It's very difficult do anything with him because of his inactivity and two fight winning streak over Rafael Marquez, but the idea that Israel Vazquez is the fourth best fighter on the planet (he is rated that highly by the Ring, as well) flabbergasts me. Even before the trilogy with Marquez, which presumably has mitigated his physical talent and durability, he was being schooled by Jhonny Gonzalez, who has a penchant for getting knocked out in fights that he's dominating. Unless Juanma Lopez's impressive looking ability is entirely chimerical, I'd favor him, as well as Caballero, over Vazquez. But, until Izzy gets back into the ring, it's tough to move him.
1. Manny Pacquiao 2. Juan Manuel Marquez 3. Bernard Hopkins 4. Israel Vazquez 5. Shane Mosley 6. Rafael Marquez 7. Miguel Cotto 8. Paul Williams 9. Ivan Calderon 10. Ricky Hatton 11. Juan Manuel Lopez 12. Vic Darchinyan 13. Chad Dawson 14. Kelly Pavlik 15. Nonito Donaire 16. Nate Campbell 17. Celestino Caballero 18. Vitalai Klitschko 19. Wladimir Klitschko 20. Jermain Taylor 21. Mikkel Kessler 22. Juan Diaz 23. David Haye 24. Arthur Abraham 25. Chris John 26. Fernando Montiel 27. Joan Guzman 28. Robert Guererro 29. Jorge Linares 30. Christian Mijares
I Had Vazquez at 5, Calzaghe retired so everyone move's up a place. His days are numbered there though as of march when he will have been out of the ring for a year. When i make my list's i take into acount body of work over the last year or so ie: Haye Unified Cruiserweight in the last year and is riding high on my list based on that accomplisment and beating Mormeck in Paris, Hattons win over Tzsyu is nearly 4 year's ago now so is too far back to give him a high placing in 2009. Dawson, Williams and Hatton could all move up in the next couple of months, Hatton maybe should be in the top ten his win over Malignaggi was impressive but Malignaggi was awful, detracting a little for me and Hatton struggled against Lazcano who was in effect a blown up Lightweight, so i dont think he should be back in the top ten yet, A win over Pacquiao though is a different kettle of fish and something like that would probably put him around 5 on my list. Anyway it's all academic because it's not like i'm working for the ring Magazine or my list matters in the big sceme it's just a bit of fun really. Have you got a list? wouldnt mind seeing some other people's efforts.
Well said.:good He's at 4 by a combination of Default and other fighter's losing momentum over the past year. Imagine if Pavlik had beaten Hopkins there would be a case for him being top 5, Or Cotto beating Margarito i would have him top 3.