The title of "pound-for-pound king" brings no belt or official prize, but the financial rewards that come with it are definitely real. It also looks really good on a fighter's resume.
The boxing landscape goes through some pretty harsh changes every year and we thought it would be interesting to see just how different things could look at the very pinnacle of the sport in three years time.
We've put our heads together and decided that perennial elites like Hopkins, Calzaghe and Marquez are likely to be out of the picture by 2012, so who will be replacing them on the P4P lists by then?
(The votes were totaled based on lists submitted by each member of The Boxing Bulletin panel - Lee Payton, Jeff Pryor, Michael Nelson, Andrew Fruman, Mark Lyons and John Vaci)
Juan Manuel Lopez (4 votes)
“Another youngster who has been dynamic against the limited elite competition we've seen him in with, Lopez (pictured above right) announced his arrival last year by blasting out Ponce De Leon in the first round.
Wielding a rare combination of blazing speed and concussive power, the 25 year old Puerto Rican has begun to garner the kind of attention in his home land that suggests he may be the true successor to Trinidad's throne.
Most recently, pitted against Sergio Manuel Medina (33-1), who was to provide a stern test and extend Lopez, he instead blasted out his opponent, again within the first frame. Lopez's team got on him for his listless performance against Hugo Dianzo on the Morales-Diaz undercard. Since then he's been all action and high intensity. It is that kind of ability to adjust and utilize criticism that may propel "Juanma" to the pinnacle of sport.” - JP
“The 122 lb titlist from Puerto Rico has the talent to be a great fighter, but it is timing that gives him a real chance at rising to the top of the pound-for-pound lists. The junior featherweight division has a lot of character. Mexican legends Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez are thought of as two of the best fighters in the world thanks to their epic trilogy, and Celestino Caballero is a cobra waiting to strike.
These fighters are extremely dangerous, but Lopez has something over all of them - time. At 25 years old, he has lots of it. We don't know just how much the two Mexicans have left after taking part in three of the most brutal fights in recent boxing history. In another year or two, they will have gotten older, while Lopez gets stronger.
He's got a powerful promotional firm, tons of talent, a growing fan base and he fights in a division where the top guys might be a little long in the tooth. The opportunity is there for this little lefty.” – LP
“It looks like Lopez has serious power and skills. He just hasn’t had much tough competition yet. He’s young enough where he’ll probably still be at the top of his game in 2012---and blowing out Ponce De Leon was impressive.” – JV
“If he’s as durable as he is skilled, the sky’s the limit for the quick handed, explosively powerful junior featherweight. Hopefully he’ll soon get a chance to prove himself against some of high level talent around 122.” - AF
Paul Williams (3 votes)
“The Punisher has a built-in pound-for-pound edge given his height. This 6'2 left-hander has the body to fight effectively at 147-168 lbs, and has shown a willingness to fight anyone in those weight classes.
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The boxing landscape goes through some pretty harsh changes every year and we thought it would be interesting to see just how different things could look at the very pinnacle of the sport in three years time.
We've put our heads together and decided that perennial elites like Hopkins, Calzaghe and Marquez are likely to be out of the picture by 2012, so who will be replacing them on the P4P lists by then?
(The votes were totaled based on lists submitted by each member of The Boxing Bulletin panel - Lee Payton, Jeff Pryor, Michael Nelson, Andrew Fruman, Mark Lyons and John Vaci)
Juan Manuel Lopez (4 votes)
“Another youngster who has been dynamic against the limited elite competition we've seen him in with, Lopez (pictured above right) announced his arrival last year by blasting out Ponce De Leon in the first round.
Wielding a rare combination of blazing speed and concussive power, the 25 year old Puerto Rican has begun to garner the kind of attention in his home land that suggests he may be the true successor to Trinidad's throne.
Most recently, pitted against Sergio Manuel Medina (33-1), who was to provide a stern test and extend Lopez, he instead blasted out his opponent, again within the first frame. Lopez's team got on him for his listless performance against Hugo Dianzo on the Morales-Diaz undercard. Since then he's been all action and high intensity. It is that kind of ability to adjust and utilize criticism that may propel "Juanma" to the pinnacle of sport.” - JP
“The 122 lb titlist from Puerto Rico has the talent to be a great fighter, but it is timing that gives him a real chance at rising to the top of the pound-for-pound lists. The junior featherweight division has a lot of character. Mexican legends Israel Vazquez and Rafael Marquez are thought of as two of the best fighters in the world thanks to their epic trilogy, and Celestino Caballero is a cobra waiting to strike.
These fighters are extremely dangerous, but Lopez has something over all of them - time. At 25 years old, he has lots of it. We don't know just how much the two Mexicans have left after taking part in three of the most brutal fights in recent boxing history. In another year or two, they will have gotten older, while Lopez gets stronger.
He's got a powerful promotional firm, tons of talent, a growing fan base and he fights in a division where the top guys might be a little long in the tooth. The opportunity is there for this little lefty.” – LP
“It looks like Lopez has serious power and skills. He just hasn’t had much tough competition yet. He’s young enough where he’ll probably still be at the top of his game in 2012---and blowing out Ponce De Leon was impressive.” – JV
“If he’s as durable as he is skilled, the sky’s the limit for the quick handed, explosively powerful junior featherweight. Hopefully he’ll soon get a chance to prove himself against some of high level talent around 122.” - AF
Paul Williams (3 votes)
“The Punisher has a built-in pound-for-pound edge given his height. This 6'2 left-hander has the body to fight effectively at 147-168 lbs, and has shown a willingness to fight anyone in those weight classes.
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