Boxing Pound for Pound Rankings

Boxing's Top 10 Pound for Pound Rankings to start 2009

2008 was one of the best years in recent boxing history and the top 10 pound for pound list as a result looks much different today than it did a year ago. The best fighters have continued to prove themselves as exceptional while others have suffered setbacks and new prospects and rising champions have emerged. Also check out the latest boxing pound for pound rankings updated in June 2009!

1. Manny Pacquiao – Manny Pacquiao is continuing to conquer higher and higher weight classes, culminating in his destruction of Oscar De La Hoya at welterweight. This is after only having had one fight above 130 pounds in his career, his recent lightweight title winning effort against David Diaz. While many feel that Juan Manuel Marquez bested Pacquiao in their second meeting, his recent accomplishments and the way he gets them done move him to the top of the list.
2. Joe Calzaghe – If Calzaghe beat the fighters – Roy Jones Jr. and Bernard Hopkins – he beat in 2003 instead of in 2008, not only would he be the number one pound for pound fighter in the sport he would also go down as one of the best fighters in the history of the game. Alas, Calzaghe was late to take these challenges, although his wins do still deserve high accolades, particularly his decision over Hopkins. Still undefeated and a champion for over a decade, Calzaghe is contemplating just a few more large fights before retirement.
3. Juan Manuel Marquez – Marquez unfortunately did not get the decision he deserved against rival Manny Pacquiao. He did however follow him up to lightweight where he captured the linear title by knocking out Joel Casamayor. A classic counter puncher, Marquez has made himself more aggressive in order to secure larger fights and bigger paydays. A fight with young Juan Diaz will provide a stern challenge for the smaller and older Marquez.
4. Bernard Hopkins – Hopkins turned back the clock by dismantling middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik for the entire length of their bout, in a fight in which he was the underdog. While that was a stellar performance, his showing against Calzaghe left something to be desired. Although, the effort of Joe Calzaghe probably had something to do with that.
5. Israel Vazquez – Vazquez has been resting for most of 2008 after finishing his trilogy with Rafael Marquez with a win for the ages. His performance in the 12 th round of that fight, where on sheer will he pummeled Marquez around the ring, makes Vazquez an all-time great warrior. Super bantamweight is a talented division and so more tough challenges await.
6. Rafael Marquez – Although he lost the trilogy to Vazquez, he only increased his standings in the sport. The smaller man, he was achingly close to winning both the second and the third matches before Vazquez's larger punches and enormous heart provided him an outlet for victory.
7. Paul Williams – Paul Williams has been unable to secure a large fight at welterweight, so in classic pound for pound fashion he has taken his act n the road, up to both the junior middleweight and middleweight classes. After suffering a shocking loss to Carlos Quintana, Williams seems to be more focused and more dedicated to landing hard, meaningful punches.
8. Chad Dawson– Dawson survived a tough test against Glen Johnson and completely outclassed Antonio Tarver. Both of which effectively paved the way for the next generation of light heavyweight stars to take their place. While two still remain in Calzaghe and Hopkins, neither are likely to fight Dawson. He has proven to be one of the best offensive fighters in the game, with a wide array of punches, great speed and good power.
9. Antonio Margarito – His win over Miguel Cotto was dominant and entertaining, but the welterweight champion cannot be recognized as the best man in his own division. That's because he lost his encounter with Paul Williams and has not yet accepted a rematch with him. Margarito can not move up in standing significantly without fighting and beating Paul Williams.
10. Miguel Cotto – Cotto fought the perfect fight against Margarito, he just could not sustain it for the full length of the bout. The two division champion is building back up for a rematch with Margarito, however, he might be better served fighting other welterweight titleholders and contenders beforehand. He would always have a hard time beating Margarito, since Margarito has shown able to stand up to every punch in Cotto's arsenal and keep on coming forward, while Cotto eventually caved from the pressure of Margarito's attack.

> Check out all of the great boxing news articles including our Margarito v Mosley preview online at Pro Fighting Fans!

Who missed the cut? - Arthur Abraham, Ivan Calderon, Vic Darchinyan, Ricky Hatton, David Haye, Wladimir Klitschko, Juan Manuel Lopez, Shane Mosley, Kelly Pavlik

By Jake Emen
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer & Director of Boxing Content

Check out all of the fighter rankings online at ProFighting-fans.com!