1) Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO)
Age: 32
Current Title: WBO Welterweight/147 lbs. (2009-Present, 2 Defenses)
Lineal World Championships: World Flyweight/112 lbs. (1998-99, 1 Defense); World Featherweight/126 lbs. (2003-2005, 2 Defenses); World Jr. Lightweight/130 lbs. champion (2008); World Junior Welterweight (2009-10)

Additional Titles: WBC Flyweight (1998-99, 1 Defense); IBF Jr. Featherweight/122 lbs (2001-03, 4 Defenses); Ring Magazine Featherweight (2003-05, 2 Defenses); Ring/WBC Jr. Lightweight (2008) WBC Lightweight/135 lbs. (2008); Ring Jr. Welterweight (2009-10); WBC Jr. Middleweight/154 lbs. (2010-11)
Record in Title Fights: 15-1-2, 11 KO, 1 KOBY (Overall); 6-1-1, 5 KO, 1 KOBY (Lineal Only)
Last Five Opponents: Shane Mosley (UD12), Antonio Margarito (UD12), Joshua Clottey (UD12), Miguel Cotto (TKO12), Ricky Hatton (KO2) 

Next Opponent: November 12, 2011 vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KO) 

The Take: As expected, Pacquiao went through Shane Mosley with ease, becoming only the second man to drop the former three-division champ.  Despite that, Pacquiao failed to impress and appeared to be carrying his man at times.  It was a pathetic fight that never should have been made but, hey, the accountants loved it.  Pacquiao next takes the long awaited third fight with Lightweight king Juan Manuel Marquez.  It’s getting some beef.  It should.  Sure, this might well turn out to be another classic.  However, given Marquez’s lack of Welterweight frame, even at a catchweight of 144, the chance for a turkey is there as well.  It would be less so if Pacquiao were taking on the best young Jr. Welterweights and Welterweights in the world.  It’s going on a couple years since Pacquiao faced someone with enough tiger to bring some real drama about winning and losing.  One day soon, what’s left of Pacquiao’s youth will be behind him.  Fighting only twice a year, are we really already in the epilogue?   
 
2) Nonito Donaire (26-1, 18 KO)
Age: 28
Current Title: WBC/WBO Bantamweight/118 lbs. (2011-Present, 0 Defenses)
Additional Titles: IBF Flyweight (2007-09, 3 Defenses)
Record in Title Fights: 5-0, 5 KO (7-0, 6 KO including interim title fights)
Last Five Opponents: Fernando Montiel (TKO2), Wladimir Sidorenko (KO4), Hernan Marquez (TKO8), Manuel Vargas (KO3), Rafael Concepcion (UD12) 

Next Opponent: October 22, 2011 vs. TBA
 
The Take:  It looked for a moment like Donaire would be the guy who burned the Golden Ticket twice.  Following his career making victory over Vic Darchinyan in 2007, Donaire made some questionable career moves that cost him momentum and exposure.  Following a sensational stoppage of Fernando Montiel earlier this year, Donaire was at the top of what could be argued as the best division in boxing (Bantamweight).  He promptly got into a promotional kerfuffle with Top Rank that threatened to sideline him a lot longer than it has.  The fact is, despite all the drama, he’ll be back in the ring by year’s end and meet the anemic modern standard of two appearances per year.  In the ring, he might be the best combination of speed and power in the game fighting right now at true physical prime.  The world around him is getting older.  He’s just getting there, and he’s got enough quality wins to speak to just how much there could be yet to look forward to.  Donaire could well rule at Jr. Featherweight and Featherweight before he’s done.  Let’s hope he can pick up another belt or two t 118 lbs. first.    
 
3) Sergio Martinez (47-2-2, 26 KO)
Age: 36
Current Titles: Lineal World Middleweight Champion/160 lb. champion (2010-Present, 2 Defenses)
Additional Titles: WBC Jr. Middleweight (2009-10); Ring/WBC Middleweight (2010-Present, 1 Defense); WBO Middleweight (2010)
Record in Title Fights: 4-0-1, 3 KO including interim title fights (Overall); 3-0, 2 KO (Lineal Only)
Last Five Opponents: Sergiy Dzinziruk (TKO8), Kelly Pavlik (UD12), Paul Williams (L12, KO2), Kermit Cintron (D12), Alex Bunema (RTD8)

Next Opponent: October 1, 2011 vs. Darren Barker (23-0, 14 KO) 

The Take:  Prior to the dismantling of Dzinziruk, there was some hesitation here in raising Martinez.  Sometimes fighters get hot, put it all out there against some big names, and then come back to Earth.  Martinez isn’t playing out as one of them.  He’s closer to the old adage about a fighter getting better as a champion and he showed the mark of an excellent division king when he blew out a Dzinziruk who looked like the boxing equivalent of a ‘trap game.’  After Dzinziruk, and given the lack of activity from the man one slot down, a boost all the way to number three was in order.  Martinez has some defensive flaws but his quality of opposition is off the charts over the last two years.  Some of the game’s best hand speed, an evolved power game, and a joy about his craft make Martinez the most exciting Middleweight Champion in years.  His last five contests have all come against former titlists or champions and both blemishes are contestable.  Cintron earned two losses the night they fought, appearing to suffer a stoppage in an awkward count and then getting a draw he did not deserve on the cards.  Williams, the first time, was as close as any classic battle could be.  That Barker is a step down is obvious, but Martinez is merely taking the champion’s lap they all do at some point if they can hold the crown.    
 
The Take: The much younger Ortiz promises to bring it all night in September.  He better.  If Mayweather hasn’t begun the inevitable slide, Ortiz will have his work cut out for him.  The sublime skill and performances of the men ahead of Mayweather while “Money” was out cannot be ignored but, while they reside ahead of him, make no mistake: boxing is still a two-man race.  If Mayweather comes out and shows he hasn’t lost a step, Mayweather can be expected to rise.  When he’s in the ring, he’s no worse than the second best fighter in the world and usually looks better than that.  The problem, since 2007, has been getting him to make a regular go of the sweet science.  A former lineal champion in three weight classes, with belts in five, Mayweather is the finest defensive fighter of his generation and the offense isn’t bad either.  Many assume he takes only those fights he is sure he can win.  Could Ortiz, bigger, heavier handed, and a southpaw, make a cliché of the assumptions?  We wait for September to find out.
 
5) Bernard Hopkins (52-5-2, 32 KO)
Age: 46
Current Title: Lineal World Light Heavyweight Champion (2011-Present)
Lineal World Championships: World Middleweight (2001-05, 6 Defenses)
Career Titles: IBF Middleweight (1995-2005, 20 Defenses); WBC Middleweight (2001-05, 7 Defenses); Ring/WBA Middleweight (2001-05, 6 Defenses); WBO Middleweight (2004-05, 1 Defense); Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight (2006-08, 1 Defense); Ring Magazine/WBC Light Heavyweight (2011-Present)
Record in Title Fights: 23-3-2, 13 KO, 1 No Contest (Overall); 8-2, 4 KO (Lineal Only)
Last Five Opponents: Jean Pascal (UD12, D12), Roy Jones Jr. (UD12), Enrique Ornelas (UD12), Kelly Pavlik (UD12), Joe Calzaghe (L12) 

Next Opponent: October 15, 2011 vs. Chad Dawson (30-1, 17 KO) 

6) Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KO)
Age: 37
Current Title: Lineal World Lightweight Champion (2008-Present, 3 Defenses)
Additional Titles: IBF Featherweight (2003-05, 4 Defenses); WBA Featherweight (2003-05, 3 Defenses); WBC Jr. Lightweight (2007-08, 1 Defense); Ring Lightweight (2008-Present, 3 Defenses); WBO/WBA Lightweight (2009-Present, 2 Defenses)
Record in Title Fights: 10-3-1, 4 KO or 12-3-1, 6 KO including interim title fights (Overall); 4-1-1, 3 KO (Lineal Only)
Last Five Opponents: Likar Ramos (KO1), Michael Katsidis (TKO9), Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L12), Juan Diaz (UD12, TKO9), Joel Casamayor (TKO11)

Next Opponent: November 12, 2011 vs. Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO)

The Take:  Marquez has the Pacquiao battle he’s craved since coming up just short in a draw and loss the first two times around.  Contested inside the Welterweight limit, the once great Featherweight is pushing his body to the credit of his bank account.  He’ll be 38 by fight night and, whether he makes a great fight or not, he’s earned the right to try Pacquiao one last time.  Outside of the Mayweather fight in 2009, he’s remained with the look of a master, posting memorable wins over younger men like Diaz and Katsidis and battering past a fellow veteran gem in Casamayor.  Should Marquez lose to Pacquiao, one rival, one hole on his resume, yet remains.  Marquez vs. Erik Morales is the one match-up of this era’s ‘Fab Four’ the world has never seen.  After his Lazarus like performance versus Marcos Maidana, Morales looks like he can still give us enough to make Morales-Marquez must-see. 

7) Carl Froch (28-1, 20 KO)
Age: 34
Current Title: WBC Super Middleweight (2010-Present, 1 Defense)
Additional Titles: WBC Super Middleweight (2008-10, 2 Defenses)
Record in Title Fights: 5-1, 1 KO
Last Five Opponents: Glen Johnson (UD12), Arthur Abraham (UD12), Mikkel Kessler (L12), Andre Dirrell (L12), Jermain Taylor (TKO12)


Next Opponent: October 29, 2011 vs. Andre Ward (24-0, 13 KO)
 
The Take: He doesn’t always look like one of the best fighters in the world.  He just fights the schedule that should be a prerequisite for the claim and wins.  It has its rewards.  A pro since 2002, Froch built slowly to his first title shot and hasn’t slowed down since.  Beginning with a win over future lineal Light Heavyweight king Jean Pascal, Froch has been on a run of six straight top-level foes, lost only once and close, and, four times, has given fans a Fight of the Year level affair.  Crafty, smart, and tough as old boot, Froch has shown tremendous improvement in the Super Six tournament and proven more about himself than anyone in the field thus far.  His chief rival for now, Ward, has a potent win over the only man to best Froch to date.  The battle of resumes is otherwise lopsided in Froch’s favor.  The only thing he hasn’t done yet is pick up a unification win but his level of competition shows that is not the only way to rack up big wins.  Regardless, opportunity is coming.  Froch and Ward will determine the leader of the pack in the incredibly talented 168 lb. class.  It will be Froch’s seventh straight outstanding foe, stretching what is the arguably the best competitive run in all of boxing right now.    
 
8) Andre Ward (24-0, 13 KO)
Age: 27
Current Title: WBA Super Middleweight (2009-Present, 3 Defenses)
Additional Titles: None
Record in Title Fights: 4-0
Last Five Opponents: Arthur Abraham (UD12), Sakio Bika (UD12), Allan Green (UD12), Mikkel Kessler (TD11), Shelby Pudwill (KO3)


The Take: His resume is only beginning to grow but, should he win the Super Six tournament, and he will be favored to do so, Ward will come out smelling like roses.  The 2004 U.S. Olympic Gold Medalist at Light Heavyweight, Ward looked sensational in upsetting Kessler for his first major title and followed up with three consecutive top ten contenders at Super Middleweight across the ring from him.  Green was run out of the ring.  Bika and Abraham both managed to pick up some rounds.  None came close to being seriously in the fights and the sum total of the run earns him a place in this top ten.  Ward may be the heir to Bernard Hopkins, the ring intellect who never looks overwhelming in any one category but does a little bit of everything better than just about everyone.  As it stands, Super Middleweight is in the thick of the race for best division in boxing and Ward is no worse than 1B with Froch.  A unification win, and the quality of Froch as an opponent, would push him even farther.    
 
9) Timothy Bradley (27-0, 11 KO)
Age: 27
Current Titles: WBO Jr. Welterweight (2009-Present, 3 Defenses); WBC Jr. Welterweight (2011-Present)
Additional Titles: WBC Jr. Welterweight (2008-09, 2 Defenses)
Record in Title Fights: 5-0, 1 No Contest
Last Five Opponents: Devon Alexander (TD10), Luis Abregu (UD12), Lamont Peterson (UD12), Nate Campbell (NC3), Kendall Holt (UD12)


Next Opponent: TBA
 
The Take: Amir Khan should have been where TBA reads but Bradley, looking to get away from his current management, balked.  Now, he sits on his second unification win with Devon Alexander with no big fight in site.  Rumors abound that he could be in position to fight Manny Pacquiao sometime in 2012, but sitting out does little to build interest in the affair and he’s going to have fight through court first.  It’s a shame because, when active, Bradley is a tricky, smart, fast handed fireplug of a fighter with great speed and the occasional third fist shaped as his skull.  In some corners though, his recent inactivity has seen him lose ground to Khan in esteem, particularly after Khan beat Judah.  Consideration was given here to switching Bradley out for the former British Olympian and he did lose a step to Ward due to Ward’s actually having a serious fight on tap.  For now though, some benefit of the doubt is given to the out of ring concerns (and, really, it’s not like Bradley has been out a year or something) and to the remarkable strength and depth of the 140 lbs. class.  Bradley still looks like a more complete, more consistent ring force than Khan.  Hopefully, some day, we’ll find out in a fight.  
 
10) Wladimir Klitschko (56-3, 49 KO)
Age: 35
Current Title: Lineal World Heavyweight Champion (2009-Present, 2 Defenses)
Career Titles: WBO Heavyweight (2000-02, 5 Defenses); IBF Heavyweight (2006-Present, 10 Defenses); WBO Heavyweight (2008-Present, 6 KO); Ring Heavyweight (2009-Present, 3 Defenses); WBA “Super” (2011-Present)
Record in Title Fights: 17-2, 14 KO, 2 KOBY (Overall); 4-0, 3 KO (Lineal Only)
Last Five Opponents: David Haye (UD12), Samuel Peter (KO10), Eddie Chambers (KO12), Ruslan Chagaev (RTD9), Hasim Rahman (TKO7)

Next Opponent: TBA

The Take: Klitschko is the most dominant division ruler in the sport right now but, in reviewing film of his ongoing winning streak in the run up to his win over David Haye, the scarcity of talent around him in comparison to other top fighters across the weight scale, and his own limitations, were glaring.  If everyone were the same size, does anyone seriously think there aren’t ten fighters who could defeat a fighter as timid about engaging, as worried about getting hit, as groping, and as limited in offensive selection, as the Heavyweight king?  But maybe that’s the thing.  Klitschko looks beatable but for years has not been.  The fighters he’s fighting might not always look like much, but their amateur backgrounds and deep fundamentals say world class.  He didn’t look like a killer against archrival David Haye over the summer but, over twelve turgid rounds, Klitschko looked like what he he’s been for years: a winner.  One of the great Heavyweight jabs ever and a lethal right hand might have something to do with that?  For now, too many other divisions are that much better than Heavyweight but there simply is no fair conversation, at least at this moment, about the best in the game without mentioning the man who literally fills the bill.  The re-emergence of Alexander Povetkin as a force, and development of Robert Helenius, could provide some excellent platforms to further prove that sooner than later.  
     
Five More Who Could Easily Be Here: Giovanni Segura, Miguel Cotto, Lucian Bute, Anselmo Moreno, Pongsaklek Wonjongkam 

Five for the Future: Yuriorkis Gamboa, Amir Khan, Abner Mares, Victor Ortiz, Gennady Golovkin
As always, feel free to agree…and disagree.  This list is for entertainment purposes only and based purely on imagination, hypotheticals and conjecture just like every other pound for pound list ever written.  Neither it nor any other such list made up of such illusory ingredients should be used to forward corporate agendas of any kind.  

source: Cliff Rold -BoxingScene