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Ralph Rimpell’s boxing “Pound for Pound” List II
By: Ralph B. Rimpell
October 15, 2007
Over a year ago I started writing for Hot Boxing News (WBAN). My first article was a controversial “Pound for Pound” list on who I thought the best fighters in the world of boxing were at the time. Well, over a year later I still haven’t changed and the list for this year’s “Pound for Pound’ fighters is still controversial. While I respect my fellow boxing writers, on whom they view are the best fighters in the world today, I am still going against the grain, because I believe they are wrong.
1. Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (44-3-2, 35 KO’s) is the best fighter in the world today. He has beaten the best fighters in and around his division. This fighter ducks no one. He may not be as skilled as Mayweather, but he will take the dangerous fights and win in devastating fashion which is what being “ Pound for Pound” is all about. He gave a voluntary rematch to a determined Barrera. Pacquiao did not repeat his performance against Barrera by knocking him out, but he did retire him. The week of the fight, two prominent boxing personalities, Bob Arum and De La Hoya, finally suggested what I said over a year ago, which was Pacquio ought to ranked over Floyd Mayweather. As long as he remains focused the boxing world is his to rule. It’s too bad he is not in the 147lb pound division.
2. Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KO’s) recently defeated Winky Wright. This former undisputed middleweight champion of the world is currently the recognized World light heavyweight champion, by Ring Magazine. He is 41 years old and has not lost a step. There is talk of him fighting supermiddleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, if Calzaghe defeats Kessler in unification super fight this November. A win over Calzaghe could move Hopkins to the number one spot if Pacquiao were to lose his next fight. Look for Hopkins to fight the winner of the Trinidad-Jones fight.
3. Ronald “Winky” Wright (50-4-1, 25 KO’s) recently lost a close decision to Hopkins. Wright moved up two weight class to challenge for Hopkins’s Lightheavyweight crown. The fight could have also been scored for Wright, but most thought Hopkins narrowly one. Prior to fighting Hopkins, A fight against current middleweight champion, Jermain Taylor, was scored a controversial draw. This was a fight Wright, in my opinion, won. Should Wright decide to go back to the middleweight division he could easily win a middleweight title. The only fighter who has a chance of truly defeating Wright is the newly crowned recognized middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik.
4. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (38-0, 24 KO’s) is number one on every other boxing writers pound for pound list. Why? He beat the best fighters in the 130 pound division. He escaped with a controversial decision against Castillo at 135lbs and won the rematch very unimpressively. He beat good fighters at 140lbs and 147lbs. He recently defeated De La Hoya in non-spectacular fashion and sports an undefeated record. He is a guaranteed hall of famer when he retires. No doubt about it, he is a great fighter. So this is why he should be “Pound for Pound’? Not exactly. “Pound for Pound” recognition is defeating the best fighters in the world in spectacular fashion on a consistent basis. Ricky Hatton is a “grade A” opponent, but he is the best at 140lbs and the recognized champion. Mayweather is the recognized welterweight champion (147lbs). If Mayweather wants to be ranked number one on this list he must defeat Paul Williams, Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto. Do the readers of this article really believe Mayweather will fight Williams or Margarito? Floyd should take a lesson from Ray Leonard, who realized he would have to fight the best and feared welterweight, Thomas Hearns, at least once and beat him while he was in his prime to be considered great.
5. Joe Calzaghe (42-0, 32 KO’s) is boxing’s longest reigning champion. For ten years He has ruled the 168lb division. Jeff Lacy, an amateurish one dimensional fighter, was suppose to dethrone Calzaghe by KO, but suffered a one sided embarrassing Loss to the talented Welshman. He is indeed a throwback fighter. He faces what This writer believes may be his stiffest test in Kessler (WBC/WBA 168lb champ) since dethroning Chris Eubank to win the title. Should he defeat Kessler, this man can very well fight into his 40’s like Hopkins. A great fighter who can climb this list should he defeat Hopkins or Wright.
6 Ricky Hatton (43-0, 31 KOs) after fighting most of his fights in Europe against washed up fighters. He proved he was an elite fighter by defeating the dangerous Kostyu Tzyu in toe to toe action. He won the WBA 147lbs belt in a close but controversial fashion against Luis Collazo. He then decided to move back down to the 140lb division. He now moves back to 147lbs for his biggest challenge against Mayweather. This boxing writer gives Hatton a good chance of defeating Mayweather. Why? “Styles make fights”. There is no doubt in my mind the Hatton camp is watching the tapes of Mayweather-Castillo I and will employ the same tactics Castillo did to beat Mayweather, unofficially. Hatton is a pressure fighter and may be strong enough to bully Mayweather by outworking him enroute to a split decision win. The fact that Mayweather wants to shake his ass on “Dancining with the Stars” to gain more fans, which he probably won’t, only will help Hatton.
7. Miguel Cotto (30-0, 25 KOs) is a tough strong fighter with a lot of heart. Thus Far, this man has not let down his promotional team. Their investment in him has paid off more than they probably imagined. He has won the fights he was suppose to win and each opponent has always been a little bit better than the previous one so as to improve Miguel’s skills. This writer believes he will never be as good as his countrymen, Felix Trinidad, who at 30-0 in his career had fought the better competition than Miguel has. Miguel still has prove himself by defeating his fellow welterweight champions.
8. Shane Mosley (44-4, 37 KOs) is really back on track. After two decision losses to Wright in 2004, he has put together a five fight win streak which includes a win Over respectable former champion Luis Collazo in his last outing. His next fight will be against Miguel Cotto. Mosley has the physical ability to compete with Cotto. He also has the edge in experience and fought the better opposition. Look for an upset this coming November 10, 2007. Mosley TKOs Cotto in the 10th round.
9. Paul Williams (33-0, 24 KOs) is the newly crowned WBO welterweight Champion of the world after a close decision win over former long time champion Antonio Margarito. He deserves to be on this list because he beat, in my opinion, the best welterweight in the division in his last fight. He has also now shares the position Margarito still occupies. The elite fighters at welterweight don’t want to fight him. He has remained idle since July 2007 when he beat Margarito trying to pursue a high profile match with Mayweather or Cotto. His options are to give Margarito a rematch, which will be another tough close fight, or go ahead and make mandatory and optional defenses of his title while calling out the elite Fighters. Good luck with calling out the elite fighters!
10. Antonio Margarito (34-5, 24 KOs) is still a feared welterweight in boxing. Who Is stepping up to the plate to fight him? There has been some talk he will fight former foe and current IBF welterweight champion Kermit Cintron, rematch with Paul Williams, or even take on De La Hoya. Well? It’s just talk! Instead, He is fighting Golden Johnson on the Cotto-Mosley undercard. Mayweather likely breathed a sigh of relief when Margarito lost a close fight to Williams.
Mayweather turned down a reported 8 million dollars not fight this guy because He by Mayweather’s account was not on his level and nobody knows who he is. What a great businessman Mayweather is for turning down 8 million dollars! True boxing critics and fans know his last fight, a loss, only changes the fact he is no longer a world champion not how good he is. Margarito will likely get past Johnson. Look for a Margarito-Mosley showdown if Mosley defeats Cotto with the winner fighting De La Hoya on Cinco De Mayo in 2008.
Contact Ralph Rimpell at RLuvsboxing@aol.com
By: Ralph B. Rimpell
October 15, 2007
Over a year ago I started writing for Hot Boxing News (WBAN). My first article was a controversial “Pound for Pound” list on who I thought the best fighters in the world of boxing were at the time. Well, over a year later I still haven’t changed and the list for this year’s “Pound for Pound’ fighters is still controversial. While I respect my fellow boxing writers, on whom they view are the best fighters in the world today, I am still going against the grain, because I believe they are wrong.
1. Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao (44-3-2, 35 KO’s) is the best fighter in the world today. He has beaten the best fighters in and around his division. This fighter ducks no one. He may not be as skilled as Mayweather, but he will take the dangerous fights and win in devastating fashion which is what being “ Pound for Pound” is all about. He gave a voluntary rematch to a determined Barrera. Pacquiao did not repeat his performance against Barrera by knocking him out, but he did retire him. The week of the fight, two prominent boxing personalities, Bob Arum and De La Hoya, finally suggested what I said over a year ago, which was Pacquio ought to ranked over Floyd Mayweather. As long as he remains focused the boxing world is his to rule. It’s too bad he is not in the 147lb pound division.
2. Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KO’s) recently defeated Winky Wright. This former undisputed middleweight champion of the world is currently the recognized World light heavyweight champion, by Ring Magazine. He is 41 years old and has not lost a step. There is talk of him fighting supermiddleweight champion Joe Calzaghe, if Calzaghe defeats Kessler in unification super fight this November. A win over Calzaghe could move Hopkins to the number one spot if Pacquiao were to lose his next fight. Look for Hopkins to fight the winner of the Trinidad-Jones fight.
3. Ronald “Winky” Wright (50-4-1, 25 KO’s) recently lost a close decision to Hopkins. Wright moved up two weight class to challenge for Hopkins’s Lightheavyweight crown. The fight could have also been scored for Wright, but most thought Hopkins narrowly one. Prior to fighting Hopkins, A fight against current middleweight champion, Jermain Taylor, was scored a controversial draw. This was a fight Wright, in my opinion, won. Should Wright decide to go back to the middleweight division he could easily win a middleweight title. The only fighter who has a chance of truly defeating Wright is the newly crowned recognized middleweight champion Kelly Pavlik.
4. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (38-0, 24 KO’s) is number one on every other boxing writers pound for pound list. Why? He beat the best fighters in the 130 pound division. He escaped with a controversial decision against Castillo at 135lbs and won the rematch very unimpressively. He beat good fighters at 140lbs and 147lbs. He recently defeated De La Hoya in non-spectacular fashion and sports an undefeated record. He is a guaranteed hall of famer when he retires. No doubt about it, he is a great fighter. So this is why he should be “Pound for Pound’? Not exactly. “Pound for Pound” recognition is defeating the best fighters in the world in spectacular fashion on a consistent basis. Ricky Hatton is a “grade A” opponent, but he is the best at 140lbs and the recognized champion. Mayweather is the recognized welterweight champion (147lbs). If Mayweather wants to be ranked number one on this list he must defeat Paul Williams, Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto. Do the readers of this article really believe Mayweather will fight Williams or Margarito? Floyd should take a lesson from Ray Leonard, who realized he would have to fight the best and feared welterweight, Thomas Hearns, at least once and beat him while he was in his prime to be considered great.
5. Joe Calzaghe (42-0, 32 KO’s) is boxing’s longest reigning champion. For ten years He has ruled the 168lb division. Jeff Lacy, an amateurish one dimensional fighter, was suppose to dethrone Calzaghe by KO, but suffered a one sided embarrassing Loss to the talented Welshman. He is indeed a throwback fighter. He faces what This writer believes may be his stiffest test in Kessler (WBC/WBA 168lb champ) since dethroning Chris Eubank to win the title. Should he defeat Kessler, this man can very well fight into his 40’s like Hopkins. A great fighter who can climb this list should he defeat Hopkins or Wright.
6 Ricky Hatton (43-0, 31 KOs) after fighting most of his fights in Europe against washed up fighters. He proved he was an elite fighter by defeating the dangerous Kostyu Tzyu in toe to toe action. He won the WBA 147lbs belt in a close but controversial fashion against Luis Collazo. He then decided to move back down to the 140lb division. He now moves back to 147lbs for his biggest challenge against Mayweather. This boxing writer gives Hatton a good chance of defeating Mayweather. Why? “Styles make fights”. There is no doubt in my mind the Hatton camp is watching the tapes of Mayweather-Castillo I and will employ the same tactics Castillo did to beat Mayweather, unofficially. Hatton is a pressure fighter and may be strong enough to bully Mayweather by outworking him enroute to a split decision win. The fact that Mayweather wants to shake his ass on “Dancining with the Stars” to gain more fans, which he probably won’t, only will help Hatton.
7. Miguel Cotto (30-0, 25 KOs) is a tough strong fighter with a lot of heart. Thus Far, this man has not let down his promotional team. Their investment in him has paid off more than they probably imagined. He has won the fights he was suppose to win and each opponent has always been a little bit better than the previous one so as to improve Miguel’s skills. This writer believes he will never be as good as his countrymen, Felix Trinidad, who at 30-0 in his career had fought the better competition than Miguel has. Miguel still has prove himself by defeating his fellow welterweight champions.
8. Shane Mosley (44-4, 37 KOs) is really back on track. After two decision losses to Wright in 2004, he has put together a five fight win streak which includes a win Over respectable former champion Luis Collazo in his last outing. His next fight will be against Miguel Cotto. Mosley has the physical ability to compete with Cotto. He also has the edge in experience and fought the better opposition. Look for an upset this coming November 10, 2007. Mosley TKOs Cotto in the 10th round.
9. Paul Williams (33-0, 24 KOs) is the newly crowned WBO welterweight Champion of the world after a close decision win over former long time champion Antonio Margarito. He deserves to be on this list because he beat, in my opinion, the best welterweight in the division in his last fight. He has also now shares the position Margarito still occupies. The elite fighters at welterweight don’t want to fight him. He has remained idle since July 2007 when he beat Margarito trying to pursue a high profile match with Mayweather or Cotto. His options are to give Margarito a rematch, which will be another tough close fight, or go ahead and make mandatory and optional defenses of his title while calling out the elite Fighters. Good luck with calling out the elite fighters!
10. Antonio Margarito (34-5, 24 KOs) is still a feared welterweight in boxing. Who Is stepping up to the plate to fight him? There has been some talk he will fight former foe and current IBF welterweight champion Kermit Cintron, rematch with Paul Williams, or even take on De La Hoya. Well? It’s just talk! Instead, He is fighting Golden Johnson on the Cotto-Mosley undercard. Mayweather likely breathed a sigh of relief when Margarito lost a close fight to Williams.
Mayweather turned down a reported 8 million dollars not fight this guy because He by Mayweather’s account was not on his level and nobody knows who he is. What a great businessman Mayweather is for turning down 8 million dollars! True boxing critics and fans know his last fight, a loss, only changes the fact he is no longer a world champion not how good he is. Margarito will likely get past Johnson. Look for a Margarito-Mosley showdown if Mosley defeats Cotto with the winner fighting De La Hoya on Cinco De Mayo in 2008.
Contact Ralph Rimpell at RLuvsboxing@aol.com
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