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Thread Starter's list wasn't really p4p in the conventional sense, it was more a list of who he feels are the ten best fighters in 2014. I think a p4p list needs to take stock of actual accomplishments rather than promise and potential because in hindsight putting guys like Broner in a top ten list before he has a stern test in the ring delegitimizes that list. Tyson Fury should be nowhere near a list like this and Mayweather has earned the right to be #1 on any self-respecting pound for pound list. I can understand the case for not having Ward because of his inactivity, but then you have to apply that to Sergio Martinez as well.
Any respectable pound for pound list I feel should have 1-7 below, after that it's subjective:
1. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Still the best fighter in the world, has been proving that fight in and fight out for the better part of seventeen years. His last fight was a well-earned win against a worthy challenger, nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to suggest slippage.
2. Andre Ward
Will probably be dropped for inactivity soon, but is likely the best fighter on the planet not named Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather is the best outside/distance fighter in the sport, Ward is the best inside fighter.
3. Wladimir Klitschko
Often gets slighted because of the weak competition in the heavyweight division; however he has a proven track record since winning the title from Chris Byrd in 2006 and with a convincing win over Kubret Pulev, he could move to #2 on my list. An excellent finisher and master technician, his in-ring accomplishments are all the more impressive considering he has a questionable chin. He will face a serious challenge from Deontay Wilder soon hopefully.
4. Manny Pacquiao
As the TS said, he probably has the best resume of all currently active fighters. He also could move up the list soon if he can erase his loss to Marquez in a fifth fight.
5. Timothy Bradley
His resume speaks for itself. He was undisputed 140 pound champ in a stacked division and he holds legitimate wins over Marquez and Provodnikov, two of the most dangerous fighters in the sport today.
6. Juan Manuel Marquez
Holds a KO win over Manny Pacquiao who was #3 P4P at the time of their fight. Other than that, his resume is also one of the most impressive among active fighters, and he's probably the second greatest Mexican fighter of all time.
7. Guillermo Rigondeaux
The best defensive fighter in the sport. Defeated Nonito Donaire who was a legitimate p4p top 5 fighter at the time.
8. Carl Froch
Probably not even pound-for-pound top 50 in terms of talent, but p4p #1 in terms of maximizing the talent he has with heart, grit and determination.
9. Nonito Donaire
I still feel this man has top ten pound-for-pound talent, he just has been in a bit of a slump his last couple outings. I have confidence he will bounce back and beat Walters, Gradovich, or virtually anyone in the lower weight classes not named Guillermo Rigondeaux.
10. Leo Santa Cruz
In my opinion a future megastar in boxing and he is a legit two-division world champ already. He looked fantastic thoroughly outboxing Cristian Mijares who is a very very solid fighter. He'd give Rigondeaux or Donaire a tough test.
Any respectable pound for pound list I feel should have 1-7 below, after that it's subjective:
1. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Still the best fighter in the world, has been proving that fight in and fight out for the better part of seventeen years. His last fight was a well-earned win against a worthy challenger, nothing to be ashamed of and nothing to suggest slippage.
2. Andre Ward
Will probably be dropped for inactivity soon, but is likely the best fighter on the planet not named Floyd Mayweather Jr. Mayweather is the best outside/distance fighter in the sport, Ward is the best inside fighter.
3. Wladimir Klitschko
Often gets slighted because of the weak competition in the heavyweight division; however he has a proven track record since winning the title from Chris Byrd in 2006 and with a convincing win over Kubret Pulev, he could move to #2 on my list. An excellent finisher and master technician, his in-ring accomplishments are all the more impressive considering he has a questionable chin. He will face a serious challenge from Deontay Wilder soon hopefully.
4. Manny Pacquiao
As the TS said, he probably has the best resume of all currently active fighters. He also could move up the list soon if he can erase his loss to Marquez in a fifth fight.
5. Timothy Bradley
His resume speaks for itself. He was undisputed 140 pound champ in a stacked division and he holds legitimate wins over Marquez and Provodnikov, two of the most dangerous fighters in the sport today.
6. Juan Manuel Marquez
Holds a KO win over Manny Pacquiao who was #3 P4P at the time of their fight. Other than that, his resume is also one of the most impressive among active fighters, and he's probably the second greatest Mexican fighter of all time.
7. Guillermo Rigondeaux
The best defensive fighter in the sport. Defeated Nonito Donaire who was a legitimate p4p top 5 fighter at the time.
8. Carl Froch
Probably not even pound-for-pound top 50 in terms of talent, but p4p #1 in terms of maximizing the talent he has with heart, grit and determination.
9. Nonito Donaire
I still feel this man has top ten pound-for-pound talent, he just has been in a bit of a slump his last couple outings. I have confidence he will bounce back and beat Walters, Gradovich, or virtually anyone in the lower weight classes not named Guillermo Rigondeaux.
10. Leo Santa Cruz
In my opinion a future megastar in boxing and he is a legit two-division world champ already. He looked fantastic thoroughly outboxing Cristian Mijares who is a very very solid fighter. He'd give Rigondeaux or Donaire a tough test.
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