The end of another month means another edition of the BoxingWatchers.com power rankings. It was an action-packed February in the world of boxing, and a number of fighters shifted around because of recent performances.
If you've never seen these rankings before, the first thing you're going to say is, "Juan Manuel Marquez is just barely in the top 10? But he was awesome on Saturday!" And you're right, he was. But since everyone and their brother does a pound-for-pound list, this is something a bit different: a numerical reflection of how different boxers have fared over the past three years (going back to March 2, 2006).
Believe it or not, JMM lost twice in the last three years. Thus, his KO of Juan Diaz has him just entering our top 10. Learn more here.
Now that that's out of the way, on to the rankings:
1. Arthur Abraham - 24.38 - While everyone waits to see if a fight between King Arthur and Kelly Pavlik can be made - and it's currently not looking like it will be any time soon - Abraham will face Philadelphia's Lajuan Simon in the friendly atmosphere of Germany.
2. Wladimir Klitschko - 20.29 - Sadly has not finalized a deal to fight the man right below him on this list, which would finally break the stranglehold on these top spots one way or another.
3. David Haye - 20.00 - Though he's right on the brink of getting the big shot he wants, what will Haye do if he can't land a bout with one of the Klitschkos? If he doesn't fight by mid-summer, he'll be dropping like a rock in these rankings due to inactivity.
4. Kelly Pavlik - 19.54 - I thought Marco Antonio Rubio would put up more of a fight, but The Ghost just walked right through him. Who wants to go to Youngstown to fight him in that atmosphere?
5. Celestino Caballero - 19.42 - He'll put his super bantamweight belts on the line in just a few weeks against Jeffrey Mathebula.
6. Manny Pacquiao - 16.95 - Unless I misunderstand things, Manny can add a world title in yet another division (140 lbs.) by beating Ricky Hatton in May. If he wins, Pacquiao should remain the boxer in the highest demand among potential opponents.
7. Miguel Cotto - 16.34 - Regained his confidence on the same card as Pavlik, though his test was even easier. Most sources say he'll face Joshua Clottey at MSG this summer.
8. Paul Williams - 15.79 - The Punisher is officially signed to take on Winky Wright in April in an interesting clash of styles. Even so, he's still looking for that signature fight that will make him a more household name.
9. Vic Darchinyan - 15.23 - Vic was absolutely vicious in taking apart Jorge Arce. He's been impressive his last three times out, but a draw and a KO loss in the last few years are holding him back a little here.
10. Juan Manuel Marquez - 13.46 - Expect to hear a lot more people argue for JMM as the pound-for-pound king after his exciting knockout of Juan Diaz. He'll actually move up next month without fighting as his March 2006 loss to Chris John will fall out of the rolling three-year window.
The next 7: Andre Berto, Chris John, Nonito Donaire, Chad Dawson, Tomasz Adamek, Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley
Posted by The Franchise
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1 comment:
although I would like to continue my criticism of David Haye being on the list, all in all it's a good group.
the order can be debated, which is to be expected, but the list is solid.
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