Fight Insight

Fighters are ranked based on their overall boxing ability and skills; quality of opposition; record in major fights, and ability to move up/down divisions successfully. The list ranks the top ten fighters, pound for pound, each month.

1. Floyd Mayweather, 39-0 (25)
With his latest career-defining performance, an entertaining 10th round stoppage of previously-unbeaten Ricky Hitman Hatton (wins over a prime (late) Diego Corrales and a past-prime Oscar De La Hoya being the others), Mayweather further cemented his claim as the #1 boxer in the world. A victory against Miguel Cotto would be icing on the cake to a career that may establish Mayweather as the best fighter of his generation.

2. Manny Pacquiao, 45-3-2 (35)
Now that the Pac-Man has beaten Juan Manuel Marquez in another fight of the year candidate, he has his eyes set on a lightwight titlist.  If he beats the winner of Casamayor-Katsidis or Nate Campbell later this year, he will supplant Mayweather as number one on my list.

3. Joe Calzaghe, 45-0 (32)
After defeating fellow future Hall of Famer Bernard Hopkins, expect Joe Calazghe to meet and defeat past-prime Roy Jones, Jr. in the fall.  It’s a fight that is taking place about seven or eight years too late. Better late than never? Not!

4. Israel Vazquez, 43-4, (32)
Why is he here? Check out Vazquez Edges Marquez in Instant Classic, Part Three to find out why.

5. Bernard Hopkins, 49-5-1 (32)
I predicted that the hour glass would run out on his legendary career when he faced Joe Calzaghe, and it did. However, losing a close decision to a younger, future Hall of Famer is nothing to scoff at.  I hope I am this physically-able at 43 years of age.

6. Juan Manuel Marquez, 48-4-1 (35)

7. Kelly Pavlik, 33-0 (29)

8. Winky Wright, 51-4-1 (25)

9. Miguel Cotto, 32-0 (26)

10. David Haye, 21-1 (20)