Things seemed a lot more simple back when the likes of Roy Jones Jr. and, later, Floyd Mayweather were unquestionably on top of boxing's most exclusive (and debateable) list, the pound for pound rankings. There was a time not that long ago when Roy Jones Jr. possessed an almost freakish level skill that was so far beyond that of his opponents, that he often got away with a style and technique no trainer would dare instill in a fighter. Even the likes of James Toney and Bernard Hopkins had no clue how to solve the human jigsaw puzzle that was Roy Jones. From the middleweight to the heavyweight division, Jones dazzled the crowds with body shot knockouts and fighting with both hands behind his back. Indeed, after Jones won a piece of the heavyweight title from lightly regarded John Ruiz in March of 2003, the Pensecola, FL native seemed to have it all, or so he thought. The beginning of the end came for Jones when he signed on to fight late bloomer Antonio Tarver. After Jones won a controversial decision in their first fight that saw Jones look lethargic at best, Jones again climbed into the ring with Tarver, only to be knocked out in the second round. The outcome of the fight shocked everyone who witnessed it, and subsequently forced Jones to give up the title of boxing's best pound for pound fighter.
 
Until recently, "Pretty Boy" Floyd Mayweather Jr. also occupied the top ranking on the pound for pound list. Knockout victories over Arturo Gatti, Diego Corrales, and Ricky Hatton brought the 1996 Olympic bronze medalist into boxing's brightest spotlight, and a slot on Dancing with the Stars made him a household name by exposing him to an audience that is still probably under the impression that Mike Tyson is still the heavyweight champion of the world. Mayweather's brash, trash-talking personality might not have made him the most well liked fighter in boxing, but it did generate money from fans who were willing to see if anyone out there had what it took to defeat the Grand Rapids native. Recently, Mayweather announced his retirement to the world, and left many scratching their heads, wondering why Mayweather would hang up his gloves while in the prime of his money making career. While you’re more likely to find a greater abundance of people who believe that one plus one equals three than that Mayweather will stay retired, the fact of the matter is that Floyd is officially retired (for now), and that leaves us to ponder one question…

Who should take his spot at the top of the pound for pound list?
 
At this moment, there are three real challengers for the title that Mayweather left behind. Manny Pacquiao, Kelly Pavlik, and Joe Calzaghe all have legitimate arguments pertaining to their reasons for being boxing's best, but who is the real champ? There are several factors that must be considered when trying to narrow down the field, such as overall record, skills, and level of opposition. The quintessential pound for pound king should have all three of these attributes because, after all, all the skill in the world won't make you any better if your fighting journeymen for a living, and the level of their opposition would also mean nothing if they didn't possess the skills to obtain victory. Theoretically, the sports best should be the full package. So who comes the closest to meeting all of this criteria? Let's take a look.
 
Yes, Joe Calzaghe is undefeated, and nobody can take that away from him (for now). The pride of Wales hasn't lost a fight since 1990, so the "Italian Dragon's" overall record is his best claim to the throne. However, Calzaghe's biggest wins have come against The Contender runner up Peter Manfredo, overrated Friday Night Fight's main event attraction Jeff Lacy, an injured Mikkel Kessler, and an old Bernard Hopkins in a fight that could have easily gone the other way due, in part, to Calzaghe's trip to the canvas. In addition to that, all but two of Calzaghe's fights have happened in his own backyard. Yes, Calzaghe has impressive skills, but to stake his claim, he'll have to fight younger opposition here in the states before fight fans will be ready to truly except him.
 
Kelly Pavlik is quite possibly the hardest puncher (pound for pound wise) in all of boxing today. The current middleweight champion of the world is fast approaching stardom, and another huge win against another top opponent could push him to the top spot in the rankings. Pavlik's record includes two impressive wins over the former undefeated champion Jermain Taylor, and a spectacular knockout victory over Edison Miranda. Next on the list, Pavlik will look to further solidify his superstar status with a win over the aging Bernard Hopkins. Pavlik has been able to impress many with not only his hard punching power, but his pure boxing ability as well. In his rematch with Jermain Taylor, Pavlik proved he was not just simply a relentless attacker, but also a jab-savvy boxer. The rematch with Taylor proved that Pavlik's first victory was not a fluke.What has also helped fans gain that much more respect for Pavlik is that he has been tested! In his first fight with Taylor, Pavlik got up off the canvas to come back and knockout Taylor, so in addition to all the other aspects that make a great pound for pound champion, the man is tough as nails. So as it stands, Pavlik has his level of skill and his undefeated record leaning in his favor. However, while Pavlik is making waves fast, boxing fans looking to crown Youngstown’s finest king of the world should wait a few years until Pavlik's career has progressed and he has a few more big wins on his record. Perhaps a few big wins in boxing's white-hot light heavyweight division will add fuel to "The Ghost's" argument, but for now, we should just sit back and watch this future hall of famer continue to build up his resume.
 
This brings us to the human ball of fire that is Manny Pacquiao. You want speed, power, and relentless aggression? Look no further boxing fans, this lightweight superstar has all three of these attributes in spades. Pacquiao has earned the respect of all boxing fans due, mostly, to his often exciting fights that have produced wins over high caliber competition such as Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Juan Manuel Marquez. True, Pacquiao isn't undefeated, but the level of competition Pacquiao has fought and defeated more than makes up for his meager three losses. At this point in his career, Pacquiao must go after the absolute best fighters he can get his hands on in order to obtain the number one spot on the pound for pound list, and he appears to sure be trying his hardest to make that happen. Although talks of a potential mega-fight with Oscar De La Hoya seem to have fallen through the cracks, a rubber match against Juan Manuel Marquez would be an extremely nice constellation prize for fight fans to witness. There are, however, critics who will argue that Pacquiao has sub-par boxing skills that are merely covered up by his fast and furious style, but Pacquiao's wins over seemingly better pure boxers have taken some of the steam out of those arguments.
 
So this brings us back to square one, who's the best? As it stands at the moment, I'd have to give it to Pacquiao. Sure, Pavlik and Calzaghe have better records, but when you have beaten Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales both twice, and have a victory over Juan Manuel Marquez to top it off, it seems almost impossible for me to look at it any other way. Of course, things could all change in the blink of an eye if Mayweather decides he's had enough of his "retirement", and get's back in the ring where he belongs. While Manny is the best right now, Mayweather's skills, level of opposition, and undefeated record eclipses even that of Pacquiao's right now, but like I said, that can all change in the blink of an eye. Boxing is such an unpredictable sport, who knows what the future will bring. Maybe Pavlik, Calzaghe, Pacquiao, and a returning Mayweather all get knocked out in their next fights and Israel Vazquez takes the top spot.

Hey, it could happen…