The Boxing Bulletin Pound 4 Pound Top 25: Pacquiao Still Reigns

We're down to the final 5 of our year end Top 25 P4P list.

As we mentioned at the start of the countdown, these lists are just for fun.  We certainly don't take the rankings too seriously, but enjoy debating where each fighter deserves to be ranked, so please feel free to participate and offer up your opinions of our rankings, or even your own P4P lists.

For previous instalments, check out the following links... 25-21, 20-16, 15-11 and 10-6.

Let's get to the top 5...

#5 Chad Dawson

Record 2007-2009: 7-0 (4 KO)

Previous Result: UD over Glen Johnson

Up next: Possibly Jean Pascal in June

He recorded clear cut decision victories over Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson in 2009, the same pair of grizzled veterans he recorded wins over in 2008.  The Tarver rematch was just about a mirror image of the previous year's meeting, but the Johnson rematch was a marked improvement for Dawson.  Dawson was stung repeatedly by Johnson in their first go round, buzzed on a few occasions, and in the eyes of many fans, fortunate to win the bout - but was in command of the rematch throughout.

Dawson has been lobbying for a showdown with Bernard Hopkins, but it appears the old man is chasing bigger money bouts.  Instead it appears that a match-up with Canadian Jean Pascal is far more likely, with the bout possibly taking place in June.

#4 Shane Mosley

Record 2007-2009: 3-1 (2 KO)

Previous Result: TKO9 over Antonio Margarito

Up next: Andre Berto on January 30

Despite starting the year off with a dominating stoppage victory of iron jawed Antonio Margarito, 2009 was a frustrating year for Sugar Shane.  Mosley hoped to cash in on the Margarito performance with a mega-fight, but neither Pacquiao or Mayweather ever appeared too interested.  Eventually a bout with Joshua Clottey was arranged, only to fall through due to HBO scheduling issues, leaving Mosley on the shelf for the remainder of the year.

After all the disappointments, Mosley managed  to secure a fight with Andre Berto for the end of January.  It's not the fight he was hoping for, but it's a significant welterweight clash, and a win just might lead to the coveted showdown against either Manny or Floyd later in 2010.

#3 Bernard Hopkins

Record 2007-2009: 3-1 (0 KO)

Previous Result: UD over Enrique Ornelas

Up next: Possibly Danny Green

Thankfully Hopkins no longer has his sights set on a Roy Jones rematch.  That's a bit of good news for those hoping to see meaningful fights, but turning his attention towards Danny Green isn't going to excite most fans.  Certainly not with names like Lucian Bute, Chad Dawson and Tomasz Adamek being bandied about as willing opponents.

Given his age, one can't blame Hopkins if he chooses to chase the money instead of more meaningful fights.  He's earned that right.  But unless he fights someone perceived as a real threat in the near future, lists like this one are going to have a hard time justifying his inclusion... especially this high.

#2 Floyd Mayweather

Record 2007-2009: 3-0 (1 KO)

Previous Result: UD over Juan Manuel Marquez

Up Next: Manny Pacquiao on March 13

In "retirement" for all of 2008, it was no shock to see Mayweather back in action this year, although the choice of lightweight champ Juan Manuel Marquez was a little surprising.  Still despite the size edge Floyd enjoyed, even his critics had to admit this was a quality opponent to return against after a lengthy lay-off, and the dominating manner in which Floyd won was also impressive.

Right now, it would be nice to say that everything is official, and Mayweather will be taking on Manny Pacquiao in March, but of course that's not the case.  Stay tuned for the continuation of that mess...

#1 Manny Pacquiao

Record 2007-2009: 7-0 (5 KO)

Previous Result: TKO12 over Miguel Cotto

Up Next: Floyd Mayweather on March 13

Unquestionably 2009's best fighter, Pacquiao finished the year where he started, as the number 1 man in the sport.  Two fights - two dominating performances.  A 2 round blow-out of Ricky Hatton, the world's top rated junior-welter, followed by a methodical hammering of Miguel Cotto, one of the world's best at 147.  Just exceptional stuff from the brilliant Filipino southpaw.

If a Mayweather fight doesn't develop, reports suggest that either Paulie Malignaggi or Yuri Foreman are most likely next in line for Pacquiao.  Few fans would be satisfied by either choice, and let's just hope it doesn't come to that.

Let's take a look at the overall list...

1. Manny Pacquiao
2. Floyd Mayweather
3. Bernard Hopkins
4. Shane Mosley
5. Chad Dawson
6. Juan Manuel Marquez
7. Timothy Bradley
8. Paul Williams
9. Arthur Abraham
10. Lucian Bute
11. Sergio Martinez
12. Hozumi Hasegawa
13. Carl Froch
14. Juan Manuel Lopez
15. Ivan Calderon
16. David Haye
17. Andre Ward
18. Jean Pascal
19. Nonito Donaire
20. Chris John
21. Israel Vasquez
22. Rafael Marquez
23. Vic Darchinyan
24. Celestino Caballero
25. Kelly Pavlik

Just missing the cut...

Humberto Soto, Wladimir Klitschko, Nate Campbell, Miguel Cotto & Tomasz Adamek

Also receiving votes...

Joshua Clottey, Koki Kameda, Vitali Klitschko, Mikkel Kessler, Omar Narvaez, Fernando Montiel, Joseph Agbeko, Edwin Valero, Robert Guerrero & Yohnny Perez