Tuesday, January 08, 2008 Quijano: Pound for pound By Jingo Quijano Last Round
LET'S begin 2008 by examining our pound-for-pound rankings. That way, as the year progresses, we can keep track of who maintained his lofty ranking and who lost his footing along the way.
Bear in mind a pound for pound list is very subjective, so your list is as good as mine:
1.FLOYD MAYWEATHER JR (39-0, 25 KOs). Victories over Oscar dela Hoya and Ricky Hatton made Floyd the popular choice for 2007 fighter of the year. At the beginning of last year, he was also numero uno on the Last Round’s list and has managed to keep his standing up to now. If indeed he retires this year, it would be great to go out on top.
2. MANNY PACQUIAO (45-3, 35 KOs) The Pacman keeps his number two slot with a kayo victory over Jorge Solis and a repeat win over Barrera. But he needs to get more quality fights this year if he is to survive the onslaught of several rising pound-for-pound upstarts breathing down his neck. Beating Juan Manuel Maquez in March would be a blazing start.
3. JOE CALZAGHE (44-0, 32 KOs) When you’ve got that many fights, and remain undefeated after 15 years in the business, you damn well deserve a spot in these rankings. Earlier in his career, this talented Welshman was criticized for not having fought any A-list fighters, but recent victories over Jeff Lacy and Mikkel Kessler have silenced his doubters.
4. MIGUEL COTTO (31-0, 25 KOs) He has managed to keep his record immaculate despite moving up to welterweight this year. Not only that, his victims Zab Judah and Shane Mosely were also pound-for-pounders at some point in their careers. Resident top guy Floyd Mayweather Jr. better not rest on his laurels if a match with this Puerto Rican sensation pushes through in 2008.
5. BERNARD HOPKINS (48-4, 32 KOs). The “Executioner” briefly held the top spot in these rankings after he beat fellow pound for pound resident Winky Wright in May. He has fought sparingly in recent years (with only one fight each for 2006 and 2007) but his upcoming fight with Joe Calzaghe should reveal what’s left of this 42-year-old’s flagging legs.
6. KELLY PAVLIK (32-0, 29 KOs) The buzz started after his impressive kayo of Haitian banger Lenord Pierre. He continued riding that wave to three more knockout victories which culminated in an upset win over then undefeated middleweight champion Jermain Taylor. To date, he is on an impressive nine consecutive knockout streak.
7. JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ (48-3, 35 KOs) Call him unexciting and boring, but he gets the job done with clinical precision. Despite a very impressive ring resume, “Dinamita” has not earned the prominence he so rightfully deserves.
But he remains undaunted. The March rematch with Pacquaio will finally give him his long awaited chance at redemption and recognition;
8. WINKY WRIGHT (51-4, 25 KOs) You don’t lose your pound for pound ranking after a unanimous loss decision to Bernard Hopkins. The Winkster is still one of the most talented boxers around and so far, only Hopkins has convincingly defeated this crafty southpaw.
9. JUAN DIAZ (33-0, 17 KOs) The “Baby Bull” has gored every opponent they placed in front of him. 2007 was no exception as he upped his level of competition with two TKO victories over Brazilian power Acelino Freitas and IBF lightweight champion Julio Diaz. He’s also very exciting to watch-frequently unloading six to eight punch combos at a frenetic pace--and that’s why I’m bullish about this undefeated bull.
10. RICKY HATTON (43-1, 31 KOs) Sure, he got beaten by Floyd Jr. from pillar to post. But then again, so has everybody the “Pretty Boy” has faced. He still deserves his spot at these rankings with impressive wins over the likes of Jose Luis Castillo, Luis Collazo and Kostya Tszyu.
THE LAST ROUND. It’s on Last Rounder Ben Bornia, author of “100 Days to Train a Boxer” published in Canada in 2003. Cheers!
