Pacquiao, Klitschko, Mayweather, Dawson or Donaire?

Many talented pugilists have entered the squared circle over the past five years.

However, the five preeminent prizefighter's over that span of time are listed below.

1) "The Fighting Pride of the Philippines" Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao (51-3-2, 38 KOs), the first boxer to ever capture seven world titles in seven different weight divisions, is the WBO world welterweight super champion and Ring Magazine's pound-for-pound king.

Pacquiao has triumphed in 13 consecutive bouts since he lost to Erik Morales by a unanimous decision in March 2005.

At 31 and as dominant as ever, Pacquiao was honored in January as the grandest fighter of last decade by the Boxing Writers Association of America.

“Manny deserved to be the fighter of the decade,” said Roger “Pit” Perron, 73, a respected boxing trainer from Brockton who now works with Mike and Rich Cappiello at their gym, Cappiello Brothers Boxing and Training. “It was a good choice."

In actuality, Pacquiao is likely the only legitimate "choice."

2) "Dr. Steelhammer" Wladimir Klitschko

Klitschko (54-3, 48 KOs), a Ukrainian who earned a gold medal as a super heavyweight at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, is the IBF, WBO, IBO, and Ring Magazine titlist in boxing's glamour division.

Lamon Brewster trumped Klitschko by a fifth round TKO in April 2004.

Subsequently, Klitschko has emerged victorious in 12 straight matches and his reign as the foremost heavyweight is not going to end anytime soon.

3) "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather

Mayweather (41-0, 25 KOs), the winner of nine world boxing championships in five weight classes, was named Ring Magazine Fighter of the Year in 1998 and 2007.

Mayweather is a tremendous defensive wizard and ring tactician and he may deserve a higher rank.

Nevertheless, he retired from battling for nearly two years after he beat Ricky Hatton by 10th round TKO to retain his WBC welterweight title in December 2007 and, therefore, it is impossible to elevate his status further.

4) "Bad" Chad Dawson

Dawson (29-0, 17 KOs) is the IBO light heavyweight champion and he is currently rated by Ring Magazine as the No. 6 pound-for-pound fighter in the universe.

Since February 2007, Dawson has twice beaten both Antonio Tarver and Glen Johnson and he impressively thwarted Poland's Tomasz Adamek by unanimous decision three years ago.

Dawson is young at 28, and his skills should only continue to improve.

5) "The Filipino Flash Nonito Donaire

Donaire (24-1, 16 KOs) is often compared to his countryman, Pacquiao.

Donaire is a rising superstar and his record would be unblemished had he not scrapped a much-larger opponent, Rosendo Sanchez, in just his second contest as a professional when he was only 18 in 2001.

Now a seasoned 27, fight fans can expect Donaire to maintain his pugilistic mastery well into this decade.