ward7777 (Photo credit: Tom Hogan – Hoganphotos/Roc Nation Sports) By Gav Duthie: Floyd Mayweather Jnr has stated he is quite content to match Rocky Marciano’s record of 49-0. At present he has no desire to go for number 50 so as a result we need to consider him a retired fighter. How long before someone tops this record and is there someone in the current crop of active fighters that could do it.

A brief history

In the interest of accuracy it should be pointed out that this 49-0 isn’t quite a record as such. There are quite a few fighters who retired undefeated like Jimmy Barry 59-0-9 (39) (when draws/no contests were common) and even more recently Ricardo ‘El Finito’ Lopez 51-0-1 (38). The likes of Julio Cesar Chavez was 89-0 before he lost a fight to Frankie Randall and even an average champion like Yuri Boy Campos was 56-0 before being stopped by Felix ‘Tito’ Trinidad. In fairness to Floyd if you discount draws and look simply at perfect records he and Marciano stand tallest at 49-0.

10. Andre Ward 29-0 (15), 31

Would be higher than #10 but age and inactivity is against him. I don’t feel he will finish near the 50 fight mark and if he moves up to the light heavyweight division he risks his undefeated record against the likes of Adonis Stevenson, Artur Beterbiev and Sergey Kovalev.

9. Keith Thurman 26-0 (22), 26

Would also be higher but for a surprisingly poor performance against Luis Collazo. Thurman has time on his side and packs a solid punch but in a division with Shawn Porter (Who Thurman fights next), Manny Pacquiao, Kell Brook, Tim Bradley, Amir Khan and Errol Spence Jnr it will be difficult for anyone to remain undefeated.

8. Danny Garcia 31-0 (18), 27

Arguably lost to Mauricio Herrera and Lamont Peterson. Even struggled to a win early in his career over Ashley Theophane. Despite that he always seems to get the win and there’s no reason why this can’t continue. He has just moved up into the welterweight division and a rematch with Amir Khan seems the most likely.

7. Gennady Golovkin 33-0 (30), 33

At age 33 its a big ask but the powerful GGG fights up to 4 times a year and he hasn’t even looked close to losing yet. Next up is David Lemeiux who will test his chin. If he gets through this there are only a few solid tests at middleweight left Cotto, Canelo, Lee, Quillin and Saunders. If he gets through 2 or 3 of those he will likely move to 168lbs where things will become more difficult.

6. Deontay Wilder 35-0 (34), 29

The ‘Bronze Bomber’ continues to win but his level of opposition can’t continue at this rate. He wants Klitschko next year and that could be the end of his undefeated reign. There is talk of Bryant Jennings next which will be interesting and mandatory challenger Alexander Povetkin would also fancy his chances of talking that 0.

5. Kell Brook 35-0 (24), 29

The same applies to Kell as it does any other welterweight. Its a tough division and he is only higher than Thurman and Garcia because he has already fought more times. It will be interesting over the next few years to see who does come out on top post Mayweather. Like Deontay Wilder the welterweight from Sheffield needs to step up his level of opposition after he fights Diego Chaves.

4. Mikey Garcia 34-0 (28), 27

One of the best fighters in the sport today but its almost been 18 months since we last seen him in the ring. Promotional issues have curtailed his progress. When he returns he will likely fight in the lightweight division. He looks hard to beat but he needs fights.

3. Terrence Crawford 26-0 (18), 28

Future #1 p4p in my opinion and could easily remain undefeated his entire career. He fights Dierry Jean next who’s only defeat at present was to Lamont Peterson. Crawford will need to fight more if he wants to get to 50. He is in a very good division at present with potential opponents such as Lamont Peterson, Adrien Broner, Lucas Matthyse and Viktor Postol. If he can stay on top he will likely move up in division and has even mentioned facing Golovkin in the future (three divisions above him now).

2. Cesar Cuenca 48-0 (2), 34

Pretty much an unknown fighter and his record is very padded to fights exclusive to Argentina. Nevertheless he gets the #2 spot proving how feeble this record is. The quick handed southpaw is the IBF light-welterweight champion and defends his title against Russian brawler Eduard Troyanovski next month. This win would make him 49-0 despite only two knockout victories.

1. Roman Gonzalez 43-0 (37), 28

The greatest lower weight fighter since Ricardo Lopez. Gonzalez faces Brian Viloria next. I think the Nicaraguan could overtake Mayweather and Lopez. He is already the new p4p number one for me and the only boxer so far that has even came close to beating him is Juan Franciso Estrada. There is talk of a rematch and a super-fight against Naoya Inoue. If he beats those guys I can’t see him ever losing.