Top 25 Pound-for-Pound Boxers After Pacquiao vs. Algieri Bout
Manny Pacquiao dominated Chris Algieri over 12 rounds on Saturday night. Pacquiao was just too fast, too strong and too skilled for the New Yorker.
Judges at ringside scored the bout 119-103, 119-103 and 120-102 for Pacquiao, who scored six knockdowns in the fight.
Pacquiao is a perennial contender in Bleacher Report’s top-25 rankings. But did his win over Algieri warrant a move up on the list? Or at age 35, was there something missing in Pacquiao’s game on Saturday that moved him down a few spots instead?
Click through to find out how the best fighters in the world rank against one another. Fighters are ranked by quality of opposition and their overall resume as well as their willingness to engage all-comers. As always, a special emphasis is given to how a fighter has performed in 2014.
Ins and Outs
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Out: Super middleweight Andre Ward exits the list for being inactive for more than one year and not appearing to have any fights on the horizon. How can you judge a fighter to be among the very best in the sport if he doesn’t fight? You can’t.
In: Undefeated featherweight Nicholas Walters knocked out Nonito Donaire to make his move into the top 25. He appears to have the skill to remain on the list for years to come.
25. Naoya Inoue (7-0, 6 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: This Japanese junior flyweight lives up to his moniker: He’s a “monster” puncher with solid skills. While the littlest fighters don’t get as much credit as the bigger guys, Inoue is one to watch. He’s fast, exciting and perhaps the future of boxing in Japan.
Previous Rank: 24
2014 Highlight: Inoue knocked out the resilient Samartlek Kokietgym in September in 11 rounds.
Who He Should Fight Next: Inoue is scheduled to face Omar Narvaez on December 30 for the WBO junior bantamweight title. He’s jumping up two weight classes to face the best in the division; that's the kind of thing boxing fans would like to see more of from top stars.
24. Leo Santa Cruz (28-0-1, 16 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Santa Cruz is the WBC junior featherweight titleholder. He’s a whirlwind of activity who throws punches in high volume. He's a force on offense and uses a high guard on defense.
Previous Rank: 24
2014 Highlight: Santa Cruz dominated Cristian Mijares in March over 12 rounds to defend his WBC crown. It was his best win of a two-fight campaign in 2014.
Who He Should Fight Next: Santa Cruz seems like the kind of fighter who would want to take on the best out there, but his managers seem less enthusiastic. In a perfect world, he’d challenge Guillermo Rigondeaux for the Transnational Rankings, Ring Magazine, WBA and WBO titles next.
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23. Takashi Uchiyama (21-0-1, 17 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Uchiyama is the best junior lightweight in the world—the one Adrien Broner avoided like a plague two years ago. The 35-year-old has held the WBA junior lightweight strap since 2009.
Previous Rank: 23
2014 Highlight: Uchiyama has not fought yet in 2014, but he’s scheduled to do so before the end of the year.
Who He Should Fight Next: Uchiyama is scheduled to face Israel Hector Enrique Perez on December 31, exactly one year after his previous fight. Perez is a solid opponent who hasn’t lost since 2003.
22. Marco Huck (38-2-1, 26 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Despite being the second heaviest division in boxing, cruiserweight often goes overlooked for some reason. But Huck is the best in the world there, and he has been for some time now. He currently holds the WBO cruiserweight title.
Previous Rank: 22
2014 Highlight: Huck notched two wins in 2014; the best was a Round 6 knockout win over Firat Arslan.
Who He Should Fight Next: Still in his prime at age 30, Huck would be wise to make his move up to heavyweight soon to seek a lucrative bout against Wladimir Klitschko in Germany.
21. Adonis Stevenson (24-1, 20 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: The 37-year-old late bloomer is the Transnational Rankings, Ring Magazine and WBC light heavyweight champion. Stevenson is a hard-punching southpaw who likes to box from a distance and land bombs from the outside.
Previous Rank: 20
2014 Highlight: His lone win this year was a 12-round decision over Andrzej Fonfara. While it was a solid win over a good contender, Stevenson has avoided the likes of Sergey Kovalev, Bernard Hopkins and Jean Pascal so far.
Who He Should Fight Next: Despite being scheduled to face Dmitry Sukhotsky in December, the bout everyone wants to see is Stevenson versus unified titlist Sergey Kovalev.
20. Erislandy Lara (19-2-2, 12 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Arguably the best fighter at 154 pounds, Lara holds the WBA title in the division. He’s a crafty southpaw from Cuba with a hard style to beat. His wide stance befuddles opponents, and he makes people miss with ease.
Previous Rank: 19
2014 Highlight: Lara lost a razor-thin decision to Canelo Alvarez at middleweight in July. Lara was in control early but seemed to tire in the middle rounds.
Who He Should Fight Next: Lara is scheduled to defend his belt against Ishe Smith in December. Smith is a good boxer and solid competition for the oft-avoided Lara while he waits on other big names at 154 to come around.
19. Lucas Matthysse (36-3, 34 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Junior welterweight Matthysse is one of the better offensive fighters in boxing. He fights well from all ranges and has power in both hands. An action fighter, he is very popular with fans.
Previous Rank: 18
2014 Highlight: Matthysse’s Round 11 knockout over John Molina is a Fight of the Year candidate. The Argentine was down twice early in the fight before rallying for the win.
Who He Should Fight Next: Matthysse should lure Adrien Broner into the ring at junior welterweight in a bout that’s sure to be all fireworks. Whoever wins that fight would be a great match for other top 140-pounders.
18. Bernard Hopkins (55-7-2, 32 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: The incomparable Hopkins, age 49, is one of the greatest fighters who ever lived. He was the WBA and IBF light heavyweight champion earlier this year before being decisioned by Sergey Kovalev in a unification bout.
Previous Rank: 17
2014 Highlight: Hopkins fought twice in 2014. He defeated Beibut Shumenov in April and lost to Kovalev in November. While he lost his last fight, his work against Kovalev showed that he remains an excellent technician who is perhaps peerless among his contemporaries.
Who He Should Fight Next: Hopkins lost to Kovalev, but one wonders if he’d be able to give Adonis Stevenson some trouble. He seems crafty enough to still play the spoiler, and it’s the big fight Stevenson needs to remain relevant.
17. Nonito Donaire (33-3, 21 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Donaire has consistently been one of the best fighters in the sport over the last few years. His fast hands and tremendous power keep him dangerous at all times. He was most organizations' Fighter of the Year winner in 2012.
Previous Rank: 12
2014 Highlight: Donaire was 1-1 in 2014. He defeated Simpiwe Vetyeka by technical decision in May to earn the WBA featherweight title.
Who He Should Fight Next: His knockout loss to Nicholas Walters in October should have taught Donaire he needs to move back down to junior featherweight, where a rematch with division overlord Guillermo Rigondeaux looms large for both fighters.
16. Mikey Garcia (34-0, 28 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: When active, Garcia has the looks, style and power of a future top-five superstar. He’s superbly skilled, well-balanced and a fine puncher. Garcia is trained by his older brother, Robert Garcia, one of the top trainers in the sport.
Previous Rank: 16
2014 Highlight: Garcia dismantled Juan Carlos Burgos over 12 rounds way back in January. Since then, he’s remained inactive and is in danger of losing the credibility he built as a top performer in 2013.
Who He Should Fight Next: How about anyone? Garcia has no fights scheduled for the rest of 2014. A bout against junior lightweight titleholder Takashi Uchiyama would crown the division’s champion per the Transnational Rankings.
15. Nicholas Walters (25-0, 21 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Walters is a tremendous power puncher. He’s smart, skilled and dedicated to the craft. At age 28, the sky is the limit for the relative new kid of the star-studded featherweight scene.
Previous Rank: N/A
2014 Highlight: Walters earned the best win of his career this year when he took care of Nonito Donaire in Round 6. Walters dropped Donaire in Round 3 before finishing him off in Round 6 in a star-making performance.
Who He Should Fight Next: The best matchup in the division is likely Walters versus fellow knockout artist Jhonny Gonzalez.
14. Canelo Alvarez (44-1-1, 31 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Alvarez is a 24-year-old with the weight of Mexico riding on his shoulders. He’s a big star who could become the face of the sport worldwide should his next few years go as well as his handlers plan.
Previous Rank: 15
2014 Highlight: Alvarez looked sensational when he knocked out Alfredo Angulo in March, but the best win of his career came in July when he won a split decision over Erislandy Lara. Alvarez threw more punches and got the nod from the judges
Who He Should Fight Next: The best bout for Alvarez in 2015 would be a May showdown with middleweight champion Miguel Cotto. It’s just about the biggest fight that could happen in boxing, and Alvarez has the youth and size advantage over Cotto.
13. Danny Garcia (29-0, 17 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Garcia, age 26, is the best junior welterweight in the world, according to the Transnational Rankings, Ring Magazine, WBA and WBC. He’s the division’s true champion even if he hasn’t selected opponents as if that was the case over his last few fights.
Previous Rank: 13
2014 Highlight: Garcia doesn’t have a lot to be proud of in 2014. He was awarded a majority decision over Mauricio Herrera in March even though it seemed like he probably lost that fight, and he bludgeoned the tiny Rod Salka in a huge mismatch in August.
Who He Should Fight Next: Garcia should look toward a unification bout against IBF titlist Lamont Peterson. It’s strange the bout hasn’t happened yet. It’s the right move for both parties.
12. Juan Francisco Estrada (30-2, 22 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: The durable and tough Estrada is the WBA and WBO flyweight champion. He’s one of boxing’s best-kept secrets—a flyweight with superb talent.
Previous Rank: 14
2014 Highlight: Estrada stays busy. He’s 2-0 in 2014 and has another fight coming up in December. His Round 11 knockout over Giovani Segura was probably his best win of the year so far.
Who He Should Fight Next: Estrada lost his junior flyweight title to Roman Gonzalez back in 2012. It’s time the two meet again, this time at flyweight.
11. Carl Froch (33-2, 24 KOS)
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Why He’s Here: Froch is one of the better super middleweights in history. He fights all-comers and is easily one of the better UK champions ever. Froch is 37 and coming toward the end of his excellent career.
Previous Rank: 10
2014 Highlight: Froch stopped George Groves in Round 8. The bout was a rematch of Froch’s Round 9 knockout win over Groves in 2013. He looked sensational in the fight against a solid, young fighter in Groves who had tremendous confidence coming into the bout.
Who He Should Fight Next: Froch should cash in while he still can and sign a bout against middleweight monster Gennady Golovkin at 168 pounds. Froch would be wise to make Golovkin come all the way up to 168 for the fight.
10. Miguel Cotto (39-4, 32 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Cotto, age 34 is the Transnational Rankings, Ring Magazine and WBC middleweight champion. He’s one of boxing's biggest superstars, and he’s coming off the best win of his fantastic career. Trainer Freddie Roach has Cotto looking as good as he’s ever looked.
Previous Rank: 9
2014 Highlight: Cotto wrecked longtime middleweight champion Sergio Martinez in June to become the new middleweight king. His Round 10 demolition of Martinez was one of boxing’s biggest events in 2014.
Who He Should Fight Next: Cotto should seek a rematch against Floyd Mayweather at middleweight. Cotto looks so much better now than when the two met back in 2012, and Mayweather's skills seem to have diminished.
9. Sergey Kovalev (26-0-1, 23 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Kovalev is a devastating knockout puncher who stalks his opponents like prey. He moves forward, lands punches and dares others to trade with him. He’s the WBA, WBO and IBF light heavyweight champion.
Previous Rank: 21
2014 Highlight: In this third win of 2014, Kovalev dominated Bernard Hopkins like no one has ever done before. He knocked Hopkins down in Round 1 and won every round easily.
Who He Should Fight Next: The fight everyone wants to see at light heavyweight is a unification bout between Kovalev and Adonis Stevenson. The latter seems reluctant to make the fight, so Kovalev should look toward the next best option to increase the pressure on Stevenson to make the fight: Jean Pascal.
8. Gennady Golovkin (31-0, 28 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: The 32-year-old middleweight appears to be the most balanced fighter in the sport. He’s a destructive knockout puncher who has fast hands and a penchant for aggression. The problem Golovkin has is getting other top middleweights in the ring with him.
Previous Rank: 11
2014 Highlight: Golovkin won three fights in 2014. He made Marco Antonio Rubio look like a rank amateur in October in a Round 2 knockout victory. He's the goods at middleweight.
Who He Should Fight Next: Golovkin is clearly the best middleweight in the world. If boxing wasn’t such a broken sport, he’d get a crack at Miguel Cotto next. But Golovkin will likely have to settle for contenders like Martin Murray instead. The two are scheduled to meet in early 2015.
7. Guillermo Rigondeaux (14-0, 9 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Rigondeaux might be the best fighter on the planet. He’s a defensive master, and he’s so great at what he does in the ring that he almost appears to be bored at times. The junior featherweight is the champion of the division, per the Transnational Ranking, Ring Magazine, WBA and WBO.
Previous Rank: 8
2014 Highlight: Rigondeaux defeated Sod Kokietgym in one round over the summer. It was his only outing in 2014.
Who He Should Fight Next: Rigondeaux, age 34, needs big fights against good opponents. It’s hard to sell television partners on his work otherwise, as his style makes boxing’s moneymakers shy. A bout against Leo Santa Cruz would be tremendous for both, and Santa Cruz’s come-forward style would bring the best out of Rigondeaux.
6. Juan Manuel Marquez (56-7-1, 40 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Marquez, age 41, is one of the best fighters of his era. The longtime nemesis of Manny Pacquiao is the best counterpuncher in boxing and still one of the best welterweights in the world right now.
Previous Rank: 7
2014 Highlight: Marquez was in a tougher-than-expected bout with Mike Alvarado in May. After knocking Alvarado down in Round 8, Marquez had to pick himself off the canvas in Round 9 to carry home the 12-round decision.
Who He Should Fight Next: The only fight that matters for Marquez is a fifth fight against Pacquiao. While he knocked Pacquiao out in 2012, his rival still holds the 2-1-1 edge overall.
5. Timothy Bradley (31-1, 12 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Bradley has gotten the most out of his skill set. He doesn’t have outstanding power, but he throws punches like he does anyway. He’s a scrappy, solid fighter who has only lost to Pacquiao.
Previous Rank: 5
2014 Highlight: Bradley’s lone outing in 2014 was his decision loss to Pacquiao. Instead of trying to outbox Pacquiao in the fight, Bradley loaded up on power punches and paid the price.
Who He Should Fight Next: Bradley is set to face Diego Chaves in December in a bout that is meant to keep him busy while more lucrative bouts come his way. All in all, it’s not a terrible way to end the year.
4. Wladimir Klitschko (63-3, 53 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: He’s the best heavyweight since Muhammad Ali. Klitschko is big, strong and a superb athlete. His long jab and destructive right hand are some of the most dangerous weapons in heavyweight history.
Previous Rank: 6
2014 Highlight: Klitschko demolished No. 1 ranked contender Kubrat Pulev in five rounds earlier this month. At age 38, Klitschko looks as polished and formidable as ever. He went 2-0 with two KOs in 2014.
Who He Should Fight Next: Klitschko holds every heavyweight crown except the WBC title. Klitschko should target WBC titleholder Bermane Stiverne in 2015.
3. Roman Gonzalez (41-0, 35 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Gonzalez is the best pressure fighter in boxing. The Transnational Rankings, Ring Magazine and WBC flyweight champion is as elite as anyone in the sport. The 27-year-old could be on his way to putting the flyweight division back on the map in mainstream boxing circles.
Previous Rank: 3
2014 Highlight: Pick whichever of Gonzalez’s four knockout wins you want. He stayed busy and dominated opponents. His Round 9 win over Akira Yaegashi was probably his best victory on paper.
Who He Should Fight Next: The biggest bout at flyweight is a rematch with Juan Francisco Estrada. Hopefully, the bout happens in early 2015.
2. Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Pacquiao is one of boxing’s biggest and best superstars. At age 35, he’s just as elite as ever. His fast hands and frenetic style give the southpaw an edge over just about everyone he faces.
Previous Rank: 2
2014 Highlight: Pacquiao’s best win of 2014 was his 12-round decision over Tim Bradley in April. The win showed Pac-Man is still on top of his game.
Who He Should Fight Next: Pacquiao should go all in on pressuring Floyd Mayweather to make the biggest fight in boxing. It’s long overdue.
1. Floyd Mayweather (46-0, 26 KOs)
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Why He’s Here: Mayweather’s skills have kept him unscathed. He’s a master boxer who knows how to adjust to what is in front of him on fight night better than any other fighter in the sport. Mayweather holds a slew of titles at welterweight and junior middleweight, though he predominantly stays at 147.
Previous Rank: 1
2014 Highlight: Mayweather defeated Marcos Maidana by decision twice in 2014, the best of which was his first over the hard-charging slugger in May. Mayweather won the second fight more easily, but part of that was Maidana’s silly strategy of trying to box him from the outside.
Who He Should Fight Next: The answer to this question until Mayweather does it or retires is always this: Manny Pacquiao.
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