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Ralph Rimpell’s boxing
“Pound for Pound” List
By: Ralph B. Rimpell
July 16, 2006 |
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(JULY 16) Before I begin this
article, I would first like to take time out to thank Ms. Sue Fox for
the opportunity to write for Hotboxingnews.com and WBAN. You readers of
this website will find my fight coverage accurate, articles interesting,
and my interviews unique. For a long time I have stayed in the
background and let other boxing writers debate who the best “pound for
pound” fighters in the world are. The time has come for me to state who
I truly believe are the best fighters in the world.
1. Ronald “Winky” Wright (50-3-1, 25 KO’s) is the best fighter “pound
for pound” in the world. This man is arguably undefeated. Those who
truly follow the fight game know that the blemishes on this fighter’s
record have all been controversial. Who has really beaten this fighter
thus far? Wright shut out Trinidad when the two fought back in 2005.
Trinidad, a great fighter, didn’t win one round on my scorecard. Even
Bernard Hopkins and Oscar De la Hoya weren’t able to do that to
Trinidad. Recently, Wright fought middleweight champion
Jermain Taylor to a
controversial draw. Wright clearly out boxed Taylor for most of the
fight. I scored the fight 8 rounds to 4 rounds in favor of Wright.
Unless someone convincingly beats or knocks out Wright, he remains at
the number one spot on this list.
2. Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (47-4-1, 32KO’s) says he is
retired, but that remains to be seen since there are rumors he will
fight again. He is the current recognized World Light Heavyweight
champion since dethroning Antonio Tarver. Hopkins is 40 years old and is
still fighting on the elite level. Hopkins was middleweight champion for
10 years. His two fights with Jermain Taylor were very close. Some
boxing writers had Hopkins winning both those fights even tough he lost
his undisputed middleweight title by not officially getting both
decisions. Hopkins will be remembered as one of the top five
middleweights of all time. Hopkins made a record 20 title defenses
surpassing Marvin Hagler’s record of 12 defenses and Carlos Monzon’s
record of 14 defenses. Until he truly retires or loses convincingly, he
stays number two on this list.
3. Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (42-3-2, 33 KO’s) has fought the best
fighters in and around his division. Who would’ve thought he would have
destroyed Marco Antonio Barrera the way he did in 2003? He put the very
capable Juan Manuel Marquez on his butt three times in the first round
of their fight in 2004, only to walk away with a controversial draw. He
defeated Erik Morales by knockout in 2006, who had never been stopped.
Earlier this month he soundly defeated the still very dangerous Oscar
Larios. Pacquiao is willing to fight the best in the division, who are
in their prime. He does not pick the safe fights.
4. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (36-0-0,26 KO’s) Most boxing writers still have
Mayweather as “pound for pound” number one the best fighter in the world
based on his boxing resume. Mayweather has won world titles in four
divisions (Jr. Lightweight, lightweight, Jr. Welterweight, and
welterweight). He defeated the best fighters in spectacular fashion at
Jr. Lightweight and lightweight. Fighters such Genaro Hernandez, Diego
Corrales, Jesus Chavez, Jose Luis Castillo twice (in my opinion once).
Floyd will be remembered as a great fighter when he retires. Being
recognized as “pound for pound” the best fighter in the world is a title
that has to be maintained. Winning fights and staying undefeated is part
of the job description. Another aspect is defeating the best available
fighters. WBO welterweight champion Antonio“Tony” Margarito (33-4-0,
24KO’s) is the best available fighter for Mayweather to fight. He is the
longest reigning champion in that division. Margarito is willing to face
all comers. Floyd refused a reported 8 million dollar offer to fight
Margarito, citing Margarito had not faced any quality opposition.
Ludicrous! If that’s the case, take 8 million dollars from the HBO
network and a large percentage of the ppv sales, beat up Margarito, and
shut the mouths of those who are calling you “Fraud Mayweather”.
5. Oscar De La Hoya (38-4-0, 30 KO’s) has won world titles at six
different weight classes since winning a gold medal at the 1992
Olympics. At the age of 33 he showed he can still fight on the elite
level with his destruction of Ricardo Mayorga last May after an 18 month
lay off. He says will fight a farewell fight in 2007. Let’s hope it’s
against the winner of Mayweather-Margarito.
6. Joe Calzaghe (41-0-0, KO’s) is the man to beat in the 168lb division.
Won the WBO super middleweight title back in 1997. Has beaten the best
the division has had to offer since then. Boxing experts picked the hard
hitting, but amateurish IBF champ Jeff Lacy to defeat Calzaghe back in
March. Calzaghe brilliantly outboxed Lacy and almost knocked him out in
the 12th round of their title unification match. Calzaghe moves up this
list if he can defeat a Winky Wright, or Bernard Hopkins.
7. Shane Mosley (43-4-0, 37 KO’s) is a lock for the boxing hall of fame.
Mosley has won world titles in three weight divisions. In the process he
defeated the “Golden Boy” of boxing twice. Mosley’s two losses to Winky
Wright should not take away from his legacy, because no one has truly,
in my opinion, beaten Wright. His two back to back loses to Vernon
Forrest raised suspicion that he may have been overrated. Now with two
consecutive wins over Fernando Vargas, Mosley cracks the “pound for
pound” list again to silence this boxing critic for now. Congratulations
on your recent victory Shane.
8. Diego Corrales (40-3-0, 33 KO’s) is a man on a mission. A skilled
boxer, but is willing to stand in his opponents face and slug it out.
Corrales-Castillo I was voted the fight of the year for 2005. After
suffering two knockdowns in the 10th round to Castillo, Corrales came
from behind and knocked out Castillo in the 11th round. Five months
later, and over the 135lbs weight limit Castillo knocked out Corrales in
4th round of their rematch. The rubber match was scheduled, but was
wisely cancelled when Castillo did not make weight for the second time.
Look for Corrales to unify the lightweight division before he goes in
search of Mayweather for revenge at the higher weights.
9. O’Neil Bell (26-1-1, 24 KO’s) is one tough SOB. Showed he belongs on
this list by beating the very durable Jean Marc Mormeck and becoming the
second undisputed cruiserweight champion in the history of the division.
With all due respect, he is an overachiever with a lot of heart that
believes in himself. Bell is currently in negotiations to fight former
heavyweight champion Chris Byrd. Let’s hope that fight happens because
it will be interesting.
10. Antonio Margarito (33-4-0-1 NC, 24 KO’s) is the most feared man in
the welterweight division. Has held the WBO welterweight title for three
years. Zab Judah, Oscar Dela Hoya, Shane Mosley, Floyd Mayweather all
don’t want to fight this man. He is one tough SOB who throws “punches in
bunches”. He annihilated foes like Kermit Cintron and Hercules Kyvelos.
Margarito is willing to fight anyone who will step into the ring with
him. Promoter Bob Arum believes in this fighter so much he put 8 million
dollars on the table to entice Mayweather to fight him. Mayweather has
declined thus far. Given the opportunity, Margarito will prove himself
against any of the aforementioned fighters.
Contact Ralph Rimpell at
Rluvsboxing@aol.com |
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