Our First Pound-For-Pound Top 20 List Of 2009

By Tim Starks

As usual, my criteria includes, in approximate order of importance: recent activity, career achievement and overall ability.

1. Manny Pacquiao (junior welterweight): Some might make an argument for Pacquiao’s rival Juan Manuel Marquez to take the spot, and I wouldn’t put up too much of a fight, but it’s not the argument I’d make. It’s my personal opinion that Pacquiao and Marquez should be 1-1 against each other right now, but the record says Pacquiao’s 1-0-1 against Marquez. And as good as Marquez was this weekend, Pacquiao still has an overall better career resume. Only losing to Ricky Hatton in May can drop him from the #1 spot, really, and winning would put more distance between #1 and #2. Manny’s the best. He’s likely going to stay that way at least until he fights Floyd Mayweather, Miguel Cotto, Marquez again or Shane Mosley, and even then he could just as easily sweep that fearsome foursome. Which is not the same as saying it would be easy. read more

Filed under: Bernard Hopkins, Israel Vazquez, Jermain Taylor, Juan Manuel Marquez, Kelly Pavlik, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto, Nate Campbell, Rafael Marquez, Ricky Hatton, shane mosley, Vic Darchinyan

Doghouse Boxing’s Top 20 Pound-for-Pound Fighters

By German Villasenor

1. Manny Pacquiao (Super Lightweight – 140 lb.)
Heir to Floyd Mayweather, spot further solidified with domination of De La Hoya, retirement of Calzaghe.

2. Juan Manuel Marquez (Lightweight – 135 lb.)
Recent stoppage of lineal champion Casamayor in first bout at lightweight, along with close fight with Pac-man last year, clearly deserving of number two on my list.

3. Bernard Hopkins (Light Heavyweight – 175 lb.)
Fought about even with Calzaghe (formerly number 2 on my list) though in a losing effort, went on to dominate previously unbeaten Kelly Pavlik.

read more

Filed under: Antonio Margarito, Bernard Hopkins, Israel Vazquez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Kelly Pavlik, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Rafael Marquez, Ricky Hatton, shane mosley, Vic Darchinyan

FREDDIE ROACH AND THE WILD CARD GYM (PART II)

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By Maloney L. Samaco

Freddie Roach was born on March 5, 1960 in Dedham, Massachusetts and he will be turning 49 next month. There were seven kids in their family and his dad was an ex-pro fighter who wanted his children to become boxers also.

Roach’s first fight was when he was about six years old and he joined his first tournament at the age of eight and won the Junior Olympic 50-pound division. He had 50 amateur fights and lost nine. Roach turned pro in 1978. read more

Filed under: Amir Khan, Ana Julaton, Battle of East and West, Bernard Hopkins, Freddie Roach, Israel Vazquez, James "Lights Out" Toney, Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao, Oscar de la Hoya, Wild Card Gym

The top 5 pound-for-pound fighters

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By Dan Rafael

1. Manny Pacquiao – Lightweight titlist, Age: 30 | Record: 48-3-2, 36 KOs
Hits: Let’s put the drama of the negotiations aside and recognize that Pacquiao once again will participate in the fight boxing fans want to see, a May 2 showdown with junior welterweight champ Ricky Hatton. And if Pacquiao, the 2008 ESPN.com fighter of the year, wins, he will claim a title in his sixth division — four of which will have been the lineal championship. If he pulls it off, it will be an amazing accomplishment.

Misses: Once again, putting a Pacquiao fight together was filled with all sorts of unnecessary chaos. Pacquiao is the Drama King of boxing, but it’s getting a little old. We prefer our drama inside the ring, not outside of it. read more

Filed under: Battle of East and West, Bernard Hopkins, Israel Vazquez, Juan Manuel Marquez, Manny Pacquiao, Oscar de la Hoya, Ricky Hatton, shane mosley

Q&A: Israel Vazquez!

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By Alexey Potapov

What’s the latest news?
I’m doing good. I’ve been relaxing and trying to get better so I can get back in the ring and fight for all my fans.

Many fans of boxing were awed by your fights against Rafael Marquez. It was three entertaining and thrilling fights. Do you wish to meet him once again it in the ring?

Rafael Marquez and I made history together. We fought the greatest trilogy ever. I think we gave boxing fans all over the world something to cheer about. And I would most certainly do it again. We are both warriors. read more

Filed under: Israel Vazquez, Manny Pacquiao, pacman, pacmonster, Rafael Marquez, Vic Darchinyan