Who are today's top Mexican/Mexican-American fighters?

I ran into this article on the mannypacquiao.ph news links. Got me thinking about my personal top 20. I gotta give it some good thought. What's your current top 20 look like?

The Current Top 20 Mexican/Mexican-American Fighters

By Juan Zurita - Not too long ago, many boxing fans were questioning the future of Mexican boxing. With Juan Manuel Marquez getting closer to 40 each day, it was hard to blame them. After Marquez, there didn't appear to be any potential superstars on the rise and for awhile it seemed like Mexican fighters weren't doing themselves any favors by constantly dropping like flies.

However, as quickly as those questions arose, the Mexican boxing scene had yet another rebirth.

Hernan Marquez traveled to Panama and came back with a world title. Giovani Segura defeated Ivan Calderon for the second time. Jhonny Gonzalez traveled to Japan and knocked out Hozumi Hasegawa for a featherweight title. Brandon Rios won a lightweight title with a thrilling victory over Miguel Acosta. Marco Antonio Rubio traveled to Canada and took David Lemieux's unblemished record. Victor Ortiz shocked the boxing world by defeating highly touted Andre Berto. And perhaps the most shocking of them all, Orlando Salido traveled to Puerto Rico and upset Puerto Rico's pride, Juan Manuel Lopez, a fighter whom many were already hailing as a future top p4per. ​

I think it's now safe to say Mexican boxing will be fine, as always.​

It has been about a year or two since I published an update to this list. I now plan to update it regularly through this blog at least 3-4 times per year. ​

Just a little background for those of you who have not previously followed my published Top 20 Current Mexican Fighter lists, I have chosen to combine Mexican and Mexican-American fighters since Mexican-American fighters do not have a large enough pool to warrant their own list. In addition, many Mexican-Americans consider themselves "Mexican" due to their cultural upbringing.​

Note: The criteria for these rankings is based on quality of opposition, accomplishments, potential, and a personal "gut" feeling of how each fighter compares to one another. Other items that could help a fighter's ranking: Undefeated record, quality wins, longevity, titles in multiple divisions, success in original 8 divisions.​

1. Juan Manuel Marquez, 37, (Mexican) 52-5-1, 38 KOs, WBO/WBA/Ring Lightweight Champion - Three-division champion. Marquez is the last man to test Pacquiao in a fight many felt he deserved to win. He now sits patiently deciding whether he should renew with Golden Boy Promotions and settle for fights against Judah and Guerrero or sign with Top Rank in hopes of landing a third bout with Pacquiao. However, the latter may come with a price considering that Marquez would very likely be forced to move up to the welterweight division. Ring Magazine Lightweight Champion & #5 p4per.​

2. Giovani Segura, 29, (Mexican) 27-1-1, 23 KOs, WBO Light Flyweight Champion - Holds two quality wins over Ivan Calderon who was already a bit past it by the time Segura got to him. Rumored to be back in action May 28 against TBA. Ring Magazine Junior Flyweight Champion and #9 p4per.​

3. Abner Mares, 25, (Mexican) 21-0-1, 13 KOs - Win over Darchinyan. Draw against Perez in a bout many felt he deserved to win. Hasn't accomplished a lot but he has the look of a future star. Ring Magazine #4 ranked bantamweight. ​

4. Victor Ortiz, 24, (Mexican-American) 28-2-2, 22 KOs, WBC Welterweight Champion - Recently moved up from 140 to 147 to upset Andre Berto and win a welterweight title. Could he be the one to finally derail Pacquiao at welterweight? Ring Magazine #2 ranked welterweight. ​

5. Brandon Rios, 25, (Mexican-American) 27-0-1, 20 KOs, WBA Lightweight Champion - Recently defeated Miguel Acosta to win a lightweight title. Upcoming first defense July 9 against formidable contender Urbano Antillon. Ring Magazine #1 ranked lightweight.

Full Article: http://www.boxingfanatics.com/forums/content/current-top-20-mexican-fighters-may-2011-296/
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Can't disagree there cesare. He's number #1 until someone closer to his size takes him out or one of the younger Mexicans make a strong case for himself.

 

Their pool is extremely deep. You know it's deep when every year a fighter with a journeyman-like record pulls off a big upset.

 

Rios I can see considering his big win over Acosta, but how can someone rank a fighter who has only been fighting for a few years with ZERO quality wins? :huh

Garcia hasn't even fought for a regional title yet.

 

Rios is good but I can't help but feel that his poor defense is going to get him in trouble within a few years. I can't see that flame lasting for a long time.