411 Boxing's Pound for Pound Ratings 07.02.09: For Month Ending June

Posted by Ramon Aranda on 07.02.2009

Check out the latest pound for pound ratings as we see a few changes to our list with one previous entrant now exiting, making way for a new top-10 fighter.

Our pound for pound ratings are back, now with the new zone in full swing! This month, our list looks a little different with Ricky Hatton no longer in the top-10 but that makes way for a new entrant. Plus some inactivity forces one entrant to drop a spot while another one moves up. What you won't see here just yet is former pound for pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. who despite returning to the sport, will have to actually fight to get himself back on the list. It's like being a world champion - you can't relinquish your title, retire and then come right back and be the champion; you'll have to earn it back.

With that being said, let's get on to this month's pound for pound ratings!




10. Nonito Donaire (21-1, 14 KOs) – With Hatton out of the p4p list due to his knockout defeat at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, another Filipino enters the fray. Donaire, since upsetting Vic Darchinyan, our #9 ranked fighter, has gone 3-0 with 3 knockouts and is now set to move up in weight to challenge Rafael Concepcion on August 15 at junior bantamweight. Donaire has shown much improvement over his last few fights and although he was sidelined for most of 2008 due to promotional issues, ‘The Filipino Flash' is quickly becoming a fighter to watch. His recent demolition of Raul Martinez and five fight knockout streak shows he can take you out of there.

Next bout: August 15 against Rafael Concepcion




9. Vic Darchinyan (32-1-1, 26 KOs) - His upcoming title fight against Joseph Agbeko is getting closer and the two have been trading verbal blows as of late. During a conference call this week, the two exchanged jabs at each other which made for an entertaining 40 minutes or so. But the talking will cease to matter in a week and a half. Darchinyan is moving up in weight but has fought at 126 pounds before so 118 shouldn't be that big of a deal for ‘The Raging Bull'. Should he pick up this win, he'll be making quite a statement against a quality bantamweight while nabbing a title in a third weight class. Keep your eyes on this fight – it should be fun as Agbeko is no push-over.

Next bout: July 11 against Joseph Agbeko




8. Paul Williams (36-1, 27 KOs) – The odd man out of all of this welterweight talk as no one wants to mention ‘The Punisher's' name when talking about marquee matchups at 147. Sure he's fought at 160 and 154 lately but he says he can still make 147 pounds and he'd be a favorite over plenty of fighters in between. A 2009 fight is likely for Paul but he has to look at three weight classes for possible foes and it doesn't get any easier after each subsequent win. Here's a guy that should really be getting the big fights on a consistent basis but it's just not happening. Who will step up? We'll try to find out and let you know!

Next bout: TBA




7. Kelly Pavlik (35-1, 31 KOs) – ‘The Ghost' should've fought Sergio Mora in June but the fight was scrapped due to a staph infection and who knows what else. Now there seems to be some dissention between Pavlik's team and Top Rank while his future may include Felix Sturm in November. His team has also mentioned Carl Froch and Arthur Abraham as possibilities for next year which would be just fine by us. Either way, we're missing out on Pavlik's talent and it's a shame that he's been out of the ring for this long. The middleweight champ should be fighting on a more consistent basis and he can't rest on his two wins over Jermain Taylor for too long.

Next bout: Likely in November vs. TBA




6. Ivan Calderon (32-0-1, 6 KOs) – Ivan Calderon was looking to continue his winning ways but an accidental headbutt forced a stoppage against Rodel Mayol in Madison Square Garden, in a that was even after six rounds. Now Calderon must recoup and come back but it'll take some time to heal from that cut. The problem is that this is the second fight in a row in which an butt has caused a bad gash, forcing a stoppage to the contest. He's now 34 and at that weight, he's getting up their in age. Plus, how will his skin react to future fights? Will he cut more easily? If so, that could be problematic for ‘Iron Boy', especially if he gets a rematch with Mayol, which is the most natural follow up fight.

Next bout: TBA




5. Israel Vazquez (43-4, 31 KOs) – Well a few weeks ago, we finally got the good word that Izzy has been officially cleared to resume full on training. Vazquez spoke to the press recently and talked about looking for a fight with Rafael Marquez, Juan Manuel Lopez or anyone else that wants a piece. We'll gladly watch either of those fights and when he gets a scheduled fight, we'll be sure to let you know. The only concern is how his eye will hold up. He had been recovering from a detached retina and after three brutal fights with Rafael Marquez, we have to wonder how much is left in the tank. If he recuperates well, he'll be a force in the lower divisions but if he shows obvious deterioration, then we'd advise him to hang ‘em up before he seriously injures himself. Don't be surprised to see some ring rust of course in his first fight back though which may happen later this year.

Next bout: TBA but likely to be sometime in September or October




4. Bernard Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KOs) – B-Hop takes a slight dive as he drops to #4 based off his inactivity and replaced by Shane Mosley who's fought as recently as January. Hopkins has not opened up about a possible opponent this year or if he'll simply retire and we're all just waiting around for word on what he plans to do next. We honestly don't think he even knows and that puts the light heavyweight division in a bit of a standstill. We last saw him late last year dismantling middleweight champ Kelly Pavlik at light heavy but negotiations with cruiserweight champ Tomasz Adamek have gone nowhere. We'll still favor him against anyone near and around his weight class given his track record but he can't sit around too long if he wants to remain effective. If he retires, the Dawson-Johnson winner becomes the light heavyweight champ; if not, then the winner should try to lure Hopkins for a showdown – it's the only logical choice unless the Adamek fight gets made.

Next bout: TBA, if he decides to continue




3. Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs) – Poor Shane; he's the WBA welterweight champ and consensus #1 147-pounder (despite a close decision loss to Cotto) and the guy can't get a fight. He desperately wants to get into the ring with Manny Pacquiao but no dice so far. The question as to who might get Mosley in 2009 is unanswered and no one seems to know if he'll even step into the ring this year. Let's just hope he at least gets a top-10 welterweight thrown his way. At this stage of his career, he can't afford to stay on the sidelines too long.

Next bout: TBA since he can't seem to get anyone to step up




2. Juan Manuel Marquez (50-4-1, 37 KOs) – We should've been getting ready to watch the #2 pound for pound fighter in the world tangle with the former #1 p4p king in an few weeks time but an untimely injury to Mayweather's rib area (cartilage) postponed their July 18 fight. Luckily we already have a new date – September 19, which should do wonders for ticket sales since it's during Mexican Independence Day weekend but also unfortunate since we now have to wait a few more months. The question becomes though, will the postponement benefit Marquez or Mayweather who's looking to shake off some rust. On the other hand, if Mayweather really did injure his rib cartilage, then the body attack from Marquez now becomes a major factor. It'll be the toughest challenge to date for ‘Dinamita' nonetheless but if he's proven anything in his career; it's that you can never count him out.

Next bout: September 19 against Floyd Mayweather Jr.




1. Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2, 36 KOs) – The Pacman left no doubts as to who rules the boxing world with a devastating knockout victory over former junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton in Las Vegas this past May. Now Pacquiao awaits his next challenge which could very well come in the form of Miguel Cotto who defeated Joshua Clottey in his last outing. Negotiations are already underway for that one though Shane Mosley is hoping to get a piece in the near future. Having knocked off Hatton, De La Hoya and Diaz in his last three fights, Pacquiao is on a tear right now and one has to wonder just who can stop the Filipino hurricane. Also we should note that Pacquiao is being lined up to be in a film directed by Sylvester Stallone. Too bad it's not Rocky VII!

Next bout: Possibly against Miguel Cotto on November 14

Honorable Mentions - Chad Dawson, Tomasz Adamek, Miguel Cotto, Arthur Abraham

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Now we ask you the readers, to give us your thoughts on the top-10. Agree or disagree? We're sure there will be plenty of you who feel that someone like Miguel Cotto should be on the list and believe us, it was a tough decision but it is what it si. If it was up to you, what would your list look like?

Let us know.