P4P List (Top 5)
Disclosure: In text book definition, the term Pound-for-Pound meant pure transcendent talent that establishes greatness at any level with all things remaining equal. In recent years, we've seen the term take on a new meaning. That new meaning has been shaped to encompass 5 key attributes: 1.) pure transcendent talent 2.) heart, 3.) ring generalship, 4.) resume and 5.) drawing power (which shouldn't be part of the list, but in an unspoken law, apparently it is, as fighters like Winky Wright and James Toney never earned the 'title', despite being ahead of the class in comparison to others like Oscar De La Hoya and Kelly Pavlik who consistently were. Scoring system measures 5 points based on 5 categories:
PURE TALENT: Fast hands, beautiful footwork, a near impenetrable defense, and a ring intellect that remains unparalleled makes Mayweather easily one of the best in the history of the sport. (1 point)
HEART: Many have chose to question this element within Floyd Mayweather jr., but to his credit, each of his opponents were able to dwell in their natural habitat, with no catch-weights necessary, including ODH at the 154lb division. (1 point)
RING GENERALSHIP:None for great defense and a speedy offense, the one most dangerous element to Mayweather's game is his ability to control and dictate the pace of a fight. (1 point)
RESUME: If there is any question surrounding Mayweather in this list, this is it. His resume is far deeper than he receives credit for, but his decision to walk away in '07 with several challenges on the table slightly take away from this score. (0.75 points)
DRAWING POWER: Some like to question the strength of Mayweather as it relates to drawing power, but the best PPV and gate monetary figures in the history of the sport happened with him co-leading the card. (1 point)
PURE TALENT: No one can deny the warrior spirit of Manny Pacquiao, but despite a vast improvement, fundamentally,his skill level leaves a bit to be desired - on the defensive side - as precision punchers find their mark far too easily. (0.5 points)
HEART: No where in the sport at any weight level can you find a more 'game' fighter than Manny Pacquiao. His rise in weight and ability to take on the best makes this category a no brainer. (1 point)
RING GENERALSHIP: Similar to Floyd Mayweather jr., Pacquiao is as brilliant as it gets when it comes to ring generalship and dictating the pace. (1 point)
RESUME: Categorically, this topic is a no-brainer, as Pacquiao has never seen a challenge he didn't like, and has taken on every challenge he could find. (1 point)
DRAWING POWER: Manny Pacquiao remains a perennial force in the sport, and has become a global icon. Although his PPV#'s having always demonstrated this, his appeal is without question larger than life.
(1 point)
PURE
TALENT: Call his style ugly, a 'spoiler', or whatever you must, but
there's a reason no one can land a square shot on him, and that's the
reason he remains at the top of this list, despite his age of 45. (0.75
points)
HEART: A true old-school throwback type
fighter, Hopkins remains one of the most gutsiest competitors in the
sport. Similar to Pacquiao, he's never met a challenge he didn't like.
(1 point)
RING GENERALSHIP: Possessing one of the
most awkward styles in the sport and long known for spoiling his
opponents abilities, few can dictate the pace of a fight like Hopkins.
(1 point)
RESUME: Over the years, regardless of
which weight class he has been a part of, Hopkins has faced the best
competition available, from Jermain Taylor, to Kelly Pavlik, to Jones
and beyond. (1 point)
DRAWING POWER: Whether it be his brash
nature or his 'doing-it-my-way' demeanor, Hopkins's ability to draw has
been no reflection of his talent and remains subpar which is a very
perplexing thing. (0.25)
4. Vitali Klitschko (3.75/5)
PURE TALENT: Considering his size the considerable advantage it gives him over 95% of his opposition, it's hard to analyze the worth of Vitali's talent, but none-the-less, his fundamentals are as good as one could ask for in a heavyweight his size. (0.75 points)
HEART: Humble by nature, Vitali isn't one to call out an opponent, but that truth is never to be mistaken as a fear factor, as this warrior will step in the ring with the best competition available at any given moment.
(1 point)
RING GENERALSHIP: Towering over most of his opposition, better than average athleticism for a fighter his size and a stiff jab allow Vitali to control the pace better than possibly any heavyweight in the history of the game. (1 point)
RESUME: This is where things come into question for Vitali. He can't be blamed for arriving to the sport during a weak era, but his resume is what it is, and that unfortunately for him isn't much. (0.5 points)
DRAWING POWER: This question is a bit complex. In his neck of the woods, Vitali can sell out any venue you place him in, regardless of capacity. Around the world, however, very little about him is able to attract those who have very little interest to begin with. (0.50)
5. Shane Mosley (3.5/5)
PURE
TALENT: Shane Mosley has given the sport a ton of phenomenal moments, but that's large in part based on the fact that he is willing to take a few shots to land a few shots. Offensively, he's a blast to watch, but defensively, he can be hit at will against a sharp-shooter and has failed to adjust despite years in the sport. (0.50 points)
HEART: A fierce competitor, Mosley can never be mistaken for a fighter controlled by a fear factor. He's as tough as nails and will never back down. (1 point)
RING GENERALSHIP: Despite his fierce nature, Mosley has shown a trend of confusion when facing fundamental experts of the past. Under Nazim Richardson this has changed, but remains a work in progress at this stage. (0.5 points)
RESUME: The resume of Shane Mosley leaves no questions to ask. At every stage of his career he has taken on the best, and in most cases, he defeated them.
(1 point)
DRAWING POWER: Despite great success over the years, whether it be because of his humble nature or his lack of passion for the spotlight, few have flocked to see his fury. He's one of the best of the last few decades, but his box numbers would never confirm this indisputable truth. (0.5 points)
