Let me present the top ten pound-for-pound boxers to kick off the new year. If you have a gripe with the rankings, I will be happy to tell you why you are wrong in the comments section below.
Inside Fights Pound-for-Pound Rankings
1. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Last Month: 1
2011 will be a telling year for Mayweather Jr. Most important will be whether or not the best boxer in the world winds up in jail.
2. Manny Pacquiao
Last Month: 2
He hasn’t exactly been challenging himself lately, nor did he end up with a risky opponent in his May bout with Shane Mosley, but at least Manny is getting in the ring.
3. Juan Manuel Marquez
Last Month: 3
I know Marquez wants to fight Manny, but now he’s acting like him. It seems like his next bout may come against Erik Morales.
4. Sergio Martinez
Last Month: 4
The 2010 Fighter of the Year is riding high into 2011. After a stellar knockout of Paul Williams, Martinez may be back to defend his middleweight title in March.
5. Bernard Hopkins
Last Month: 5
Everytime you think you are rid of him, Bernard Hopkins comes right back. Hopkins faultered early against Jean Pascal but fought beautifully thereafter in a December draw.
6. Wladimir Klitschko
Last Month: 6
Wladimir was supposed to fight Dereck Chisora last month, but an injury to Wlad caused the bout to be called off. We got our weekly flirtation with Wlad-Haye before the Chisora fight was rescheduled for April.
7. Andre Ward
Last Month: 7
Andre Ward will next compete in the semis of the Super Six, hopefully ridding the division of Arthur Abraham in the process.
8. Timothy Bradley
Last Month: 8
Bradley and Devon Alexander finally meet on Jan 29 in the first major fight of 2011. The winner will make big waves in the 140-pound weight class.
9. Paul Williams
Last Month: 9
Williams was caught by the perfect punch against Sergio. His next bout will go a long way in showing just how much he was damaged by that bout.
10. Vitali Klitschko
Last Month: 10
Vitali will be fighting on in 2011 which spells trouble for whomever that ends up to be. I hear David Haye is looking for a fight.
