BBC British Boxing Pound For Pound Top Ten http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/boxing/17691531 Ignoring weight, this subjective list takes into account fighters' recent results, their skills, resilience and punching power. The list will be updated periodically and should be treated as a talking point. Let the debate begin. 1. Carl Froch - Super-middleweight Nottingham (31-2, 22KOs) Froch beat Mikkel Kessler in a classic rematch in London and is now chasing a return with American kingpin Andre Ward - although compatriot George Groves could be first. 2. David Haye - Heavyweight London (26-2, 24KOs) Haye faces Manchester's Tyson Fury in September, which could pave the way for another world title shot against either Wladimir or Vitali Klitschko. Haye is widely expected to prevail. 3. Ricky Burns - Lightweight Coatbridge (36-2, 11KOs) Burns made Jose Gonzalez quit in the third defence of his WBO title but it was a rocky ride while it lasted. The Coatbridge man fights Mexican Raymundo Beltran in September. 4. Kell Brook - Welterweight Sheffield (30-0, 20KOs) After an intensely frustrating nine months Brook was impressive in beating Carson Jones in a rematch. Brook faces Ricky Hatton's conqueror Vyacheslav Senchenko in October. 5. Amir Khan - Light-welterweight Bolton (28-3, 19KOs) Khan very nearly came a cropper against former world champion Julio Diaz but rode out the storm to stay on target for a world title shot later this year. 6. Carl Frampton - Super-bantamweight Belfast (16-0, 11KOs) Frampton continued his rise through the super-bantamweight ranks with an impressive win over European champion Kiko Martinez and can't be far off a world title shot. 7. Scott Quigg - Super-bantamweight Bury (25-0-1, 17KOs) Quigg made former world title challenger Rendall Munroe look old last December and gets a shot at the vacant WBA crown against Yoandris Salinas in September. 8. Martin Murray - Middleweight St Helens (25-1-1, 11 KOs) Murray gave a game display in challenging for Sergio Martinez's WBC crown in in Buenos Aires and will no doubt earn another world title shot either this year or next. 9. Nathan Cleverly - Light-heavyweight Cefn Fforest (26-1, 12KOs) The Welshman came unstuck against Russia's Sergey Kovalev, putting paid to dreams of a unification match against the legendary Bernard Hopkins. Rebuilding could be painful. 10. Tony Bellew - Light-heavyweight Liverpool (20-1-1, 12KOs) Bellew overcame the awkward Malian Isaac Chilemba in their rematch in May and should now fight either WBC title-holder Adonis Stevenson or Tavoris Cloud.
I wouldn't disagree with the top 3, the rest could be argued in different positions though. Think Groves could be on some people's list.
I think I'd replace the bottom two too. Cleverley got blown out the first time he faced anyone decent, whereas Bellew hasn't impressed for ages. Jamie McDonnell would be more worthy, as would Darren Barker. I reckon Brook needs some better performances against better opponents to justify his high placing as well, although I know the title fight falling through recently was disappointing for him. The good thing is that we have a very good crop of prospects ready to join the top ten in a year or two. Kal Yafai the pick of the bunch.
