OnThEGRiND BOXiNG

May Pound4Pound Rankings
OnThEGRiND BOXiNG’s mouthpiece ranks boxing’s top fighters in the aftermath of Mayweather vs. Mosley.
Mon. May 3, 2010
by Suge Green

1.) Manny Pacquiao
Pacquiao is the literal definition of P4P, and the boxing world awaits his next move. If he doesn’t face an opponent at the very top of the weight class his next fight takes place at, look for him to lose ground on this list. P4P is not a popularity contest.

2.) Paul Williams
Name your weight class and he’s picking up a belt. If Williams could land the fights, he would have no problem defending belts from 147lbs.-160lbs. In order to maintain his position on the list though, his promoter will have to achieve greater success in securing matches with the sport’s very elite. He next faces Kermit Cintron.

3.) Sergio Martinez
Martinez has rocketed to the top following his impressive showing against Paul Williams (a strong contender for fight of the year), and his more recent decimation of Kelly Pavlik to become middleweight champion. Currently a two division titlist (Martinez also holds gold at 154lbs.), the future is wide open for this recent favorite among boxing fans. Martinez is a must list.

4.) Chad Dawson
Dawson has the light heavyweight division on lock. Bernard Hopkins has failed to face him despite promising to face the winner of Johnson vs. Dawson. Floyd Mayweather Jr. notably called Dawson boxing’s P4P #1 fighter.

5.) Floyd Mayweather Jr.
No doubt Mayweather is a controversial selection for the bottom of the top five. Since returning from retirement and dropping off of P4P lists completely, he has defeated a fat Juan Manuel Marquez (who was swimming in waters two weight-classes too deep), and became the first man to face and defeat the USADA approved, “Sugar-free” Shane Mosley. A victory over any of the men ranked above him on the list virtually guarantees him a lock on the number one position, barring any unforeseen (this is boxing) circumstances.

6.) Timothy Bradley
The avoided ruler of light welterweight, one of boxing’s hottest divisions. There are money fighters operating a notch or two below Bradley at 140lbs., however taking a shot at the champ’s title remains too risky a proposition as of yet. A fight against fellow champion Devon Alexander would give boxing fans something to talk about, and a victory would solidify Bradley’s position on the list

7.) “Sugar” Shane Mosley
The inactivity is eating away at the Sugar man, not seeing action since his defeat of welterweight black sheep, Antonio Margarito. Boxing waits for no man.

8.) Bernard Hopkins
Although he is Pound4Pound royalty, Hopkins hasn’t faced a serious threat since his ’08 victory over Kelly Pavlik. The recent victory over Jones was a personal matter for Hopkins, as well as financial, and did little to further his case as one of the sport’s best fighters.

9.) John Duddy
What can I say, Irish Paddy payed me. If Duddy can pull off a victory over Chavez Jr., perhaps he’ll warrant a legitimate top 100 listing.

10.) “Sugar-free” Shane Mosley
The USADA approved version of Mosley looked to be a shell of his former-self, with his effectiveness expiring after the first two rounds against Floyd Mayweather Jr., in much the same way Roy Jones Jr.’s shelf-life expired after two rounds against Joe Calzaghe.