411's Pound for Pound Rankings 04.01.08

Posted by Ramon Aranda on 04.01.2008

We look at the top dogs in boxing after the month of March. Did the Pacquiao-Marquez rematch have a major effect on last month's list? Which fighters made up the top ten? Where did Floyd Mayweather, Ricky Hatton, and Bernard Hopkins land? 411's Ramon Aranda ranks the top ten pound for pound fighters in the latest edition of 411's Pound for Pound Rankings!

Well folks it's about that time once again to look at the best fighters in the world. Though March didn't feature as many pound for pound entrants in the ring, we did get an exciting month of boxing that did include the phenomenal rematch between Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao. April will bring another good one as we have more than a handful of our pound for pound entrants in big fights, but until those have come to fruition, let's take a look at the pound for pound best fighters in the world for the month of March.

1. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 KOs)



So "Money" Mayweather as he likes to be called now didn't defend his welterweight
title but he did step into the ring and he did makes a few million fighting on PPV.
Yep, Floyd took part in WrestleMania XXIV when he battled "The Big Show" in what
I have to admit was an entertaining match. Not only did he take some real shots, but
he managed to provide a few offensive maneuvers though the chop that he took to the
chest nearly caved it in. Mayweather seems to be enjoying some time off from boxing
and we may not see him in the ring until he faces De La Hoya in September...assuming
he signs the contract.

2. Manny Pacquiao (46-3-2, 35 KOs)



The Pac-Man entered his March rematch with Juan Manuel Marquez a slight favorite
but he got a lot more than he bargained for as Marquez not only cut him bad but managed
to hurt him on a few occasions. Regardless, Pacquiao survived some scares and put it on
Marquez, dropping him in the process. The fight was extremely close, but Pacquiao earned
a split decision and remains the #2 fighter on this list. Having seen his last match at 130
pounds, he may next face David Diaz, who holds a lightweight title sometime this summer.

3. Juan Manuel Marquez (47-4, 35 KOs)



Though on the losing end of his rematch with Pacquiao, Marquez can also claim victory
in a hard fought bout that some believe he won. Needless to say, Marquez still deserves
to be ranked among the top fighters in the world as many would argue that he hasn't yet
been beaten clearly. Marquez is eyeing a rubber match with Pacquiao though he'll have to
wait. No word on what Marquez will do next but he'll likely take a meaningful fight at junior
lightweight. At 34, Marquez must stay busy if he wants to stay near the top physically.

4. Bernard Hopkins (48-4-1, 32 KOs)



Not having fought since last July, Bernard finally steps into the ring in a few short weeks
when he takes on Joe Calzaghe in Las Vegas. Hopkins has the opportunity to put the
finishing stamp on his career by defeating a world class, undefeated champion. Hopkins
will have to be at his absolute best if he's to hold off the super middleweight champ. His
performance will surely affect his standing as one of the top 5 fighters in the world. The
world will be watching.

5. Joe Calzaghe (44-0, 32 KOs)



The Welshman can finally prove to the world that he's one of the absolute best if he can
dethrone Hopkins from his perch. Joe has consistently been recognized as one of the
best fighters, though he had only up until recently been ignored in the U.S. On April 19,
he can show the world and the U.S. boxing fans what he's capable of and should make
for one hell of an event.

6. Miguel Cotto (31-0, 25 KOs)



Miguel is yet another fighter who will be stepping into the ring in April and so he was
out of action in March; unless of course you count his being in training. Cotto will be
taking on Alfonso Gomez on April 12 so it's only two weeks before we see one of the
best in boxing in action.

7. Kelly Pavlik(33-0, 29 KOs)



The Youngstown, Ohio native has got to be enjoying his title reign right now. After
defeating Jermain Taylor for a second time, Pavlik is on top of the world and his fans
couldn't be happier. Pavlik, not one to wait around, already has his next opponent
waiting in the wings as he is set to defend his middleweight championship against
Gary Lockett on June 7 in Atlantic City, NJ. His previous bout was contested at
super middleweight so naturally the middleweight title was not on the line but will be
against the 30-1 Lockett.

8. Ricky Hatton (43-1, 31 KOs)



The Hitman has been looking for a rematch with Floyd Mayweather and the word
right now is that it's a possibility in early '09 in London. For the time being, Hatton
has an upcoming bout scheduled with Juan Lazcano in May. Hatton has to do his
best to look impressive if he is to court Mayweather for a second go around or even
De La Hoya. With Hatton being back in Manchester, he will likely want to put on
an action packed show and we expect no less.

9. Israel Vasquez (42-4, 31 KOs)



The junior featherweight champion will be honored this week by his promotional team
at Sycuan Ringside Promotions. Being the only fighter from L.A. holding a world
championship, Vasquez will hopefully get some much deserved recognition. A fourth
bout with Marquez is possible but he will probably get a easier fight after some much
needed rest.

10. Winky Wright (51-4, 25 KOs)



What else can be said about Winky other than, please take a fight already. Though we
know he wont' be fighting in April, should he not at least have an opponent made, we
will have no choice but to remove Winky from the pound for pound rankings. Not that he
isn't as good as he was after his last bout but we've got to give other, more active fighters
some love. He isn't getting any younger folks!