Tweet
Rankings updated today 8/4/08
1. Antonio Margarito (37-5)
Miguel Cotto finally gave Margarito a chance to fight a big name opponent after so many others refused to take up the challenge, and "The Tijuana Tornado" delivered in style. He showed just why so many had avoided him by producing a dramatic 11th-round TKO in a fabulous fight. Margarito is now the man at welterweight. Period. Does Oscar De La Hoya dare fight him?
Next: Nov. 1 vs. TBA.
2. Miguel Cotto (32-1)
Although he lost the fight, Cotto did not diminish his standing with his performance against Margarito. Cotto should be proud that he and Margarito gave boxing the sort of sensational pay-per-view fight it needed, one that lived up to every bit of the hype. A heartfelt thank you to both guys. A rematch should happen, although don't count on it next.
Next: TBA.
3. Paul Williams (34-1)
Since a rematch with Margarito is unlikely to happen this year -- you can thank the animosity between Margarito promoter Bob Arum and Williams manager Al Haymon -- Williams likely will headline a November "Boxing After Dark" card on HBO. Hopefully, they can dig up a more interesting opponent than mandatory challenger Michael Jennings.
Next: TBA.
4. Shane Mosley (44-5)
Mosley's fall fight with Ricardo Mayorga was always an interesting matchup, but what left a bad taste in our mouth was that it was on HBO PPV. With some other fights falling into place, Golden Boy and HBO decided to move it from Oct. 11 on PPV to an earlier date on regular HBO. They didn't do it for the fans, but at least we are the beneficiaries.
Next: Sept. 27 vs. Mayorga.
5. Joshua Clottey (35-2)
In a tough, hard fight, Clottey got his title belt when he claimed a vacant strap with a ninth-round technical decision against former undisputed champ Zab Judah on Aug. 2. To our eyes, it looked like a nice left uppercut that opened that monster cut on Judah's eyelid, not a head butt, which is what was ruled by referee Robert Byrd. Regardless, Clottey set himself up for big business with the win, perhaps a rematch with Margarito.
Next: TBA.
6. Zab Judah (36-6)
The former champ gave it his all and fought a good fight, but Clottey was a bit too strong for Judah to handle, as he finally went down swinging in a ninth-round technical decision. It was a good enough performance for Judah to stay in the mix for a meaningful fight in a deep division.
Next: TBA.
7. Kermit Cintron (29-2)
In the wake of his blowout loss to Margarito in their April 12 rematch, the former titleholder has been released by promoter Main Events. This is called rock bottom. Good luck to Cintron, but the road back looks awfully brutal.
Next: TBA.
8. Luis Collazo (28-3)
In perfect world, Collazo will get the call to face Williams in November. If it happens, let's hope Collazo and his team aren't on another planet when it comes to the purse they expect.
Next: TBA.
9. Andre Berto (22-0)
Although Berto has his first defense scheduled against Steve Forbes (33-6) on the Mosley-Mayorga undercard, Clottey called him out after beating Judah. Berto should take a fight like that only if he's tired of having his title.
Next: Sept. 27 vs. Forbes.
10. Carlos Quintana (25-2)
Where was the disciplined boxer who whipped Williams in February? He was nowhere to be seen as Williams simply destroyed him to take back his belt via shocking first-round TKO. It took Quintana a long to time to rebound after Cotto knocked him dead. It might take even longer for him to rebound from his crushing defeat.
Next: TBA.
1. Antonio Margarito (37-5)
Miguel Cotto finally gave Margarito a chance to fight a big name opponent after so many others refused to take up the challenge, and "The Tijuana Tornado" delivered in style. He showed just why so many had avoided him by producing a dramatic 11th-round TKO in a fabulous fight. Margarito is now the man at welterweight. Period. Does Oscar De La Hoya dare fight him?
Next: Nov. 1 vs. TBA.
2. Miguel Cotto (32-1)
Although he lost the fight, Cotto did not diminish his standing with his performance against Margarito. Cotto should be proud that he and Margarito gave boxing the sort of sensational pay-per-view fight it needed, one that lived up to every bit of the hype. A heartfelt thank you to both guys. A rematch should happen, although don't count on it next.
Next: TBA.
3. Paul Williams (34-1)
Since a rematch with Margarito is unlikely to happen this year -- you can thank the animosity between Margarito promoter Bob Arum and Williams manager Al Haymon -- Williams likely will headline a November "Boxing After Dark" card on HBO. Hopefully, they can dig up a more interesting opponent than mandatory challenger Michael Jennings.
Next: TBA.
4. Shane Mosley (44-5)
Mosley's fall fight with Ricardo Mayorga was always an interesting matchup, but what left a bad taste in our mouth was that it was on HBO PPV. With some other fights falling into place, Golden Boy and HBO decided to move it from Oct. 11 on PPV to an earlier date on regular HBO. They didn't do it for the fans, but at least we are the beneficiaries.
Next: Sept. 27 vs. Mayorga.
5. Joshua Clottey (35-2)
In a tough, hard fight, Clottey got his title belt when he claimed a vacant strap with a ninth-round technical decision against former undisputed champ Zab Judah on Aug. 2. To our eyes, it looked like a nice left uppercut that opened that monster cut on Judah's eyelid, not a head butt, which is what was ruled by referee Robert Byrd. Regardless, Clottey set himself up for big business with the win, perhaps a rematch with Margarito.
Next: TBA.
6. Zab Judah (36-6)
The former champ gave it his all and fought a good fight, but Clottey was a bit too strong for Judah to handle, as he finally went down swinging in a ninth-round technical decision. It was a good enough performance for Judah to stay in the mix for a meaningful fight in a deep division.
Next: TBA.
7. Kermit Cintron (29-2)
In the wake of his blowout loss to Margarito in their April 12 rematch, the former titleholder has been released by promoter Main Events. This is called rock bottom. Good luck to Cintron, but the road back looks awfully brutal.
Next: TBA.
8. Luis Collazo (28-3)
In perfect world, Collazo will get the call to face Williams in November. If it happens, let's hope Collazo and his team aren't on another planet when it comes to the purse they expect.
Next: TBA.
9. Andre Berto (22-0)
Although Berto has his first defense scheduled against Steve Forbes (33-6) on the Mosley-Mayorga undercard, Clottey called him out after beating Judah. Berto should take a fight like that only if he's tired of having his title.
Next: Sept. 27 vs. Forbes.
10. Carlos Quintana (25-2)
Where was the disciplined boxer who whipped Williams in February? He was nowhere to be seen as Williams simply destroyed him to take back his belt via shocking first-round TKO. It took Quintana a long to time to rebound after Cotto knocked him dead. It might take even longer for him to rebound from his crushing defeat.
Next: TBA.
Comment