By Samuel Roy Junior: The Pound-for-Pound list. It’s one of the topics in boxing that causes some debates of the highest order, and in this writers experience, no two websites/peoples own lists have ever been exactly the same. Recent additions to one of the most viewed P4P lists however, has caused concern.
The Ring magazine, as far as I am aware, is a highly respected magazine/website/organization. In this article I’d like to firstly look at each official placing of the fighters in The Ring Magazine’s Pound-for-Pound list, what their notable achievements are, and then my own view on what I think the P4P list should be.
Like I always say, this is only a matter of opinion so my list is open for criticism, and it’d be nice to see lists from other people to see how well they match up. Right, so without further ado, here we have the official Ring Magazine Pound-for-Pound list:
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Andre Ward
Juan Manuel Marquez
Wladimir Klitschko
Abner Mares
Adrien Broner
Sergio Martinez
Manny Pacquiao
Timothy Bradley
Saul Alvarez
Now, after looking at this list, I think I can pick out several problems. The good news is the first two positions I believe are rightly deserved, although Andre Ward is treading on thinner ice than usual due to his amount of injuries in recent months/last couple of years. There’s no doubt he’s a special fighter however, as there is a known speculation within the boxing community that Ward rarely lost as an amateur, let alone keeping an unblemished record as a professional so far. He just needs to recover quickly and fight some big names at middleweight (either let them come up to super-middle, or cut down to middleweight) to keep that no.2 position more solid.
There’s really no one else for Ward to fight at super middleweight now so he needs to look in the division below where there is still some decent talent. So, apart from those that are obviously out there to attack Mayweather for any reason whatsoever, he is P4P no.1 on almost everyone’s list, that’s definitely the one fighter that doesnt seem to fluxuate as much as any of the others. Back to numbers 3-10.
Juan Manuel Marquez. Back at number 3 there, after a great 6th round knockout of once ‘top of the throne’ Manny Pacquiao. Marquez deserved that result. He’d been cheated in the eyes of some, if not most, in at least 2 of the previous 3 fights he and Pac-Man engaged in, but does he deserve no.3? Some say yes, some say no. I’m going to say yes in this case. Marquez is a great, great fighter, one of the best counter-punchers of our time. Prior to his most recent victory, he had a loss, although I think a disputed one, something that happened on more than one occasion as most people know, and it was against at the time one of the top 3 pound-for-pounders, which he is now one of.
So, so far the first 3 on the list have been the same, and your all probably wondering where this is all going. Fear not, for now I feel we’ve ran into a problem here at number 4. The heavyweight Wladimir Klitschko, is it just because he is a heavyweight with all but one belt? I believe that is the reason. For me, he hasn’t faced any good quality opposition that could really push him to the limit, so he hasn’t really had a choice. But that isn’t an excuse in my eyes. Until he has a legitimately testing fight, against GOOD opposition that pushes him at least out of 2nd gear, and wins, Wladimir sadly gets pushed to one side for me. Don’t get me wrong, he’s a gentleman of the sport and a true sportsman at that, but he needs to be properly tested, something I unfortunately don’t see happening before he retires unless someone comes out of the blue in the next year or two (count out Wilder, he’s only fought tomato cans which is why he’s 28-0 with 28KOs). Number 4 for me goes to Lucas Matthysse. A lot people may contest this, as he’s never been on the P4P list before, but his most recent victories have been impressive and the general view has been that he’s an avoided fighter. He’s notably beaten former 130-pound and lightweight beltholder Humberto Soto, and the mandatory challenger for the WBC light welterweight title at the time, Ajose Olusegun, in ten rounds in convincing fashion. Couple this with extremely questionable losses in the past 2 years to both Devon Alexander and Zab Judah, and for me you have a legitimate top 5 pound for pounder here. Again, something that could change if Peterson were to ever get rid of him early, but I doubt that will happen.
Now, number 5. Abner Mares. Again slightly higher than some may think, and I think those ‘some’ are just about right. Not enough big names have been beaten by this man, but he is an accomplished fighter, 3 weight division champion and wins over Vic Darchinyan, Anselmo Moreno, Eric Morel, Joseph Agbeko twice, and Daniel Ponce De Leon is an impressive list for fighter in the lower weights, so he only drops one place for me. Number 5 goes to Sergio Martinez in my book. Yes, his last fight was more than a little shaky, and a lot of people consider that he shouldn’t have been gifted the decision, but nevertheless it was a home crowd and it wasn’t as if Murray completely dominated. He still put up a good fight. Chavez Jr also caused him major trouble in round 12 of the bout prior to Murray but apart from that he dominated that fight, and when knocked down rose like a true champion and held on.
Now number 6 on The Ring’s P4P list. here’s my BIGGEST problem. Adrien Broner is the 6th best fighter in the world? Crazy. Apart from Ponce De Leon, and maybe Antonio Demarco, Broner hasn’t really faced the best opposition available to him like his persona leads himself to believe. Malignaggi is right, he HAS been lying to himself, because even when he has faced just about half decent opposition, he’s either been at a good weight advantage and paid the fine to his opponent, or he’s seemingly made excuses as to why he’s skipped the 140lbs division, where he knows full well he’d be properly tested. I’d like to see Broner take on ALL the good fighters at 140lbs before he carried on giving out such a brash persona to the media, boxing community and everyone else, because he isnt a PPV star, he’s not Mayweather like he so obviously wants to be, and none of his ‘band camp’ members laugh at his terrible, terrible jokes. Im sorry, but Broner really rubs me up the wrong way, and the only way I’d think different of him is if he convincingly beat the top guys at 140lbs, as I wouldn’t even mind his attitude then because he’s backed up his talk. My number 6: Bernard Hopkins. Considering his age, he is still winning, he is still fighting some of the top guys and still beating the young lions, i’ll get blasted for it, but Hopkins goes in at my number 6.
Time for number 7. Although The Ring has this position occupied by Sergio Martinez, I’ve already stated his achievements and I believe that if he overcomes the recent injuries that have become more frequent, he could stay at number 5 in my list for maybe a couple more years. Number 7 for me goes to Manny. Although he’s took two recent losses, albeit the most recent in devastating fashion, there’s no doubting what the Pac-Man has achieved. Ten time world champion in 8 weight divisions is an achievement, a very admirable one, and even though many of his fights have been at catchweights, he has surprised many of the boxing public on a number of occasions. If he beats Brandon Rios later on this year, it will solidify this position and maybe even move him up a place. He’s been losing, but hopefully he’ll work his way back near the top of the list before he retires.
Number 8 is taken by Manny Pacquiao according to The Ring, and as I’ve placed him one higher and stated his achievements, again I’ll jump straight in by saying my number 8. Timothy Bradley. Wins over Pacquiao himself (a disputed decision by many although not a runaway win from Pac-Man), Luis Abregu, Devon Alexander, Joel Casamayor, and Lamont Peterson are notable wins that I believe should place Timothy Bradley at number 8. A win over Juan Manuel Marquez later on this year again should place him into the top 5, something Bradley himself is adamant he’s worked extremely hard for. Should be a good fight nonetheless and may the best man win.
In a continuing trend, I’ve placed a fighter one position higher than what The Ring has, so with my number 8 being Bradley, my number 9 has got to be Guillermo Rigondeaux. The way he dominated once top 10 P4P listed Nonito Donaire was nothing short of brilliant if a little boring to some, but sometimes you have to learn to appreciate boxing in ALL of its forms. The lower weights do not get recognised as much, but still, for someone who is now just 12-0 to be beating a top pound-for-pounder at the time and doing it in such dominating fashion, coupling it with wins over fighters like Teon Kennedy, Roberto Marroquin and Rico Ramos, you appreciate how good a talent Rigondeaux is, especially seeing as he’s already won 3 major titles. Next up is Abner Mares though, and although Mares is placed at my number 5, I’ve a feeling with the way Rigondeaux beat Donaire, he could climb to that spot or just below it with a decisive win.
Lastly in The Ring top ten is Saul Alvarez. Now, for me, like Broner, Alvarez is a little too over-hyped considering the level of opponents he’s recently fought. This might rub some up the wrong way considering he’s being touted as a possible opponent for Mayweather come September, but I really think that would be a huge mistake for Saul. He’s fought class C fighters at best up until he fought Trout in his most recent fight, and in that fight he was pretty tested. Golden Boy need to carry on matching him up with some at least half decent opponents that aren’t always smaller than he is come fight night, so he has at least some genuine legitimacy coming into the Mayweather fight when it happens. That’s right, when. Anyway, my number 10 goes to Nonito Donaire. I know I’ve placed his most recent opponent above him, someone who’s not had as many fights, who’s not fought the opposition Donaire has, but frankly it’s out of the question. For someone in the lower weight classes, Rigondeaux for me could dominate almost everyone up to 126lbs. Thats how good he looked to me against Donaire, so I’ll stand by his position. Still, Donaires achievements can’t be overlooked either, which is why he goes in at my number 10. Fernando Montiel was beaten in devastating fashion, as was the much taller and lankier Mathebula. Vazquez Jr and the former four division world champion Jorge Arce are two other big notable names on Donaires resume, which is why his previous Ring Magazine ranking of no.5 could probably be justified at the time.
So, there we have it. This is my top ten pound for pound list in full view:
Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Andre Ward
Juan Manuel Marquez
Lucas Matthysse
Abner Mares
Bernard Hopkins
Manny Pacquiao
Timothy Bradley
Guillermo Rigondeaux
Nonito Donaire
Now like I say, this list only a matter of opinion, and how I’ve viewed the boxing goings on of the last few years. There could very well be a few changes I need to make, and there is no doubt going to be high criticism for some of my picks, but it’s merely an opinion. Some people are only in place on the official list because of governing bodies and I’ve simply given my own take. If people could drop their own opinions in the comments section below, and give me feedback on what is only my 3rd ever written article, that would be great.
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