The new year is upon us. What better way to kick off 2010 than to indulge boxing fans in a meaningless squabble regarding the best boxer in the world? Inside Fights has tallied the votes and here are our top ten pound-for-pound boxers in the world.
Inside Fights Pound-For-Pound Rankings
1. Manny Pacquiao
Last Month: 1
“Pacquiao, the consensus Fighter of the Year and Fighter of the Decade, is the number one guy in the sport right now. But he’s drawing some (warranted) criticism and suspicion for reacting harshly to the thought of taking a blood test close to his fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr.” – Corey Willinger
2. Floyd Mayweather Jr
Last Month: 2
“Floyd and Manny need to fight inside the ring, not outside of it.” – Trent Pusey
3. Bernard Hopkins
Last Month: 3
“Hopkins showed he still has it against Enrique Ornelas, but now that Roy Jones Jr. has been knocked out again, he has no opponent for the time being. A bout with Tomasz Adamek or Chad Dawson would be his best option now.” – CW
4. Paul Williams
Last Month: 4
“Paul came out the victor in last month’s war with Sergio Martinez and further solidified his spot as a pound-for-pound great. A fight with Kelly Pavlik looms for 2010.” – TP
5. Juan Manuel Marquez
Last Month: 5
“Marquez is still a force, despite being made to look ordinary by Mayweather in his last appearance. A lightweight title defense against mandatory Michael Katsidis would be entertaining, as would a megafight with Ricky Hatton in England.” – CW
6. Shane Mosley
Last Month: 6
“Mosley waited for a big name in a big fight. If he defeats Andre Berto later this month, his patience just may pay off.” – TP
7. Chad Dawson
Last Month: 7
“Dawson might not have any big name opponents on the horizon, but good fights can be made against super middleweights like Jean Pascal and Lucian Bute if HBO can convince him to fight either.” – CW
8. Arthur Abraham
Last Month: 8
“Abraham is the early Super Six leader and is set to come back to the United States in March to take on Andre Dirrell.” – TP
9. Andre Ward
Last Month: 9
“Ward was the breakout star of 2009 with his dominant win over Mikkel Kessler and now stands as a co-favorite to win the Super Six. He next faces Jermain Taylor, the biggest underdog in the tournament.” – CW
10. Nonito Donaire
Last Month: 10
“Donaire will fight Gerson Guerrero in February as he looks on to bigger fights in the remainder of 2010.” – TP
