The Boxing Pound for Pound List in 5 Years

by Jorge Alarcon-Swaby:

1. Amir Khan
Won 25 (KO 17) + Lost 1 (KO 1)
Khan won a silver medal in the 2004 Olympics when he was only 17 years old. It’s not surprising how far he has come since then. Seeing Khan in the Pound for Pound list in 5 years is very likely. At only 24 years old he has wins over Paulie Malignaggi, Marco Antonio Barrera, Marcos Maidana and Zab Judah and is currently the WBA and IBF light welterweight champion. The only two fighters who might be capable of beating Khan are Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. The chance of him actually fighting either guy is very unlikely. Floyd only fights once every two years or so and Pacquiao is like family to Khan. Khan has the advantage of training and sparring with the current Pound for Pound number 1 Manny Pacquiao. Freddie Roach who is considered the best trainer in the world today, trains them both. It seems that everything is falling into place for Khan to be King in 5 years time.

3. Guillermo Rigondeaux
Won 8 (KO 6) + Lost 0 (KO 0)
Rigondeaux is a two time Olympic Gold Medalist with an amateur record of W247-L4. He turned pro two years ago. Even though he only has 8 fights under his belt, he already holds the WBA Interim Super Bantamweight. His lack of number of fights stems from difficulties dealing with promoters, managers, and opponents unwilling to fight him. He is now in line to fight for the WBA World Super Bantamweight title, which will most likely result in him holding two belts with only 9 fights. Most experts and trainers agree that talent of his caliber hasn’t been seen in recent times. It comes as no surprise that he has more than enough potential to be near the top of the Pound for Pound list in 5 years.

2. Nonito Donaire
Won 26 (KO 18) + Lost 1 (KO 0)
Donaire has becomes a star in the last two years. He has earned the respect of hardcore boxing fans with his impressive wins over opponents such as Darchenyan and Montiel. He has an old school attitude and way of fighting that is the perfect combination that has led him to become the WBC and WBO Bantamweight Champion. To add to Donaire’s success and popularity is the acceptance of the Filipino boxing community. Which are slowly but surely getting used to the idea of Donaire becoming the new superstar of boxing once Manny Pacquiao decides to hang up the gloves.

4. Andre Ward
Won 24 (KO 13) + Lost 0 (KO 0)
Ward has been consistent in his fights since his Gold Medal performance in the 2000 Olympics. He has since become the WBA World Super Middleweight champion. He has continued to fight the best and whoever is presented in front of him. He has been the only one not to lose in the Super Six tournament. At 27 years old, he has very impressive and one-sided victories over Edison Miranda, Mikkel Kessler, Allen Green and Arthur Abraham. In 5 years he is truly one of the most secured fighters likely to be near the top of the Pound for Pound list.

5. Yuriorkis Gamboa
Won 20 (KO 16) + Lost 0 (KO 0)
Yuriorkis Gamboa keeps impressing the boxing world with each of his fights. His explosive fights are reminiscent of Tyson which many people have compared him in terms of aggressiveness, power and quickness. He has already accumulated wins over Jose Rojas, Rogers Mtagwa, Orlando Salido and Jorge Solis. Gamboa is already the Unified IBF and WBA Featherweight champion and is looking to add a couple of more belts and big names to his resume in the new couple of years.