man cusses out the referee. This, however, is the typical situation at a John Ruiz fight. For now, however, fans won’t have to worry about “The Quiet Man” hug his way to victory yet again, since Ruiz still has nothing scheduled for the rest of the year. Don King might as well pair John up with another champ, since he’ll be hard pressed to make money with Ruiz any other way.
5. James Toney – After testing positive for steroids earlier this year against John Ruiz, Toney chose not to make a strong statement by taking on a tough opponent in his comeback bout. Instead, he took on the habitually uninspired Domminick Guinn on October 1st. Toney’s easy victory didn’t prove much.
6. Hasim Rahman – Rahman worked his way back into title contention to take on Monte Barrett in an interim title fight a few months ago. “The Rock” disappointed, winning a dull decision. Now he finally gets a crack at Vitali, November 12th.
7. Calvin Brock – Continues to stay busy against mediocre competition while hoping for a shot at a title. A November fight with David Bostice is next for Brock in Charlotte, North Carolina.
8. Wladimir Klitschko – Klitschko continues to fold like a Ukranian lawn chair every time he gets hit cleanly, but showed plenty of heart, skill, and ability against Samuel Peter last month to pull off the win and rejuvenate his career.
9. Samuel Peter – It’s hard to believe Peter didn’t lose hardly any ground in the world rankings after a loss, but the bottom half of the heavyweight top ten is truly a mess. Peter displayed thunderous punching power and an iron chin against Wlad Klitschko a few weeks ago, but needs to work on the polish of his game and stamina issues.
10. Jameel McCline – “Big Time” was within a few punches of dethroning what appears to now be a fading Chris Byrd last year, then followed that up with a tough loss to up-and-comer Calvin Brock earlier this year. McCline now wants to stay busy and work his way back into title contention, taking on the likes of Steve Pannell and Zuri Lawrence.
Others: Davarryl Williamson, Monte Barrett, Nicolai Valuev