ranking the best fighters in the world

WBC Super Middleweight Titleholder 43 2 (32) Last Year s Ranking: 19 Status Report: We ll forgive Kessler for starting the stampede that left the Super Six tourney a shell of its former ambitious self, and note that his loss to Andre Ward (Tech Dec 11) and his razor thin win over Carl Froch (W 12) both were exciting bouts that revealed the sorry truth that he gave his last very good performance against Joe Calzaghe. It won t get better from here. Hence the demotion. Future: At just 31 Kessler can still make money fighting outside the Super Six tournament once his injury has healed, and he will, against soft WBC mandatories.

WBC Lightweight Titleholder 54 7 2 (32) Last Year s Ranking: 33 Status Report: Soto had a very solid and busy year, with victories over Jesus Chavez (W 10), David Diaz (W 12), Ricardo Dominguez (W 12), Fidel Munoz (W 12), and highly rated Urbano Antillon in a war (W 12). That s the good news. The bad is that he hasn t stopped anyone since moving up from 130 pounds. That s discouraging for a guy who could crack the way he could at junior lightweight. Still, he remains one of the best 135 pounders in the world who can t get a very big fight, thank you very much, Bob Arum. Future: Reportedly a match with up and coming Brandon Rios. You ll want to lock up the women and children for that one.

Middleweight 35 1 0 (31) Last Year s Ranking: 15 Status Report: It was a rough year for everyone s favorite blue collar puncher. After scoring an easy title defense against Miguel Espino (KO 5), Pavlik was beating Sergio Martinez in a war until Martinez opened a cut the size of all of Ohio over Pavlik s eye (L 12). Future: At this writing Pavlik is undergoing treatment for alcoholism and might never fight again. If he does it s hard to imagine he will be as good as he was before he realized his every dream.

Lightweight 28 1 1 (18) Last Year s Ranking: 39 Status Report: Guerrero remains an interesting case. Wins over Vicente Escobedo (W 12), Robert Arrieta ( KO 8) and a completely shot Joel Casamayor (W 10) did little to advance his career, but Guerrero can fight. He didn t lose any momentum in the past year, but he didn

Welterweight 38 7 (27) Last Year s Ranking: 23 Status Report: Margarito won about six seconds against Manny Pacquiao (L 12) but there s no shame in that. He didn t look great in his comeback win over Roberto Garcia (W 10) either, but you don t see guys lining up to face him. Until proven otherwise, Margarito remains a moderate threat to anyone doing business around 150 pounds. Future: Our guess? A rematch with Miguel Cotto.

IBF Cruiserweight Titleholder 23 2 (12) Last Year s Ranking: 34 Status Report: The good news: Cunningham finally got out of his contract with Don King. The bad news: he signed with Sauerland Event, which means virtually all of his fights will take place in Europe. The first example: his win over Troy Ross (KO 5) for an alphabet strap, which went down in Germany. Future: Cunningham is almost certainly the best cruiserweight in the world now that Tomas Adamek is a heavyweight. Her deserves the chance to prove it. Frequently.

Light Heavyweight 50 14 2 (34) Last Year s Ranking: 18 Status Report: If not for Bernard Hopkins, Johnson would be the sport s most astounding older fighter. As it is, his performances against Allan Green (KO 8), Chad Dawson (L 12), Yusef Mack (KO 6) and 27 year old Tavoris Cloud (L 12) prove his mettle and worth, even now. There is not a tougher, harder working guy in this game. Still. Future: Carl Froch in the next round of the Super Six tournament.

WBA Bantamweight Titleholder 30 1 1 (10) Last Year s Ranking: 38 Status Report: Moreno is still one of the busier titleholders in the sport, which we guess you have to be as one of the WBA s ubiquitous super duper championship belt holders, but it s gotten a little dicey for him lately. He stopped Frederic Patrac (KO 11) but just scraped by Nehomar Cermeno twice (W 12). He s just 25 years old so he shouldn t be slowing down already. Future: We d like to see him settle unfinished business with Cermeno

Flyweight 22 1 (14) Last Year s Ranking: Unranked Status Report: The Japanese star breaks into the top 50 based on a win over Daisuke Naito (UD 12), a close loss to Pongsaklek Wonjongkam (MD 12), comeback victory over Cecilio Santos (KO 4), and bantamweight strap winning performance over Alexander Munoz (UD 12). The critics were hoping Kameda would fall apart when he finally stepped up. He didn t. That s why he s here. Future: An April title defense in Japan (where else?).

Bantamweight 21 0 (13) Last Year s Ranking: Unranked Status Report: Mares wonderful slugfest with Vic Arachnidan (W 12) in the first leg of Showtime