 2005's Final Pound for Pound List
By David A. Avila (December 23, 2005) Photo © German Villasenor
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Who has made the cut in the final pound for pound list of 2005? Is it Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather or Winky Wright at number one? And where do middleweight standouts Jermain Taylor and Bernard Hopkins fit into the mix? It’s been an interesting year in the fight game, but the cream always rises to the top.
1. Floyd Mayweather Jr., junior welterweight, (35-0, 24 KOs) - Though Pretty Boy Floyd hasn't fought a dangerous opponent in years, he's the new king of boxing. Expect an announcement of a fight with welterweight champion Zab Judah soon. Word has it Mayweather will face Judah in April in Las Vegas. That fight will make the speedy Mayweather a household name.
2. Winky Wright, middleweight, (50-3, 25 KOs) - It wasn't a surprise that Wright went the distance with Sam Soliman for a win. Now comes the real test when he faces Jermain Taylor for the middleweight championship. If Wright can beat Taylor, that will truly be an accomplishment and a money-maker.
3. Marco Antonio Barrera, junior lightweight (61-4, 42 KOs) - Not since Barrera faced Manny Pacquiao has the Mexico City fighter faced such a daunting task as the scheduled meeting with Jesus Chavez. The Texas fighter may prove too strong for Barrera but experience and technique may win the fight for Barrera that is expected to take place on March 25.
4. Manny Pacquiao, junior lightweight (40-3-2, 32 KOs) - Pacman is already preparing for his rematch with Erik Morales and my sources say he looks stronger than ever. Strength may not be enough against Morales, who used his experience and skills to beat the Filipino bomber in their first fight. But with Freddie Roach in his corner expect some big changes.
5. Jermain Taylor, middleweight (25-0, 17 KOs) – Arkansas’ favorite athlete proved that youth, strength and willpower could prevail when he managed another win over Bernard Hopkins. Though it was identical to the first controversial win, he still managed to evade defeat. Now he faces another big threat in Winky Wright this spring. Taylor gets no rest.
6. Bernard Hopkins, middleweight (46-4-1, 32 KOs) - It's been a great career for Hopkins, who is a cinch for the Hall of Fame when he retires, probably in January. The big question for Hopkins is whether he'll make his parting fight in January as promised. Losing that second fight to Taylor wasn't part of the script for the great Philly fighter.
7. James Toney, heavyweight (69-4-2, 43 KOs) - With Vitali Klitschko retiring, the WBC title is in the hands of Hasim Rahman, and Toney has been declared the mandatory opponent for ‘The Rock’, who was given the title. It's time for Toney to collect the coveted heavyweight title he's craved since beating Evander Holyfield two years ago.
8. Jose Luis Castillo, junior welterweight (53-7-1, 47 KOs) - The fighter known as "El Terrible" is set to fight Diego Corrales once again, this time in El Paso, Texas. Castillo said win or lose this is his last fight as a 135-pound lightweight. He's training in the Otomi Mountains.
9. Antonio Tarver, light heavyweight (24-3, 18 KOs) - Right now Tarver is busy filming Rocky 6 with Sylvester Stallone. He plays a fighter named Mason Dixon, a Roy Jones-like fighter who's never been severely tested. It’s ironic that it was Tarver who finally tested and bested the great Jones. Too bad they didn't fight two years earlier. That would have been a fight.
10. Diego Corrales, lightweight (40-3, 33 KOs) - Corrales is one of the few fighters in the world whose popularity soared despite a knockout loss. Is it any wonder why? Corrales still gives Castillo props for his win and seems anxious to face the dangerous Mexican fighter once again. Though Castillo will probably be a big favorite, you can't count out Corrales and the firepower he carries.
Boxing Chatter
Rumors from various boxing circles say WBC junior welterweight title-holder Floyd Mayweather Jr. will move up in weight to face welterweight champion Zab Judah some time in April, possibly at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. First Judah must pass by Argentina's Carlos Baldomir at Madison Square Garden in New York City on Jan. 7. Judah holds the IBF, WBC and WBA titles he won by knockout victory over Cory Spinks earlier in the year."I'm going out there to show that I'm the best," said Judah by telephone. "I'm looking for the big match-up and big showdown with Pretty Girl Floyd Mayweather."
A fight card in China featuring Riverside's Jose Lopez is being negotiated by Thompson Boxing Promotions for early February said Alex Camponovo, a spokesman for the boxing outfit. "We'll take the whole team out there," said Camponovo. The fight card would take place in Beijing on Feb. 7. If the overseas adventure falls short, the card would take place later in the month at the Doubletree Hotel in Ontario, California.
Cameron Dunkin, manager of Mark Suarez, Brandon Rios and many other prominent professional fighters, said Steve Luevano will be returning to the ring soon against a grade B fighter since losing to Martin Honorio in a televised fight. "Steve had never fought someone like that before, a guy who head butts and roughhouses," Dunkin said. "To his credit, he didn't complain but was sorry he didn't get it done." It was Luevano's first loss after 29 consecutive wins. "Steve likes to fight clean and that guy didn't let him.
He learned his lesson," Dunkin said.
Former IFBA junior bantamweight title-holder Mariana Juarez is scheduled to fight in late January against Ana Maria Torres in Cancun, Mexico. The pretty Mexican fighter now living in Southern California will be facing Torres for the fourth time. Torres has two wins over Juarez. Their last fight ended in a draw. "I outboxed her but the fans wanted her to win because she fights aggressively. That's the way Mexicans think fighters should always fight," said Juarez. This is the third time the fight has been scheduled. Destruction by the Hurricane Wilma forced two postponements.
Heavyweight Chris Arreola will be moving up to stiffer competition this year, said Henry Ramirez, who trains the Riverside prizefighter. In his last fight, Arreola defeated Dominic Jenkins after falling behind on points. "It showed he has a lot of heart. You can't teach that," said Ramirez. Possible opponents for Arreola include Travis Walker and Malcolm Tann.
Filming of "Rocky 6" has begun starring Sylvester Stallone once again as the main character Rocky Balboa. Others in the movie are Burt Young, once again replaying his role as Paulie, and a slew of real boxers such as Antonio Tarver and Johnny "Yahya" McClain. The movie is slated to open on February 2007. Look for yours truly in a role as one of several boxing journalists during a press conference in the movie. That's if they don't cut it out of the film.
Local fight cards
Maywood's Urbano Antillon meets Fernando Trejo in a 10-round lightweight bout at Sycuan Resort and Casino tonight. Also on the star-studded fight card will be Jorge Paez Jr. in a lightweight bout. The son of Maromero has been knocking out all opponents. Others on the card include Anthony "The Messenger" Thompson (19-1) and Rey Baustista (18-0) in separate bouts. For more information call (619) 445-6002. The first bout begins at 5:15 p.m.
Fights on television
Fri. Telefutura, 9 p.m., Urbano Antillon (16-0) vs. Fernando Trejo (25-9-4).
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