411's July Pound for Pound Boxing Ratings 07.31.08

Posted by Ramon Aranda on 07.31.2008

The ratings are back and there's been some big shake ups. Find out who the top fighters in the world are for the month of July in this month's pound for pound ratings.

It's about that time again to see who the best fighters are in the world pound for pound. It's been an interesting few weeks and since our June ratings were dubiously missing, we've got some catching up to do. With Mayweather's retirement, he's obviously no longer a top our ratings and with Pavlik, Cotto and Margarito all fighting recently, there's been some shake ups in our division so check them out!

1. Manny Pacquiao (47-3-2, 35 KOs)

Finally, the Pac Man sits atop our ratings once again and this time
it looks like he's staying here for a while. Having recently steamrolled through David Diaz to capture his fifth world title, Manny is in a great
place in his career. In a place where he can command any fight and
just about any purse he desires, Pacquiao is in total control of his career.
The question now is where does Manny go from here? There's rumors
about a possible showdown with Oscar De La Hoya in December, or
possibly a battle against Humberto Soto in November. Whichever way
Manny goes, the boxing world will be watching.

2. Joe Calzaghe (45-0, 32 KOs)

It's been a tumultuous few weeks for Calzaghe who not only decided
that he would return to the super middleweight division but also that
he would take on Roy Jones Jr. before doing so. Problem is, Calzaghe
has just injured his wrist and the fight which was to take place has been
canceled or postponed depending on whom you ask. According to Jones
though, the fight will likely get rescheduled for sometime in November
which seems likely. Here's hoping Calzaghe recovers quickly.

3. Juan Manuel Marquez (48-4-1, 35 KOs)

Not happy with sitting around waiting for Manny Pacquiao to agree to
a third fight, Marquez has too, decided to jump up to the lightweight
division. Rather than take a ‘gimme' fight though, Marquez is going right
for the gusto so to speak. Marquez will be tangling with Ring Magazine
and linear lightweight champion Joel Casamayor on September 13th.
According to his trainers, the plan is to win the true lightweight crown and
entice Manny into the rubber match since a win would plant Marquez as
the #1 ranked lightweight in the world. Sounds like a good plan to us!

4. Kelly Pavlik (34-0, 30 KOs)

Well Pavlik had quite the easy night when he stepped into the ring with
Gary Lockett a few weeks back didn't he? Pavlik made it look like a walk
in the park and he did it in style, dropping Lockett over and over again.
Without a big name out there that Pavlik could get matched up with for
big money, Top Rank has tapped into Bernard Hopkins. That's right,
B-Hop will get one more big payday against the middleweight champion
at a catch-weight of course on October 18th in Atlantic City. Could be
a lose-lose for Pavlik but a big opportunity for Hopkins. Pavlik will
have to win big if this fight is to do him any good. Word is he isn't
too thrilled about the fight.

5. Bernard Hopkins (48-5-1, 32 KOs)

Just when you thought that his loss to Calzaghe was the end of the road
for the sure-fire hall of famer and former light heavyweight and
middleweight champion, in comes a big money fight with Kelly Pavlik.
a win over Pavlik would be huge for Hopkins and make it a great
opportunity to bow out of the sport. We expect either way, he'll make it
a tough fight for Pavlik as he never lets anyone look good.

6. Antonio Margarito (37-5, 27 KOs)

Talk about a monumental rise into the ratings – Antonio Margarito surely
joined a long list of pound for pound lists with his upset win over Miguel
Cotto for the WBA welterweight title. Margarito proved to the boxing
world that he's the real deal and silenced the critics along the way. The
Tijuana Tornado now sits atop of the 147-pound division and he can call
the shots. He wants De La Hoya but that won't likely happen. A end of
the year fight against the winner of the upcoming Judah-Clottey IBF
welterweight title match is more likely.

7. Miguel Cotto (33-1, 26 KOs)

There's no doubt the loss to Margarito will sting a while but no one can
question Cotto's determination and skill in a competitive but ultimately
knockout loss to his Mexican conqueror. In defeat, Cotto showed his
heart and showed why he is one of the classiest fighters in the sport today.
Cotto will likely rest and regroup before coming back with an easier bout
in early 2009 though he's stated that he'd like to fight in 2008. Don't expect
it though.

8. Israel Vasquez (43-4, 31 KOs)

Vasquez is no doubt enjoying a little vacation time alter three grueling
bouts with Rafael Marquez. We expect Vasquez however to take a fight
sometime before the end of the year as to stay active. No word yet from
his promoters at Sycuan Promotions about his next bout but I'm sure there's
no rush to get him back in the ring just yet. It's rumored that preliminary
talks had begun a few weeks ago about a fourth fight with Marquez for
sometime in early to mid 2009.

9. Ricky Hatton (44-1, 31 KOs)

The Hitman has signed on to face Paulie Malignaggi on November 22nd
possibly in Las Vegas, Nevada. Having looked less than stellar in his
performance against Juan Lazcano in May, Hatton will want to regroup
and train hard to prove to his legions of fans that he can still get it done in
the ring. Unfortunately he'll have to do it without long time trainer Billy
Graham who recently announced that he would be retiring.

10. Rafael Marquez (37-5, 33 KOs)

Marquez is getting some much needed rest but word is, that he's ready to
get back into the ring by the end of the year. If he can't get Vasquez for
a fourth fight in early 2009, expect him to take a tune-up fight later this year
which appears to be the case according to his trainer. One has to think though
that the Marquez camp should be looking at other opponents besides
Vasquez; perhaps getting a crack at another title belt within the same division.



Honorable Mentions

- Joan Guzman
- Winky Wright
- Chris John
- Cristian Mijares
- Arthur Abraham
- Joel Casamayor