Did you know who are the top ten best boxers of the decade?
1. Manny Pacquiao
From his breakout performance against Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in 2001 to his career-best knockout win over Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao improved every time he stepped in the ring. During the decade, he captured titles in seven divisions, four of them linear divisional titles. He defeated three of the names on this list and next has a shot at a fourth when he takes on Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a fight that is estimated to set earnings records. Pacquiao has a 52 wins, 38 by knockout, 2 loses and 2 draws record.
2. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Undefeated in 13 years as a professional, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has proven himself the most complete fighter in the world over the last quarter century. A five-division champion with wins over Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Zab Judah, Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales, Mayweather now aims to cement himself as one of the greatest fighters of all time with a win over Manny Pacquiao.
3. Bernard Hopkins
If longevity is the mark of a champion, then Bernard Hopkins is Undisputed. Soon to be 44 years old early in 2010, he got his big break by knocking out an undefeated Felix Trinidad in 2001. Hopkins proceeded to record 20 defenses of the middleweight title before his streak was ended with two razor-thin losses to Jermain Taylor. Hopkins then beat linear light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver before losing his second divisional title to Joe Calzaghe.
4. Marco Antonio Barrera
Entering the year 2000, Marco Antonio Barrera was considered past his best. But after taking an undefeated Erik Morales to the limit, altering his style from brawler to technician and outclassing an undefeated Prince Naseem Hamed, he never looked better. Barrera went on to win a classic trilogy against Morales.
5. Juan Manuel Marquez
Incorporating more brawling into his scientific approach to boxing, Marquez won the hearts of the Mexican people by nearly getting the best of Manny Pacquiao on two occasions and coming out on top in wars with Marco Antonio Barrera, Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz.
6. Miguel Cotto
Unlike the other names on this list, Miguel Cotto’s entire career has taken place in the 2000s. And with only two losses, one against a man much higher up on this list, his career has been a steady one highlighted by hard-fought wins against Zab Judah, Shane Mosley and Joshua Clottey.
7. Joe Calzaghe
One of only two undefeated fighters on the list, Joe Calzaghe ended his career in 2008 after racking up 21 successful defenses of the super middleweight title. He beat Bernard Hopkins for the light heavyweight crown but a lack of formidable opponents at 168 pounds and a failure to land fights with top light heavyweights like Roy Jones Jr. – who was far past his best when Calzaghe fought him – keep Joe from a higher rating, but his talent is not questioned.
8. Winky Wright
Winky Wright had a hard time breaking out of anonymity in the 90s but he kept at his craft and carved out his own niche at junior middleweight while awaiting his opportunity. When the time arrived, he came up big with wins over Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad before dropping decisions to a bigger Bernard Hopkins and the awkward, high volume puncher Paul Williams.
9. Shane Mosley
Coming into the new millennium, Shane Mosley was recognized as the best lightweight in the world. He got his first taste of the big time in 2000 with a win over Oscar De La Hoya and never looked back. Never one to back away from a fight, Mosley has taken on the best the sport has to offer.
10. Wladimir Klitschko
In the wake of Lennox Lewis’ retirement, Wladimir suffered major setbacks but still emerged from one of the more drab eras in heavyweight history as the most skilled and consistent heavyweight in the world. Klitschko seized two of the belts from the fractured heavyweight crown – the closest anyone has come to unifying and giving boxing its first undisputed heavyweight king since Lewis.
1. Manny Pacquiao
From his breakout performance against Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in 2001 to his career-best knockout win over Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao improved every time he stepped in the ring. During the decade, he captured titles in seven divisions, four of them linear divisional titles. He defeated three of the names on this list and next has a shot at a fourth when he takes on Floyd Mayweather Jr. in a fight that is estimated to set earnings records. Pacquiao has a 52 wins, 38 by knockout, 2 loses and 2 draws record.
2. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Undefeated in 13 years as a professional, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has proven himself the most complete fighter in the world over the last quarter century. A five-division champion with wins over Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, Zab Judah, Jose Luis Castillo and Diego Corrales, Mayweather now aims to cement himself as one of the greatest fighters of all time with a win over Manny Pacquiao.
3. Bernard Hopkins If longevity is the mark of a champion, then Bernard Hopkins is Undisputed. Soon to be 44 years old early in 2010, he got his big break by knocking out an undefeated Felix Trinidad in 2001. Hopkins proceeded to record 20 defenses of the middleweight title before his streak was ended with two razor-thin losses to Jermain Taylor. Hopkins then beat linear light heavyweight champion Antonio Tarver before losing his second divisional title to Joe Calzaghe.
4. Marco Antonio BarreraEntering the year 2000, Marco Antonio Barrera was considered past his best. But after taking an undefeated Erik Morales to the limit, altering his style from brawler to technician and outclassing an undefeated Prince Naseem Hamed, he never looked better. Barrera went on to win a classic trilogy against Morales.
5. Juan Manuel MarquezIncorporating more brawling into his scientific approach to boxing, Marquez won the hearts of the Mexican people by nearly getting the best of Manny Pacquiao on two occasions and coming out on top in wars with Marco Antonio Barrera, Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz.
6. Miguel Cotto
Unlike the other names on this list, Miguel Cotto’s entire career has taken place in the 2000s. And with only two losses, one against a man much higher up on this list, his career has been a steady one highlighted by hard-fought wins against Zab Judah, Shane Mosley and Joshua Clottey.
7. Joe Calzaghe
One of only two undefeated fighters on the list, Joe Calzaghe ended his career in 2008 after racking up 21 successful defenses of the super middleweight title. He beat Bernard Hopkins for the light heavyweight crown but a lack of formidable opponents at 168 pounds and a failure to land fights with top light heavyweights like Roy Jones Jr. – who was far past his best when Calzaghe fought him – keep Joe from a higher rating, but his talent is not questioned.
8. Winky Wright
Winky Wright had a hard time breaking out of anonymity in the 90s but he kept at his craft and carved out his own niche at junior middleweight while awaiting his opportunity. When the time arrived, he came up big with wins over Shane Mosley and Felix Trinidad before dropping decisions to a bigger Bernard Hopkins and the awkward, high volume puncher Paul Williams.
9. Shane Mosley
Coming into the new millennium, Shane Mosley was recognized as the best lightweight in the world. He got his first taste of the big time in 2000 with a win over Oscar De La Hoya and never looked back. Never one to back away from a fight, Mosley has taken on the best the sport has to offer.
10. Wladimir Klitschko
In the wake of Lennox Lewis’ retirement, Wladimir suffered major setbacks but still emerged from one of the more drab eras in heavyweight history as the most skilled and consistent heavyweight in the world. Klitschko seized two of the belts from the fractured heavyweight crown – the closest anyone has come to unifying and giving boxing its first undisputed heavyweight king since Lewis.
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