15rounds.com: Top 10 Pound for Pound Boxers

1. Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather has finally achieved superstar status in the sport and is now probably the biggest name next to none other than Oscar De La Hoya. High-profile PPV victories over Arturo Gatti and Zab Judah in the past year have brought him to that level. HBO has set November 4th aside for "Pretty Boy" to face a fighter to be announced. The frontrunner seems to be WBC titlist Carlos Baldomir, who now draws more interest since the tough Argentinean has shown that he is not a fluke with his dismantling of Gatti. If Mayweather gets by that foe, whether it is Baldomir or someone else, he then hopes to lure De La Hoya into a mega fight by early 2007. Floyd Mayweather Sr., who trains "The Golden Boy", has already stated he would work Oscar's corner if the fight happens. That alone creates drama and excitement before the opening bell sounds. A fight of this magnitude is what the sport of boxing has longed for; let's hope we can see it! Next Fight: Nov. 4 vs. TBA

2. Winky Wright

Wright thought he had earned a decision against middleweight king Jermain Taylor in their June showdown in Memphis, but Wright was wrong as the judges scored it a draw. A distraught Wright said after the fight he does not want a rematch because of the poor decision. A big-money offer might have Wright reconsider as the middleweight division lacks star power outside of these two. Other options might include the winner of the IBF title fight between Arthur Abraham and Edison Miranda or maybe even knockout artist Kelly Pavlick. Winky remains No. 2 after a strong showing against Taylor. Next Fight: TBA

3. Manny Pacquiao

Manny brought the show over to his homeland in the Philippines a few weeks ago and beat up on former junior featherweight champ Oscar Larios. The easy win in Manila has now set up a rubber match in November with Erik Morales. If the third fight is as exciting as the first two it could be mentioned as one of the best trilogies in recent boxing history. With God-like status in the Philippines, Pac-man has become a worldwide superstar with his two wars against Morales and an easy TKO victory over Marco Antonio Barrera. With a second victory over "El Terrible", Pacquiao will be the clear-cut No. 1 junior lightweight in the world. Next Fight: Nov. 18 vs. Erik Morales

4. Marco Antonio Barrera

Barrera won a harder than expected split decision over Rocky Juarez back in May. The fight was originally announced as a draw but moments later it was discovered that the scorecard was tallied wrong and when everything was corrected Barrera won a razor-thin split decision. The rematch is set for September 16th and promises to be another barnburner. Next Fight: Sept. 16 vs. Rocky Juarez

5. Ricky Hatton

Hatton received a very unfriendly welcome to the welterweight division as slick southpaw Luis Collazo gave "The Hitman" a beating like no one ever has. Although Hatton won the WBA title by squeaking out a very close and controversial unanimous decision. The newly crowned Hatton might defend his welterweight title against mandatory challenger Otkay Urkal in December or move back down to regain his 140-pound belt that he vacated earlier this year. Hatton still remains one of the best fighters in the world might may have a better chance to keep that position at 140 than at 147. A Hatton-Jose Luis Castillo fight would be one for the ages. Next Fight: TBA

6. Jose Luis Castillo

For the second time in a row Jose Luis Castillo did not make weight before fighting Diego Corrales. This time Corrales was smart enough not to take the fight after he was knocked out by Castillo, who came in 3½ pounds over the lightweight limit. Hopefully Castillo can erase the embarrassment and unprofessional manner by making his mark at junior welterweight. Castillo still appears on our list based on his last victory over Corrales and a very impressive resumé throughout his career. Next Fight: TBA

7. Rafael Marquez

Marquez will find himself fighting Silence Mabuza once again. In their last outing Marquez silenced Mabuza by handing him his first loss with a fourth-round stoppage. Mabuza won an IBF eliminator in April, the reason for the rematch. The No. 1 bantamweight in the world has enough power to move up to junior featherweight, where more lucrative fights await like the winner of Isreal Vasquez and Jhonny Gonzalez, who will battle in September. Maybe we can see Marquez face the winner by early 2007. Next Fight: Sept. 16 vs. Silence Mabuza

8. Jermain Taylor

After a draw with Winky Wright in June and no talks of a rematch, discussions have now turned to The Contender winner Sergio Mora. A fight with Mora would probably draw attention from the success of the show but should be an easy victory for Taylor. Taylor can use a soft fight after fighting Hopkins twice and Winky Wright within a year. Taylor-Wright rematch talks should resurface by the end of the year. Next Fight: TBA

9. Joe Calzaghe

A fight with Glen Johnson fell through after the oft-injured Calzaghe pulled out with a severe back injury. Now with the Johnson fight off the shelf probably for good, Calzaghe could look in the direction of fighting the winner of the unification bout this October between Mikkel Kessler and Markus Beyer. Allan Green and Peter Manfredo also are possible opponents for the super middleweight kingpin. The Pride of Wales silenced many critics after dismantling Jeff Lacy earlier this year. Next Fight: TBA

10. Diego Corrales

Corrales will return to the ring in October for a rubber match with Joel Casamayor, who recently called "Chico" out on Friday Night Fights. By the time this fight happens it will be one year since Corrales has fought because of the Castillo weight debacle a few months ago. Corrales can move on from Castillo because of the talent-rich lightweight division which includes Casamayor, Juan Diaz, Julio Diaz and Acelino Freitas. Next Fight: Oct. 7 vs. Joel Casamayor

Honorable mention: Israel Vasquez, Chris John, O’Neil Bell, Joel Casamayor and Glen Johnson.