by Jeremy "Fasttalker" Bjornberg - 07/19/2005
1. Floyd Mayweather Jr. -- Floyd is undoubtedly the most talented fighter in boxing. Floyd also has an incredible work ethic and the rare ability to step it up to another notch when he has to. Although his victory over Gatti was expected to be easy, Floyd pitched a no-hitter and never even broke a sweat. Floyd is not the champion at 140 yet, but he is still the best fighter in the world.
On agenda next: Hopefully an epic fight with Ricky Hatton, but more likely a match vs. Miguel Cotto.
2. Bernard Hopkins -- Sure I called the upset by Jermain Taylor, but the bottom line is I scored it a draw. Hopkins could have won easy if he had done anything in the first 6 rounds. Taylor may have won on points but he didn't beat Hard Nard in any of the championship rounds. Nard does slip from top spot because he was too patient in the first half of the Taylor fight.
On agenda next: Immediate rematch with Jermain Taylor.
3. Marco Antonio Barrera -- Barrera beat Morales and annihilated Mzonke Fana in his last two fights. Barrera and Morales are interchangeable at four and five but Barrera deserves the nod for beating Morales two of three.
On agenda next: September 17 unification bout with Robbie Peden
4. Winky Wright -- Winky has beaten Shane Mosley twice and Felix Trinidad once in his last three fights. My only question about Wright was whether he was able to win those fights because he was naturally bigger than both fighters. Winky wasn't as dominant vs. average 154 pounders so the question is whether Shane and Tito were taken advantage of as former welterweights.
On agenda next: Ouma, Taylor and Hopkins are out as opponents. Felix Sturm and Ike Quartey might be possibilities.
5. Eric Morales -- Morales out boxed Manny Pacquiao in March and will next be featured in a twin bill with Manny before they rematch. Morales has only lost two close fights to arch rival Barrera, and he has never been embarrassed or knocked down cleanly.
On agenda next: Tough fight against Zahir Raheem on Sept. 10, then rematch with Pacquiao.
6. Diego Corrales -- Diego stopped Jose Luis Castillo in the fight of the decade last time out. Corrales also made undefeated Acelino Freitas say 'no mas' before the come-from-behind victory over Castillo. Diego is the truest warrior in boxing and his last few fights prove he is back on top.
On agenda next: Rematch on Oct. 8 against Castillo. As much as I am drooling over this brawl wish these guys would take more time off to heal.
7. Ricky Hatton -- Hatton shocked me when he beat down Kostya Tszyu but I do suspect rabbit punching had something to do with it. Regardless, Kostya was no stickler for the rules himself. Hatton is 39-0 and with a clean-cut victory over my previous No. 2 I had to put him here.
On agenda next: Mayweather Jr.? More likely a hometown defense against say a Chop Chop Corley.
8. Zab Judah -- I put Hatton above Zab because when he stepped it up to Kostya he was prepared. When Zab fought Kostya he forgot to bring his game plan. However he has rebounded well, but I don't feel beating Cory Spinks was anything too special.
On agenda next: Defense against Sharmba Mitchell on Sept. 3.
9. Rafeal Marquez -- Marquez has won 13 straight including KOs over undefeated Tim Austin and Mark "Too Sharp" Johnson. Marquez is also one of boxing's biggest punchers and is undoubtedly the champ at 118.
On agenda next: Nothing scheduled but moving up to 122 to fight Larios has been discussed.
10. Antonio Tarver -- Tarver beat Glen Johnson in their rematch and would have won easily the first time out had he been prepared. Tarver's KO of Roy Jones will always go a long way towards earning this spot.
On agenda next: Rematch with Roy Jones? More likely Joe Calzaghe or Clinton Woods.
Close and coming soon: Jermain Taylor was tough but he is yet to win a championship round in my book. Antonio Margarito and Manny Pacquiao were close calls. Coming soon could be Daniel Santos, Joan Guzman, Jose Luis Castillo and Juan Manuel Marquez. James Toney was not an option, by now he may be up to 300 pounds and that puts him in a different pound category.
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