By Gary Purfield
Manny Pacquiao received every first place vote this month in the Nowboxing pound for pound top ten while Sergio Martinez and Nonito Donaire hold at two and three. Floyd Mayweather continues to fall dropping to ninth. Several writers left him off their list entirely due to being inactive for one year as of May 1 and not having a fight scheduled.
Yuriokis Gamboa enters the top ten after his impressive win over Jorge Solis at number eight. Mayweather dropping elevates Juan Manuel Marquez and Wladimir Klitschko to round out the top five. Juan Manuel Lopez ninth last month is dropped after being knocked out by Orlando Salido.
Three of the top ten P4P members will be in action this month. Pacquiao first up will look to hold the top spot against Shane Mosley in the first major event of the year. Number seven Andre Ward will be heavily favored over Arthur Abraham in the Super Six semi-finals and the ageless wonder Bernard Hopkins gets another crack at becoming the oldest boxer to win a major title in his rematch with Jean Pascal.
NowBoxing pound-for-pound list for May 2011:
1. Manny Pacquiao
1st place votes: 4
Total points: 40
Position last month: 1
Previous fight: UD Win over Antonio Margarito November 13, 2010
Next Up: May 7 vs. Shane Mosley Las Vegas, NV
Manny is the clear #1. His string of dominance since the Morales loss speaks for itself. Still hoping for the eventual showdown with Floyd.
2. Sergio Martinez
1st place votes: 0
Total points: 77
Position last month: 2
Previous fight: KO 8 Sergei Dzinziruk March 12, 2011
Next Up: TBA
Activity and sheer dominance of last three elite opponents puts Martinez into the top 2. Question is who he can find at 160 to test his skill.
3. Nonito Donaire
1st place votes: 0
Total points: 30
Position last month: 3
Previous fight: KO Round 2 Fernando Montiel February 19, 2011
Next Up: TBA
While the ranking is still partly on perceived skill/potential crushing KO of Montiel was impressive. Move to Golden Boy will spark major promotional fight outside of the ring.
4. Juan Manuel Marquez
1st place votes: 0
Total points: 29
Position last month: 5
Previous fight: TKO Round 9 Michael Katsidis November 27, 2010
Next Up: TBA
Even in upper 30’s Marquez continues to dominate anyone under 135lbs and gets more exciting each fight. Is in the midst of promotional matters and always still looking for Pacquiao again.
5. Wladimir Klitschko
1st place votes: 0
Total points: 18
Position last month: 7
Previous fight: KO Round 10 Sam Peter September 11, 2010
Next Up: Vs. David Haye July 2 Hamburg Germany
Just simply dominates everyone in front of him. Not his fault the division cannot offer a true challenge. Finally gets his wish against David Haye in July.
6. Tim Bradley
1st place votes: 0
Total points: 12
Position last month: 6
Previous fight: Technical Decision win Devon Alexander January 29, 2011
Next Up: TBA
Does nothing perfectly but does everything well. Bradley keeps beating everyone in front of him. Bring on Khan to decide supremacy at 140.
7. Andre Ward
1st place votes: 0
Total points: 11
Position last month: 10
Previous fight: UD win over Sakio Bika November 27, 2010
Next Up: Arthur Abraham May 14, 2011 Carson, CA
Can do it all, box or brawl, fight inside or out. Has all the tools to reach the top spot at some point
8. Yuriokis Gamboa
1st place votes: 3
Total points: 9
Position last month: NA
Previous fight: TKO 8 over Jorge Solis March 26, 2011
Next Up: TBA
Has the entire package of speed, skill, and power. May have the potential to be a future number one P4P fighter.
9. Floyd Mayweather
1st place votes: 0
Total points: 8
Position last month: 4
Previous fight: Unanimous decision win over Shane Mosley
Next Up: TBA
May be the best in the world but needs to fight to prove it. First needs to win in the courtroom.
10. Bernard Hopkins
1st place votes: 0
Total points: 8
Position last month: 8
Previous fight: Majority Draw Jean Pascal December 18, 2010
Next Up: May 21 vs. Jean Pascal Montreal Canada
Even at age 46 he continues to be a top level force. Great defense, superior conditioning, and dedication allow him stay at the top
Others receiving votes/points: Vitali Klitschko (6), Giovanni Segura (5), Amir Khan (4), Saul Alvarez (3), Zab Judah (1), Orlando Salido (1)
P4P Voting Panel: Gary Purfield, Ingming Aberia, Lamar Sparkman, Reni Valenzuela
If you write for Nowboxing and would like to submit your votes for P4P best contact me at the email below or Nowboxing’s editor at submit@nowboxing.com
Question, comment, agree, disagree, or anything at all, send it to gpurf3@hotmail.com
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