By Matthew Aguilar, El Paso Times
It's been nine months since the El Paso Times updated its pound-for-pound list. It's time to revisit:
Pac Man tops ... again
1.
Manny Pacquiao, 52-3-2 (38 knockouts): Pacquiao has been criticized lately for his decision to fight the used-up Shane Mosley on May 7. But it's more a criticism of promoter Bob Arum than "Pac Man." The reality is that the Filipino megastar deserves a breather after beating Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito. It just shouldn't be on pay-per-view.
2.
Floyd Mayweather, 41-0 (25 KOs): You want a fearless prediction? Mayweather-Pacquiao will finally happen on Nov. 12. Once Mayweather pays all of his significant legal fees for escaping various acts of stupidity, "Money" will realize he has no recourse, but to fight again. And there's only one opponent who can make him the kind of money that will pull him out of his financial abyss for good, and that's Pacquiao.
3.
Nonito Donaire, 25-1 (17 KOs): Ever since Donaire flattened the heavily favored Vic Darchinyan in 2007, the boxing world has been waiting for the "Filipino Flash" to be tested. Well, he's had to climb two weight classes to do it, but the hard-punching dynamo will finally meet an equal on Feb. 19, when he meets Mexico's Fernando Montiel for the bantamweight title.
4.
Sergio Martinez, 46-2-2 (25 KOs): "Maravilla" firmly established himself as a bonafide boxing superstar on Nov. 20, when he leveled Paul Williams with one devastating left hand in round two to win recognition as the best middleweight in the world. Next up for the Argentine is the undefeated Serhiy Dzinziruk on March 12.
5.
Andre Ward, 23-0 (13 KOs): The Oakland native is in the lead of Showtime's "World Boxing Classic" round-robin tournament at 168 pounds, and doesn't appear ready to let up. He's scheduled to fight Arthur Abraham on May 14, and then the winner of Carl Froch-Glen Johnson. He is capable of dominating all three.
6.
Juan Manuel Marquez, 52-5-1 (38 KOs): Like his nemesis Pacquiao, Marquez has fought a firing squad of dangerous opponents over the last several years, including Pacquiao, Mayweather, Joel Casamayor, Juan Diaz and Michael Katsidis. It is he -- not Mosley -- who deserves a shot at Pacquiao. So we'll give "Dinamita" a pass for fighting the washed-up Erik Morales on April 9.
7.
Wladimir Klitschko, 55-3 (49 KOs): What can you say about "Dr. Steelhammer?" The IBF and WBO heavyweight champ just keeps beating up the best available big men in the world without much difficulty. To his credit, he's been chasing the shameless David Haye. Instead, he'll get Dereck Chisora on April 30.
8.
Fernando Montiel, 44-2-2 (34 KOs): For years, "Cochulito" has been regarded as perhaps the most underappreciated fighter in boxing, despite world titles in three divisions. His showdown with Donaire on Feb. 19 should make up for the lack of appreciation.
9.
Juan Manuel Lopez, 30-0 (27 KOs): The supremely talented Puerto Rican is quickly becoming a homeland hero in the vein of Felix Trinidad and Miguel Cotto thanks to a superb 2010. He'll meet veteran Orlando Salido on May 16 in Puerto Rico as he waits for Yuriorkis Gamboa.
10.
Dmitry Pirog, 17-0 (14 KOs): Ok, so Pirog may not have the credentials of the other fighters on this list. But if his July destruction of the previously undefeated Daniel Jacobs is any indication, the power-punching Russian is a force to be reckoned with in the middleweight division. I'd take him over Felix Sturm or Kelly Pavlik right now, and a showdown with Martinez could be a classic boxer-puncher matchup.
Matthew Aguilar may be reached at maguilarnew@yahoo.com.
Source: El Paso Times
The Pound-for-Pound king gave away 17 pounds in November when he battered Mexican hardman Antonio Margarito over 12 rounds at a catch weight of 150lbs.
