Originally Published: June 14, 2006
June top fighters by division
What changes were made in the weight class rankings for June? Dan Rafael reveals his new world standings.
Check out my rankings within each boxing division by clicking on the links below. The rankings will resume being updated on the second Thursday of each month.
Who is the world's best fighter, regardless of weight class? See my pound-for-pound rankings 
.
Note: Results through June 15:
1. Wladimir Klitschko (46-3) With a title-winning knockout of Chris Byrd now in the rearview mirror, Klitschko and his team are working on putting together his first defense for November. But will he face James Toney? Calvin Brock? Someone else? And will it be on HBO or long shot ABC? We'll have to wait and see. Next: TBA. 2. Hasim Rahman (41-5-2) With the promotion in full swing for his summer defense against Oleg Maskaev, how many times do you think Rahman will be subjected to questions about the night Maskaev knocked him clear out of the ring with a massive right hand in their first meeting? Next: Aug. 12 vs. Maskaev. 3. James Toney (69-4-3) Since his pathetic conditioning for the title fight against Rahman in March, Toney's name comes up as a possible opponent for every top heavyweight -- Klitschko, Samuel Peter, Nicolay Valuev, Sergei Liakhovich, you name it. The reason: They all think at his age (37) combined with the wear and tear, he's ready to be taken. Next: TBA. 4. Sergei Liakhovich (23-1) There is talk that he could headline on Showtime Sept. 2, but nothing is definite and there is no opponent. After the performance he put on in winning a belt against Lamon Brewster, Liakhovich deserves the spotlight on a major boxing telecast. Next: TBA. 5. Lamon Brewster (33-3) Happy birthday to the former titlist, who turned 33 on June 5. The best present he can possibly get is a clean bill of health on the detached retina he suffered against Liakhovich in April. Next: TBA. 6. Chris Byrd (39-3-1) After getting smashed by Klitschko and losing his title in their April rematch, Byrd is entitled to a nice, long rest while he ponders his ring future. We don't expect to see him back in action before the end of the year. Next: TBA. 7. Nicolay Valuev (44-0) HBO is clearing a September date for a card in the United States to be headlined by the 7-foot, 330-pound Russian giant to make his second title defense. Unfortunately, Kevin McBride is the potential opponent most often mentioned as a possibility. That would be horrific, considering Valuev already had a gimme in his first defense on June 3, when he annihilated undeserving Owen Beck in three lopsided rounds. Next: Sept. 9 vs. TBA. 8. John Ruiz (41-6-1) With the WBA making him its No. 1 contender, Ruiz probably will get the eventual rematch with Valuev that he has wanted since losing a very close decision and the title to him in December. Next: TBA. 9. Calvin Brock (28-0) If the former U.S. Olympian takes care of fellow undefeated contender Timur Ibragimov (21-0-1) on HBO's "Boxing After Dark," Brock could find himself challenging Klitschko this fall. Next: June 24 vs. Ibragimov. 10. Samuel Peter (26-1) Showtime is dangling a two-fight deal in front of Peter for fights in July and September, but HBO also wants him on an Aug. 5 card. It's no surprise considering that Peter is the most dynamic puncher in the division and everyone loves a heavyweight knockout artist. Next: TBA. | ||||||
1. O'Neil Bell (26-1-1) Became undisputed champion with his January knockout of Jean-Marc Mormeck. But then he was stripped of one his belts by the repugnant IBF and hasn't fought since the Mormeck bout (and nothing is in the works). Way to capitalize on becoming the only man other than Evander Holyfield ever to claim the undisputed cruiserweight title. Next: TBA. 2. Guillermo Jones (33-3-2) Eventually, he is supposed to meet Steve Cunningham for the belt ridiculously stripped from Bell. When? Where? Anyone's guess. Next: TBA. 3. Steve Cunningham (19-0) Cunningham was supposed to fight Jones in the spring for the belt stripped from Bell, but he was unhappy with the money offered by promoter Don King. So now there is supposed to be another purse bid. What makes Cunningham think the offer will be more this time around? Since neither guy is well-known -- Cunningham has never even been on TV -- the fight is worth very little. Cunningham needs to make the best deal he can, go win the belt (even if it is the one doled out by the rancid IBF) and try to capitalize after that, not before. Next: TBA. 4. Johnny Nelson (45-12-2) Nelson is 39, has been a pro for 20 years and is rehabilitating a knee injury. It's pretty obvious the end is near, but he may have one more fight left in him; he is expected to face rising Welsh star Enzo Maccarinelli at the end of the year. Next: TBA vs. Maccarinelli. 5. Jean-Marc Mormeck (31-3) The former unified champ lost his belts via knockout to Bell in January and is ready to make his return on the undercard of the Roman Karmazin-Cory Spinks junior middleweight title fight in St. Louis. Next: July 8 vs. TBA. 6. Dale Brown (35-4-1) The longtime contender will open an upcoming ESPN2 card headlined by Juan Urango vs. Naoufel Ben Rabah for a vacant junior welterweight belt. Next: June 30 vs. Shane Swartz. 7. Virgil Hill (50-5) The 42-year-old titleholder had been penciled in to fight on the same July 29 pay-per-view "legends" card with Roy Jones Jr., but Hill was unable to come to terms and is no longer on the show. Next: TBA. 8. Wayne Braithwaite (21-2) It's been nine months since he was knocked out by Guillermo Jones, his second loss in a row, and he might be off licking his wounds, because there hasn't been any discussion about a comeback fight for the former titlist. Next: TBA. 9. Carl Thompson (34-6) We may have seen the last of "The Cat" -- talk in England is that Thompson, who turned 42 in May, is planning to retire after an 18-year pro career in which he engaged in numerous thrilling and brutal fights. Next: TBA. 10. David Haye (16-1) Exciting British puncher -- all of his wins are by knockout -- is set to make the second defense of the European title against Ismael Abdoul (27-9-1), a journeyman opponent from Belgium. Next: June 21 vs. Abdoul. | ||||||
1. Bernard Hopkins (47-4) What a brilliant performance against Antonio Tarver! Although the new champ announced his retirement following his historic and easy victory, Hopkins, 41, deserves recognition as the best light heavyweight in the world for at least a month. So in tribute to his Hall of Fame career, B-Hop is numero uno. Next: None 2. Glen Johnson (44-10-2) Think about this: As highly regarded as Johnson has been for the past couple of years since beating Roy Jones and splitting two close fights with Tarver, he was 32-0 when Hopkins stopped him in a 1997 middleweight title defense. That win looks pretty darn good on Hopkins' record now, doesn't it? Next: TBA. 3. Zsolt Erdei (24-0) Hungarian titlist is finally taking a potentially dangerous fight against Thomas Ulrich of Germany. It will be a big fight in Europe and Ulrich's second title shot, having previously been stopped in six rounds by Tomasz Adamek in October. Next: July 29 vs. Ulrich. 4. Tomasz Adamek (30-0) Exciting titlist is on ice because of a lawsuit against promoter Don King, which has led to threats that he could be stripped by the WBC. There is talk he might fight a non-title bout in his native Poland in August just to stay sharp while working through his promotional issues. Next: TBA. 5. Antonio Tarver (24-4) Was so thoroughly dominated by Hopkins it makes you think that maybe Tarver should join Hopkins in retirement. At 37, Tarver is no spring chicken and it sure looks as though his best days are long gone, especially after he shed more than 40 pounds to make weight to fight Hopkins. Next: TBA. 6. Roy Jones Jr. (49-4) From pound-for-pound king to a low-level pay-per-view fight in Boise, Idaho, against unknown Badi Ajamu. But even that massive fall from grace hasn't given Jones an iota of humility. He's still up to his old tricks, skipping the press conference to announce the bout at the last minute. Some things never change. Next: July 29 vs. Ajamu. 7. Clinton Woods (39-3-1) In a rematch as unnecessary as any in history, Woods drilled undeserving Jason DeLisle in six rounds to retain his belt. Next up should be a mandatory defense against Glen Johnson, who is already 1-0-1 (and the draw was bogus) against Woods. Next: TBA. 8. Fabrice Tiozzo (47-2) The inactive titleholder hasn't fought in 16 months, but he is scheduled to fight a non-title 10-rounder in France to get ready for a bigger title fight later in the year. Next: July 15 vs. TBA. 9. Julio Gonzalez (39-3) He's in good position for another title bout against the winner of the eventual Woods-Johnson III. So to stay ready, Gonzalez could take a small stay-busy bout on an untelevised July 20 card, but nothing is set yet. Next: TBA. 10. Paul Briggs (24-2) Although he is due for a mandatory rematch with Adamek, it's going to take a little while to put that together, so Briggs is taking a tune-up fight in his native Australia. Next: June 16 vs. Jose Alberto Clavero. | ||||||
1. Joe Calzaghe (41-0) As has often been the case during his career, Calzaghe is unable to seize any momentum. He was supposed to return from his sensational unification win against Jeff Lacy to make his HBO debut July 8. But another in a long line of injuries has forced him out of the fight and sidelined him until the fall. Next: TBA. 2. Mikkel Kessler (37-0) Danish slugger's third defense was supposed to be June 9 against Vitali Tsypko, but Kessler suffered an elbow injury. He needed surgery and will be sidelined for at least another month. But when he returns, he could face Markus Beyer in a fall unification bout, which is being discussed. Next: TBA. 3. Markus Beyer (34-2-1) May 13 title defense against Sakio Bika ended in a disappointing fourth-round technical draw after an accidental head butt opened a severe cut under Beyer's right eye. Next up, Beyer could get an exception to his mandatory (Librado Andrade) in order to face Kessler in a unification fight. Next: TBA. 4. Anthony Mundine (26-3) Defeated countryman Danny Green on a unanimous decision in one of the biggest fights in Australian history on May 17. The victory also earned Mundine an eventual rematch with Kessler. Next: TBA 5. Jeff Lacy (21-1) It will be very interesting to see how he performs in his return from the beating he took from Calzaghe in March. Will the loss shatter Lacy or will it make him more determined? Tune in to Showtime to find out. Next: Oct. 7 vs. TBA. 6. Librado Andrade (23-0) You probably haven't seen much of him because he has rarely been in televised bouts, but there is a reason the Calzaghe camp turned him down for a summer fight -- he's very good. Next: TBA. 7. Danny Green (21-3) The disappointment of losing such a heavily hyped showdown with Mundine has to be devastating and probably is forcing Green to think twice about continuing his career. He is now 2-2 in his last four fights. The victories are against scrubs while the losses are to Mundine and Beyer. Next: TBA. 8. Carl Froch (19-0) British and Commonwealth champ passed a big test as he came through with a career-best victory on May 26, an exciting 11th-round knockout of Brian Magee. Next: TBA. 9. Lucian Bute (17-0) The 6-foot-2 southpaw from Romania (but based in Canada) routed Lolenga Mock in an easy unanimous decision May 16. Bute keeps rolling along. Although we have seen him live and on tape, we'd love to see him get some exposure on ESPN2 or on Showtime's "ShoBox" series. Next: TBA. 10. Robin Reid (38-5-1) The former titlist hasn't fought since suffering a comprehensive eighth-round knockout loss to Lacy last August. Reid is obviously in no hurry to get back up on the horse. Next: TBA. | ||||||
1. Jermain Taylor (25-0) Don't those two wins against Bernard Hopkins, close or not, look a whole lot more impressive after seeing what Hopkins did to Antonio Tarver? If Taylor can get past Winky Wright in a very tough fight, he'll be entitled to an easy encore in front of his hometown fans in Little Rock, Ark. Next: June 17 vs. Wright. 2. Winky Wright (50-3) He came up big against Shane Mosley twice and came up huge when facing Felix Trinidad. Can he do it yet again with Taylor? It's a big, big fight, and thankfully, it's live on HBO -- not pay-per-view. Next: June 17 vs. Taylor. 3. Arthur Abraham (21-0) German-based Armenian's second defense was a competitive decision against rugged Kofi Jantuah on May 13. The victory sets the stage for Abraham to face mandatory challenger Edison Miranda this summer in a battle of big punchers. Next: TBA vs. Miranda. 4. Felix Sturm (25-1) Sturm defends his paper title for the first time against a most undeserving challenger, former junior middleweight champ Javier Castillejo of Spain. Here's what he's done to earn the fight: Lose a lopsided junior middleweight fight to Fernando Vargas and win two middleweight bouts against absurdly weak competition. Next: July 15 vs. Castillejo. 5. Sam Soliman (32-8) While awaiting his next ring assignment, Australian contender has been in India and Thailand to film scenes in an action movie in which he plays a boxer. Next: TBA. 6. Edison Miranda (26-0) His next fight will be this summer against Abraham for a paper title. The question is: Will it be in Germany, or will Miranda's promoters be able to bring it to the United States? Next: TBA vs. Abraham. 7. Kingsley Ikeke (23-2) "Sharp Knuckle" got a shot at fighting for a vacant belt in December and was dominated and knocked out by Abraham. Now, Golden Boy Promotions has released him from his promotional contract. Next: TBA. 8. Raymond Joval (35-4) According to manager Stan Hoffman, Joval is recovering nicely from a neck injury and has begun to work out in anticipation of fighting this summer. Next: TBA. 9. Kelly Pavlik (27-0) Pavlik will face past-his-prime former junior middleweight titlist Bronco McKart on the first card of Top Rank's new series of live monthly fights on OLN. Next: July 27 vs. Bronco McKart. 10. Howard Eastman (40-4) Yes, he's lost three in a row, but to the best -- Hopkins, Abraham and Miranda. His presence here shows just how weak the division is right once you get past the first few guys. Next: TBA. | ||||||
1. Roman Karmazin (34-1-1) Rugged Russian titleholder will have been out of the ring for 51 weeks by the time he makes his first defense against former welterweight champ Cory Spinks in a Showtime main event in Spinks' hometown of St. Louis. Next: July 8 vs. Spinks. 2. Kassim Ouma (24-2-1) Former titlist turned down a slot on the July 15 Mosley-Vargas II undercard because he couldn't be ready after such a grueling fight with Marco Antonio Rubio on May 6. Ouma would like to see Winky Wright beat Jermain Taylor because if he does, Ouma would have a good chance of being Wright's next opponent. Next: TBA. 3. Shane Mosley (42-4) Why exactly is there going to be a rematch between Mosley and Fernando Vargas? He beat Vargas cleanly in their first bout in February -- regardless of what Vargas says -- and there just doesn't seem to be a need for a second fight. Next: July 15 vs. Vargas. 4. Oscar De La Hoya (38-4) Will he or won't he? That's the biggest question in boxing as the Golden Boy struggles to decide whether he will fight one more time on Sept. 16 against pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. or retire on top after an exhilarating victory against Ricardo Mayorga on May 6. Decisions, decisions. Next: TBA. 5. Sergei Dzindziruk (32-0) Handily outpointed Sebastian Lujan May 27 in Germany in his first defense of the title he won against Daniel Santos in December. Next: TBA. 6. Fernando Vargas (26-3) Vargas' career as a viable contender and attraction could be on the line in his rematch with Mosley. As exciting and popular as Vargas has always been, eventually he has to win an important fight to maintain his position. Next: July 15 vs. Mosley. 7. Daniel Santos (29-3-1) Former titlist lost his belt to Dzindziruk in December and has not been heard from since. But given the fact that his promoter, Don King, handles several top fighters in the division, Santos could be back in the title hunt in short order. Next: TBA. 8. Jose Antonio Rivera (38-4-1) Former welterweight belt holder moved up to 154 pounds and put on a terrific performance in front of his hometown fans in Worcester, Mass., to win a title belt from Alejandro Garcia on May 6. It's too bad so few people saw the exciting fight on Showtime given that it was competing head-to-head with De La Hoya-Mayorga, which did huge numbers on HBO PPV. Next: TBA. 9. Ike Quartey (37-2-1) If ever there was a crossroads fight, Quartey's match against fellow former welterweight champ Vernon Forrest is one. They both desperately need the victory to continue on as viable contenders capable of commanding large purses. This one amounts to a loser-goes-home fight. Next: Aug. 5 vs. Forrest. 10. Alex "Terra" Garcia (25-2) Showed a big heart by getting up from five knockdowns in his title loss to Rivera on May 6. Garcia is a fun fighter to watch and a tremendous puncher -- he also dropped Rivera -- so we hope he can overcome the loss and make a comeback. Next: TBA. | ||||||
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1. Carlos Baldomir (42-9-6) If you thought the Boardwalk was jumping and filled with excitement before Tarver-Hopkins, just wait until the week Baldomir faces Arturo Gatti. It will be a terrific scene, and we expect a very good fight, too. Next: July 22 vs. Gatti. 2. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (36-0) "Pretty Boy" is used to being in control of his own destiny, but just like everyone else, he has to sit back and wait to see if Oscar De La Hoya will fight him or retire. It must be an agonizing wait. Next: TBA. 3. Antonio Margarito (33-4) Since he and Top Rank can't seem to agree on money, it appears unlikely that he will fight on the Aug. 12 HBO PPV undercard of the show headlined by the Hasim Rahman-Oleg Maskaev heavyweight title fight. Margarito is in limbo but could potentially get Mayweather if De La Hoya leaves him at the altar. Next: TBA. 4. Ricky Hatton (41-0) The British superstar moved up from junior welterweight to win a welterweight belt against Luis Collazo in Boston on May 13, in Hatton's first fight as a headliner in the United States and his HBO debut. His difficulties showed that he might be better served going back to 140 pounds even though the biggest fights are probably at welterweight. Next: TBA. 5. Luis Collazo (26-2) Losing to Hatton in such a close fight raised his stock more than any of his victories. Now there is talk that he will be invited back to HBO to appear on a Sept. 9 card headlined by heavyweight titlist Nicolay Valuev. A potential Margarito-Collazo fight quickly fizzled because the money just wasn't there. Next: TBA. 6. Zab Judah (34-4) With his boxing license revoked for a year and his entire purse gone to the IRS and fines stemming from the ugly incident during his April 8 fight with Mayweather, Judah is in such sorry financial shape that the word is that he is in the process of selling his home to help him take care of a mountain of debt. Next: TBA. 7. Arturo "Thunder" Gatti (40-7) Everyone's favorite action star has won titles at junior lightweight and junior welterweight, but he has never been considered "the man" in either division. At this late stage of his career, a victory against Baldomir will give him that recognition at welterweight. It's a tough, but winnable fight. Next: July 22 vs. Baldomir. 8. Kermit Cintron (26-1) Coming off a 10th-round TKO of David Estrada in a candidate for fight of the year on April 19, Cintron will be back in the spotlight when he faces untested Richard Gutierrez (18-0) in an HBO "Boxing After Dark" undercard bout. Next: July 29 vs. Gutierrez 9. Oktay Urkal (37-3) He's the mandatory challenger for Hatton's new title, meaning that if Hatton decides to stay at 147 pounds, his next fight would be in the fall against Urkal. It's a solid fight and one that HBO will approve. Urkal stayed busy by winning an eight-round decision over Andrei Rimer on June 3. Next: TBA. 10. Paul Williams (30-0) What's not to like about Williams? In his May 27 HBO debut, Williams stopped previously undefeated Walter Matthysse in the 10th round in an impressive performance. Williams showed speed, power and a terrific chin in absorbing some bombs. As a 6-foot-1 southpaw with all of those attributes, expect the top fighters to steer clear of him until they have to face him. Next: TBA. | ||||||
1. Miguel Cotto (27-0) Although it wasn't always easy, Cotto laid a beating on the courageous Paulie Malignaggi in winning a unanimous decision before a passionate and largely Puerto Rican crowd at Madison Square Garden on June 10 in defense of his title. However, Cotto suffered a hairline fracture of his left hand in what was his 140-pound swan song. He is undoubtedly headed to welterweight for his next bout. Next: TBA. 2. Kostya Tszyu (31-2) We were more than willing to give the former champ plenty of time to decide on his ring future after his loss to Ricky Hatton last summer, but now it's been a year and still no word on what he plans to do. We think that's long enough to decide, so let's go, Kostya. Can we have an answer please? Next: TBA. 3. Junior Witter (33-1-2) European champ from England probably will relinquish crown in order to meet DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley for the world title that Floyd Mayweather Jr. vacated in order to move to welterweight. The bout should be sometime this summer, but no date has been announced. Next: TBA vs. Corley. 4. DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley (31-4-1) Even though Corley is unsure of when his fight with Witter will take place, that hasn't stopped him from continuing to train in Las Vegas so he is ready whenever a date is announced. Next: TBA vs. Witter. 5. Carlos Maussa (19-3) Former titlist has started to train in his native Colombia and is expected to come to Miami to continue training for his expected ring return in the fall. Next: TBA. 6. Vivian Harris (26-2-1) Former titlist slated to headline HBO's July "Boxing After Dark" card against rising contender "Mighty" Mike Arnaoutis (17-0-2). It's an interesting fight between a pair of fighters looking to impress fans, media and the HBO suits. Next: July 29 vs. Arnaotis. 7. Jose Luis Castillo (54-7-1) What a disgrace. For the second time in a row, he failed to make weight for a lightweight title fight against Diego Corrales. This time the bout was canceled, a terrible blow for boxing, not to mention upsetting so many people. Castillo is a hell of a fighter, but a pathetic excuse for a professional. Next: TBA. 8. Ricardo Torres (28-1) The big puncher from Colombia who pushed Cotto to the brink last fall is returning from right hand surgery to face Henry Bruseles on a Puerto Rican DirecTV card. Next: Aug. 26 vs. Bruseles. 9. Juan Lazcano (36-3-1) "The Hispanic Causing Panic" had been ticketed for a slot on the July 15 Shane Mosley-Fernando Vargas II HBO PPV undercard, but decided that he couldn't be ready for that slot and will instead sit idle. Next: TBA. 10. Stevie Johnston (39-3-1) Former two-time lightweight champ was keeping busy on the comeback trail with four fights (and four wins) since October. However, he suffered a cut and an injured hand in a March 31 win, which has sidelined him and forced him to slow down his schedule. Next: TBA. | ||||||
1. Diego "Chico" Corrales (40-3) Sure, we're all disappointed that he decided not to go through with his rubber match against Jose Luis Castillo after Castillo's failure to make weight again. But no one should hold it against "Chico." He made the only decision he could. There was no way he should have given Castillo such a big advantage again. When Corrales did it in their rematch, he got knocked out. Expect to see Corrales back on Showtime this fall. Next: TBA. 2. Acelino "Popo" Freitas (38-1) After all the hugging and holding Zahir Raheem did to Freitas in their April 29 title bout, do you think Freitas has flashbacks whenever his wife gives him a hug? There's nothing in the works for "Popo" at the moment, but we're dying to see him fight Juan Diaz. Next: TBA. 3. Juan Diaz (29-0) Frankly, we've lost count how many times his mandatory against Lakva Sim has been called off. Now it appears off for good as Sim has refused the purse and said he is going to retire. That leaves Diaz and his camp to find a new opponent for him to fight on the Mosley-Vargas II HBO PPV undercard. It could wind up being "Kid Diamond" Almazbek Raiymkulov. Next: July 15 vs. TBA. 4. Joel Casamayor (32-3-1) Former junior lightweight champ gets back to work on ESPN2's "Friday Night Fights," where he will give junior welterweight a try. Next: July 7 vs. TBA. 5. Julio Diaz (33-3) Easily outpointed disappointing Ricky Quiles to win a vacant interim belt May 18. The victory makes Diaz the mandatory for titlist Jesus Chavez when Chavez is able to return from an arm injury. Next: TBA. 6. Jesus Chavez (43-3) He hopes to return to the ring from a severe arm injury by the end of the year. When he does come back, however, he will be obligated to defend his title against Julio Diaz. However, if he wants to preserve the fight that was made before his injury, which was supposed to be against junior lightweight champ Marco Antonio Barrera, Chavez could move down in weight and face Barrera, but for his title at 130. Next: TBA. 7. Isaac Hlatshwayo (24-0) South African technician, who is coming off a strong victory against Nate Campbell in April, will stay busy in an eight-rounder on the undercard of the Jermain Taylor-Winky Wright middleweight championship bout. Next: June 17 vs. Jeremy Yelton 8. Zahir Raheem (27-2) For as much praise as he received for his upset of Erik Morales last fall, that's how much derision he deserves after his Derrick Gainer impression during a title bout with Freitas on April 29. Raheem turned a potentially entertaining bout into a wrestling match that was about as exciting to watch as a television test pattern. Next: TBA. 9. Lakva Sim (21-4-1) Unhappy with his purse of close to $40,000, the former titlist from Mongolia has pulled out of a July 15 mandatory shot at Juan Diaz and threatened to retire. With the fight having already been called off numerous times, Sim will lose his mandatory status. Next: TBA. 10. Jose Armando Santa Cruz (21-1) Dominated Chikashi Inada of Japan to win a vacant interim belt May 20 on the undercard of the Barrera-Rocky Juarez fight. It was Santa Cruz's third consecutive win since he suffered a heat-induced loss to Fernando Trejo last summer. Next: TBA. | ||||||
1. Manny Pacquiao (41-3-2) If he is distracted by fighting at home in the Philippines, where he is a national hero, former junior featherweight champ Oscar Larios is a live underdog. If Pacquiao is focused and prepared, he will wreck Larios. It's all up to the Pacman. Next: July 2 vs. Larios. 2. Marco Antonio Barrera (62-4) Although the bout was first announced as a draw, Barrera escaped a very tough challenge from Rocky Juarez with a split-decision victory. Barrera was clearly not at his best, but he showed why he is a great champion -- because he has the ability to win when he doesn't have his best stuff. That said, promoter Golden Boy says that Barrera is willing to give Juarez a much-deserved rematch. It could happen this fall. Next: TBA. 3. Erik Morales (48-4) Former champ's contractual rubber match has been pushed from September to October and now to November for various reasons. Something tells us that we might not ever see it. Next: Nov. 18 vs. Pacquiao. 4. Jorge Barrios (46-2-1) Charismatic title holder from Argentina needed just 49 seconds and one big body shot to erase mandatory Janos Nagy in making his second title defense May 20 on HBO. Could face Joan Guzman this fall. Next: TBA. 5. Rocky Juarez (25-2) He fought his heart out in a terrific performance against Barrera only to be told he got a draw. Then, several minutes after the fight, he was told there had been a mistake with the scorecards and that he had actually suffered a split-decision loss. Talk about a bad night. Next: TBA. 6. Carlos Hernandez (41-6-1) Former titlist will headline a Telefutura card in his first bout since being badly robbed of the decision against Bobby Pacquiao in October. Next: July 14 vs. TBA. 7. Vicente Mosquera (24-1-1) In first defense on May 12, Panamanian retained belt at home via split decision against Jose Pablo Estrella to set up mandatory defense against Venezuelan punching prodigy Edwin Valero (19-0, 19 KOs, including 18 in the first round). Mosquera suffered a recent knee injury in a minor car accident, but should be ready to go for the fight, which will also take place in Panama. Next: Aug. 5 vs. Valero. 8. Yodsanan Nanthachai (47-3-1) Former titlist from Thailand won an eight-round decision against Arniel Tinampay June 5, a week after he supposedly had a cut eyelid and pulled out of a May 31 vacant title bout against Manuel Medina. It turns out the reason he pulled out of the fight was because he was overweight, not cut. Next: TBA. 9. Alex Arthur (23-1) The exciting European champ from Scotland is 27, in his prime, and ready to take a serious challenge against a world-class opponent. He's got to find out if he can swim, eventually. Next: TBA. 10. Joan Guzman (25-0) His hands are still sore from banging them against Javier Jauregui's head for 10 rounds on May 6, so Guzman passed on an opportunity to fight on the July 15 Mosley-Vargas II HBO PPV undercard. Instead, he will return in the fall, possibly to challenge Barrios. Next: TBA. | ||||||
1. Chris John (37-0-1) In his first fight since a close decision victory against Juan Manuel Marquez, John will defend his belt against Renan Acosta of Panama, and once again, John will be in front of his home crowd in Indonesia. Acosta doesn't figure to be too competitive -- he's 2-2 in his last four fights and whenever he has faced a remote step up in class, he has lost. Next: July 2 vs. Acosta. 2. Juan Manuel Marquez (44-3-1) With titlist Scott Harrison dealing with a slew of personal problems and unable to defend, Marquez will face rugged Terdsak Jandaeng for the interim belt on Showtime on the same card with his brother, bantamweight champ Rafael Marquez. It will be Juan Manuel's first fight since his close decision loss to John on March 4. Next: Aug. 5 vs. Jandaeng. 3. Scott Harrison (25-2-2) Before he worries about defending his title, Harrison needs to get his life in order, which means dealing with his depression and alcohol problems. They were bad enough that he was arrested and later wound up in rehab. Next: TBA. 4. Humberto Soto (39-5-2) Although Soto has an interim belt and is mandatory for Takashi Koshimoto, that fight probably won't ever happen. Soto, who is poised to sign with Top Rank, plans to move up to 130, where there is good money to be made. A proposed Aug. 5 fight with Marquez on HBO fell through when Marquez went in another direction. Next: TBA. 5. Takashi Koshimoto (39-1-2) First defense for newly crowned titleholder from Japan comes against unheralded Mexican Rudy Lopez of Mexico. If Koshimoto wins, he has promised to give deposed titlist Injin Chi a much-deserved rematch. Next: July 30 vs. Lopez. 6. Injin Chi (30-3-1) Assuming Koshimoto defeats Lopez on July 30, Chi is expected to be his next opponent for a rematch of a razor-close split decision in January that cost Chi his title. Next: TBA. 7. Nicky Cook (26-0) Exciting Brit was supposed to face Mexico's Gamaliel Diaz July 16 in London in a title eliminator with a shot at Koshimoto at stake, but Cook suffered an injury and was forced to pull out of the bout. Now, Diaz will face Robert Guerrero June 23 in an eliminator. The winner of that bout will either have to face Cook or could be appointed as Koshimoto's next mandatory. Next: TBA. 8. Spend Abazi (34-1) Won a shutout six-round decision against Gennadiy Delisandru June 9 in native Denmark. These kind of nothing fights are common for Europeans, who would rather stay active than sit around waiting for their big chance. Next: TBA. 9. Eric Aiken (16-4) From obscurity to an alphabet title in the blink of an eye. In April, he was an unknown brought in as the opponent for comebacking former bantamweight champ Tim Austin, and upset Austin on a sixth-round TKO. Then came a last-minute shot against titlist Valdemir Pereira May 13, and Aiken pulled off another major upset, although this one left a bad taste. Aiken was slightly ahead in an exciting fight and did a great acting job whenever he was hit in the body. The referee bought the act and eventually disqualified Pereira in the eighth round for low blows, giving Aiken a most unexpected title victory. Next: TBA. 10. Valdemir Pereira (24-1) On the one hand, he should have stopped throwing body shots against Aiken once the referee started deducting points. On the other hand, he got screwed by a horrible referee and Aiken's good job of selling clean body shots as low blows. Since it was an excellent fight until the abrupt disqualification, we'd love to see a rematch. Next: TBA. | ||||||
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1. Israel Vazquez (40-3) His lopsided fourth-round TKO victory against former 115-pound titlist Ivan "Choko" Hernandez was not for the squeamish. Vazquez busted his nose and the blood flowed so heavily, it turned Vazquez's blond highlights red before the bout was stopped after the fourth because of the injury. Ewwww! Next up could be a showdown with bantamweight titlist Jhonny Gonzalez. That's a tremendous match if it comes off. Next: TBA. 2. Somsak Singchachawan
(46-1-1) All of you demented fight freaks who want to see what is easily the 2006 fight of the year thus far need to get a tape, DVD or Internet download of his title-winning 10th-round TKO of Mahyar Monshipour. Trust us -- it's every bit as good as Gatti-Ward I. Next: TBA. 3. Oscar Larios (56-4-1) Former champ is jumping up two weight classes for a $500,000 payday to go to the Philippines to face hometown legend Manny Pacquiao. It's a formidable task, but he has a chance. The fight will be available in the U.S. on pay-per-view. Next: July 2 vs. Pacquiao. 4. Celestino Caballero (24-2) Interim titleholder from Panama probably headed toward a fall bout against full titlist Sithchatchawlan in what could be a sensational fight. Caballero has won five in a row since a decision loss to Ricardo Cordoba in May 2004, including a unanimous decision against Daniel Ponce De Leon last year. Next: TBA. 5. Daniel Ponce De Leon (28-1) When Alejandro Barrera fell out of their May 27 bout because of visa issues, De Leon destroyed last-minute substitute Gerson Guerrero with clubbing right hands in a vicious second-round knockout. De Leon will be back in action on the Mosley-Vargas II undercard. Initially, organizers were trying to reschedule Barrera, but now it will be mandatory Sergio Manuel Medina of Argentina. Next: July 15 vs. Medina. Other contenders: Sergio Manuel Medina, Ricardo Cordoba | ||||||
1. Rafael Marquez (35-3) The dominant champion has signed with promoter Gary Shaw and will fight on the same Showtime card as older brother and featherweight contender Juan Manuel Marquez. The bad news, however, is that Rafael will defend against Silence Mabuza in a mandatory rematch that is totally unnecessary, considering Marquez blew him out in October. But that's the filthy IBF for you, ordering fights that make no sense. Next: Aug. 5 vs. Mabuza. 2. Jhonny Gonzalez (33-4) It wasn't the most scintillating bout we've ever seen, but Gonzalez got the job done to retain his belt May 27 on a split decision against 115-pound titlist Fernando Montiel. The victory could pave the way for Gonzalez to move up and challenge 122-pound world champ Israel Vazquez in the fall. Next: TBA. 3. Hozumi Hasegawa (20-2) Japanese belt holder faces a tough assignment when he faces mandatory Genaro Garcia of Mexico. We wouldn't be shocked one bit if Garcia goes to Japan and takes away the title, but Hasegawa should be in great shape. He's been sparring with Oscar Larios, who is preparing to face Manny Pacquiao. Next: July 15 vs. Garcia. 4. Genaro Garcia (35-4) He owns a knockout of Marquez, but that was before Marquez won a title. Now, Garcia -- who is on an eight-fight winning streak dating to 2002 -- is getting a well-deserved shot at Hasegawa's title. Next: July 15 vs. Hasegawa. 5. Veeraphol Sahaprom (52-3-2) Despite being 37 and coming off a ninth-round knockout loss in a March rematch with Hasegawa, the former champ has decided to continue his career by facing former two-time title challenger Hidenobu Honda (26-4), who will travel to Sahaprom's native Thailand for the fight. Next: June 23 vs. Honda. Other contenders: Silence Mabuza, Ratanachai Sor Vorapin, Wladimir Sidorenko, Cruz Carvajal, Poonsawat Kratingdaenggym. | ||||||
1. Martin Castillo (30-1) Initially rejected an offer to go to Japan to defend title because he thought he would be on the Aug. 12 Rahman-Maskaev HBO PPV card against a notable opponent (he hoped for Jorge Arce). But when that didn't pan out, he took the fight in Japan. Next: July 22 vs. Nobuo Nashiro. 2. Fernando Montiel (32-2-1) Although he lost a split decision to Jhonny Gonzalez in an attempt to win a bantamweight belt May 27, Montiel can take solace in the fact that he still has his belt at 115 pounds if he decides to stay in the division. Montiel made the fight with Gonzalez a real stinker, so we're not sure any TV executives are going to want to feature Montiel again in the near future. Next: TBA. 3. Masamori Tokuyama (32-3-1) Two-time titleholder said he planned to retire after beating 2000 U.S. Olympian Jose Navarro in February, but -- surprise, surprise! -- Tokuyama announced May 25 that he plans to continue fighting. However, he is sidelined at the moment because of a right shoulder injury suffered in a car accident. Next: TBA. 4. Luis Perez (24-1) In his heart, Perez must know he was lucky to keep his title when he was given the decision against Russia's Dimitri Kirilov in May. Perez ought to ask his handlers to make a rematch. Kirilov deserves one. Next: TBA. 5. Alexander Muņoz (28-2) Venezuelan puncher is slated to face soft-touch Eduardo Julio. It will be Munoz's first bout since losing an all-action, bloody rematch to Castillo in January. Next: June 17 vs. Julio. Other contenders: Dimitri Kirilov, Jose Navarro, Katsushige Kawashima, Masibulele "Hawk" Makepula | ||||||
1. Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (61-2) Long-reigning champion from Thailand is tied with Hall of Famer Miguel Canto with a division-record 14 title defenses, even if so many of them were against very weak opponents. Wonjongkam aims to break the record with No. 15 when he faces mandatory challenger Mhikiza Myekeni (21-2) of South Africa. Next: June 30 vs. Myekeni. 2. Jorge Arce (44-3-1) There is talk that Arce is headed to 115 pounds. If he does move up, he will leave flyweight with a lot of unfinished business. He has never faced Wonjongkam, even though he has been the interim titlist for ages, or Vic Darchinyan, who he once said he would fight. If Arce leaves the division without facing either of them, it will be a huge disappointment. Next: TBA. 3. Lorenzo Parra (27-0) With Parra always on the road for his title defenses instead of at home in Venezuela, it will come as no surprise if his next one against junior flyweight titlist Roberto Vasquez comes on Vasquez's turf in Panama. Next: TBA vs. Vasquez. 4. Vic Darchinyan (26-0) When Corrales-Castillo III was canceled because of Weightgate, co-feature fighter Darchinyan made the most of it by stepping into the main event and scoring an impressive eighth-round TKO of previously undefeated Luis Maldonado on Showtime. Darchinyan has scored eight consecutive knockouts, including his four title defenses. Next: June 3 vs. Maldonado. 5. Omar Narvaez (21-0-2) He's been mentioned as a possible opponent for both Darchinyan and Parra for unification fights, but nothing ever seems to come of the talk. It's too bad. Instead, the southpaw seems content to stay in Argentina to fight lesser opponents. Next: TBA. Other contenders: Victor Burgos, Brahim Asloum | ||||||
1. Ivan "Iron Boy" Calderon (26-0) As outstanding as Calderon has been since the day he turned pro in 2001 -- has he even lost more than a handful of rounds in his career? -- he has yet to have that defining fight that will make fans remember the slick Puerto Rican champion. That fight probably won't come at 105 pounds, which means he will eventually need to move up to at least 108 pounds for a significant fight, preferably against titlist Brian Viloria, Calderon's amateur rival and fellow Top Rank fighter. Next: TBA. 2. Roberto "The Spider" Vasquez (22-1) In final defense of 108 title, Panamanian easily outpointed faded strawweight titlist Noel Arambulet of Venezuela on May 20. Vasquez, who made three defenses, has given up his belt and is moving to flyweight for a shot at titlist Lorenzo Parra. Japan's Koki Kameda (11-0, 10 KOs) will face Venezuelan Juan Landaeta (20-3-1, 16 KOs) for the vacant belt Aug. 2 in Japan. Next: TBA vs. Parra. 3. Hugo Cazares (22-3-1) The 108 titlist is slated to defend for the third time against Domingo Guillen (36-7-1) in the main event of a Telefutura card in Tucson, Ariz. Next: June 30 vs. Guillen. 4. Brian Viloria (19-0) "The Hawaiian Punch" is recovering from a hand injury suffered in his first 108-pound title defense against Jose Antonio Aguirre on Feb. 18, but it is unclear whether or not he will be ready to fight on the Rahman-Maskaev HBO PPV undercard. Because of the injury, mandatory Juanito Rubillar will face Wandee Singwancha for the interim belt July 12 in Thailand. Next: TBA. 5. Ulises "Archie" Solis (21-1-1) In the first defense of 108-pound title, he thrilled the hometown fans in Guadalajara, Mexico, with a ninth-round knockout of former titlist Eric Ortiz. Next: TBA. Other contenders: Yutaka Niida, Will Grigsby, Nelson Dieppa, Eagle Kyowa, Muhammad Rachman | ||||||
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