Writer's Note: 'The Following is For Entertainment Purposes Only ’
By Alphonso Costello
Boxing’s pound-for-pound champion is a mythological concept much like the NCAA college football national championship. Pound-for-pound is a term used to describe the world’s best fighters regardless of weight. Just like the college football national championship, the media selects the pound-for-pound king.
I have compiled the definitive top-ten pound-for-pound list by using a comprehensive blend of complex mathematical formulas, computer generated ratings and human judgment.
Results updated through Nov.26
1. Antonio Margarito (33-4, 24 KO’s)
WBO Welterweight Champion
Margarito holds down the top spot despite Floyd Mayweather Junior’s world championship win because Top Rank said so.
2. Bobby “The Ball Buster” Pacquiao (27-12-3, 12 KO’s)
Super Featherweight
Even with his disqualification loss to Hector Velazquez, Pacquiao is still on pace to fight in the BCS championship.
3. Emanuel Augustus (33-27-6, 18 KO’s)
Junior Welterweight
Floyd Mayweather’s toughest opponent slips down a spot due to inactivity. The best 27- loss fighter is now the most ducked 140-pounder in the world. Demetrius Hopkins side stepped Augustus and cost the 31-year-old a decent HBO payday. Besides, isn’t Boxing After Dark a showcase for exciting young stars?
4. Sergio Mora (19-0, 4 KO’s)
Middleweight
This guy is a real contender compared to the new winner.
5. Zahir Raheem (27-2, 16 KO’s)
Lightweight
Raheem’s new battle cry is “give me liberty or give me death.” Top Rank will probably give him the latter, thus avoiding another Golden Boy Promotions signing.
6. Kim Jong-il
North Korean Leader
President Bush has ducked Jong for over five years. Instead the ‘leader of the free world’ opted to fight a lesser opponent in an undeserving rematch. With a newly acquired nuclear arsenal, Jong is now the ‘Baddest Man on the Planet.’ The 65-year-old cognac fiend is so volatile, James Toney’s temper pales in comparison.
7. Nate Campbell (29-5-1, 24 KO’s)
Lightweight
8. O’Neil
Undisputed Cruiserweight Champion
If he’s good enough to be BoxRec’s #3 ranked pound-for-pound fighter, he’s good enough to be on this list too.
9. Grady Brewer (22-11, 12 KO’s)
Season Two ‘Contender’ Champion
With that record he could have won the 2006 National League Cy Young Award.
10. Laila Ali (23-0, 20 KO’S)
WBC & IBA Women’s Super Middleweight Champion
If you thought her legendary father had the “greatest” résumé of all-time, just take a look at hers.
MISSING THE CUT:
Floyd Mayweather Jr. (37-0, 24 KO’s)
World Welterweight Champion
Mayweather’s hit-and-run style was more than enough to win the welterweight title, but his saturated computer ranking cost him a top-ten spot. He gets no credit whatsoever for defeating Argentinean legend “El Mano de Dios” Diego Madonna. Also, Mayweather’s ‘one and I’m done’ comment came as a shock. Does he fear Margarito that much?
Juan Diaz (31-0, 15 KO’s)
WBA Lightweight Champion
The “Baby Bull” is taking the Pongsaklek Wonjongkam route by defending his lightweight title against diluted and undeserving challengers.
Paul Williams (32-0, 24 KO’s)
Welterweight
Mandatory challenger to Margarito’s WBO title. Is Williams the most avoided #1 challenger in boxing? Perhaps. But just think how good this 6’1” southpaw would be if he fought as a lightweight.
Diego Corrales (40-4, 33 KO’s)
Somewhere between 140 and 155 pounds
How tall is Corrales?
Chris Arreola (18-0, 16 KO’s)
Heavyweight
King Kong ain’t got nothing on this 25-year-old prospect. He defeated