I'm going to start posting my rankings once every couple of months or so. Due to their retirements, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Joe Calzaghe were left off. I also left off Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez because of extensive inactivity.
5. Bernard Hopkins
B-Hop added another chapter to his Hall of Fame legacy last October with his dominant beatdown of Kelly Pavlik. Some P4P rankings have since placed Hopkins as high as #2. Despite the clinic Hopkins put on that night, he didn't impress me enough against Joe Calzaghe to deserve any higher placement.
What's next?
The only match that Hopkins appeared passionate about was a rematch with Calzaghe. After Calzaghe retired, Hopkins was left with little else to choose from in the light heavyweight division. It looks like Hopkins will either retire or move up in weight to fight cruiserweight champion, Tomasz Adamek.
4. Paul Williams- On sheer talent alone, Williams might be higher than #4. However, since just about every big name has chosen to duck the "Most Feared Man in Boxing", Williams is lacking the big victories that warrant a higher spot. Nobody wants to face a talented 6'2'' southpaw who can comfortably bounce between three weight classes (welterweight, junior middleweight, and middleweight). Antonio Margarito decided that he'd rather get annihilated by Shane Mosley for less money than fight Williams.
What's next?
Williams has finally gotten somebody of note to step into the ring with him, as he'll be taking on Winky Wright, April 11th on HBO. A win is necessary for Williams if he hopes to force big names into the ring with him. If he does win, I'd like to see a showdown with Mosley at 147 or 154.
3. Shane Mosley- Mosley's exceptional performance over Antonio Margarito reminded boxing fans that this guy can still really fight. Mosley was throwing bombs all night, hitting flush shots left and right, and eventually knocking out a man who many thought to be indestructible. In some ways, his performance might have been TOO GOOD, as it definitely didn't help make Floyd Mayweather that interested about getting into the ring with him.
What's next?
Mosley hoped to lure Floyd Mayweather out of retirement for a big money fight, but Pretty Boy Floyd chose to remain chillin. Mosley will wait to see if he can get the winner of Hatton-Pacquiao, though I think that both fighters are too small for him. If it's not Hatton or Pacquaio, he has numerous options at welterweight to look into. (Berto, Clottey, Cotto, Williams)
2. Juan Manuel Marquez- Following last Saturday's spectacular KO victory (Fight of the Year so far) over Juan Diaz, there's an argument that can be made that Juan Manuel Marquez is the #1 Pound for Pound fighter in the world. Since moving up to lightwight, Marquez has handily defeated two strong opponents, between Diaz and Joel Casamoyer. Compared to his rival Manny Pacquiao--whose ascension in weight classes involved a completely overmatched David Diaz at lightweight, and a washed-up, dehydrated Oscar De La Hoya at welterweight--Marquez's victories may have been more impressive. In their head to head battles, Marquez scored a draw and a narrow loss in two close fights against Pacquiao, fights that many people scored in Marquez's favor. (I scored both fights to Pacman by slight margins.) If you believe Marquez won either fight, you have every right to believe Marquez is the #1 fighter on earth right now.
What's next?
Marquez called out Mayweather following the win over Diaz. Though it'd be an excellent fight, I don't see it happening. If Mayweather does return, it'll be to fight the winner of Hatton-Pacquiao. Marquez should look for a mega-fight against the loser of that match.
1. Manny Pacquiao- Pacquiao all but sent Oscar De La Hoya into retirement with his domination of the Golden Boy last December. The victory confirmed Pacquiao's stature as the best fighter alive. He may have even reached that De La Hoya/Mayweather rock star "Big Money Fights Only" status with that performance--much to the dismay of Juan Manuel Marquez, who would love nothing more than a third crack at Manny.
What's next?
Pacquiao is gearing up for a May 2nd battle with Ricky Hatton. A victory over Hatton, who has never lost at 140 pounds, will be enough to solidify his status atop the P4P list. The lure of a P4P King battle against Money Mayweather awaits him if he is victorious. If Mayweather turns down the fight, Manny will likely fight Mosley or Miguel Cotto. If Manny loses to Hatton, a third fight with Marquez makes the most sense.
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