27.10.05 – Compiled by Aaron King
1. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (140)
What else can be said? He’s the best thing going and has another chance to shine coming up on Nov. 19 against Sharmba Mitchell.
2. Winky Wright (160)
His domination of Felix Trinidad once and for all uncovered Wright’s true tactical genius (if his wins over Shane Mosley weren’t already enough). He’s set to meet Sam Soliman on Dec. 10..
3. Marco Antonio Barrera (130)
Recently unified the IBF and WBC 130-pound titles with victory over Robbie Peden. Barrera’s looking for big money fights and one may be looming ahead with lightweight titleholder Jesus Chavez.
4. Jermain Taylor (160)
Rematch with Hopkins should do some clearing up on the their first bout. In the meantime, no one can take away that he beat the former middleweight kingpin and deserves a lofty perch in the pound-for-pound rankings.
5. Bernard Hopkins (160)
Could find himself back in the top 2 with a win over Taylor in rematch.
6. Ricky Hatton (140)
Absolute destruction of Kostya Tszyu has skyrocketed the Brit near the edge of absolute superstardom.
7. Zab Judah (147)
Has had a fantastic year, beating Cory Spinks to claim the undisputed welterweight title, then backing it up with a third round TKO of Cosme Rivera.
8. Jose Luis Castillo (135)
Knock-out victory over Diego Corrales in their rematch gives him the nod over Corrales. Undoubtedly, a rubber match is on the way.
9. Juan Manuel Marquez (126)
Marquez has been placed in a bit of a pickle with the recent political jockeying, and now, is left without a big fight anywhere on the horizon.
10. Manny Pacquiao (130)
His dominance over Barrera made notice to all that he was a great fighter. Since then, he has taken on the best at his weight (Marquez, Erik Morales) and has been in some close bouts, and he has another big one this Jan. in a rematch with Morales.
Next in line (in alphabetical order): Diego Corrales, Vitali Klitschko, Antonio Margarito, Rafael Marquez, Erik Morales, Antonio Tarver