"The Bible of Boxing" as it is known worldwide has recently undergone a makeover. No, it doesn't have new clothes and blonde highlights. This makeover is on the inside and not everyone is happy about it.
If you haven't read The Ring then I urge you to start doing so. If you want to stay informed on boxing there is no better way. The mag is known for it's dedication to the sweet science and there is not a more knowledgeable staff of boxing writers anywhere in the world.
But I digress. There are alot of people who are upset with the current changes in the ownership of The Ring. Oscar de la Hoya, former champion and current promoter, has recently taken over publishment of the magazine from Kappa Publishing (a company better know for it's crossword puzzle books).
So why all the hubbub?
The Ring magazine's ratings and championship system are currently considered the most legitimate in the sport. The Ring has no sanctioning fees, no people in smoke filled rooms deciding to strip fighters of their belt, and no direct connections with fight promoters...until now. While sanctioning fees and the smokey rooms haven't been added, there is no denying that Oscar de la Hoya will have significant influence on it's publication.
However, what it all boils down to is this: will Golden Boy Promotions use their influence to ruin the last safe haven for honest boxing rankings and legit champions? I doubt it. De la Hoya wants to help clean up the sport. He's said it numerous times. He's even enlisted fellow fighter such as Bernard Hopkins and Shane Mosely to help him, and I think it is working.
Did you enjoy the Mosley-Cotto PPV? Like seeing Mayweather and Hatton get it on? What about Barrera-Pacquiaou II? Yep, all Goldenboy promotions. Goldenboy promotions gives us the fights we want to see, and I see no reason why they wouldn't give us the magazine we want to read as well.
Yes, The Ring is changing, but it's for the better. Go pick one up. You'll see that not only is the magazine's ratings system still fair and unbiased, but you'll also notice that since De la Hoya's purchase the magazine is offering more bang for your buck than ever!
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P4P List: February
A new feature here will be my personal pound for pound list. As you know, pound for pound lists are the rankings of the top fighters in the world regardless of the weight they fight at. Sugar Ray Robinson is consistently ranked as the #1 boxer P4P ever. It doesn't mean he could have beaten Muhammed Ali or Joe Frazier, but it does mean he could beat them if they were the same size.
It's fun and there is no right answer (except mine, of course)
1. Floyd Mayweather: If you follow boxing at all than you know this is a no-brainer. Mayweather is the best defensive figher in the world and he showed some pop in his KO of Hatton in December. His next fight is a rematch with Oscar De La Hoya which he should win easily.
2. Manny Pacqiauo: Manny P. is a ball of lightning fast fury, and since bringing Freddi Roach on board he has been a better all-around boxer. He has a tough test against J.M. Marquez coming up which should decide his P4P future.
3. Joe Calzaghe: Calzaghe is the best super-middleweight in the world, but can he get past light heavyweight champ Bernard Hopkins?
4. Bernard Hopkins: B-Hop is one of the greatest fighters ever and at 41 he continues to beat top rated superstars. He is absolutely amazing even if his fights are considered boring by mainstream fan numbskulls.
5. Juan Manuel Marquez: Marquez is on a path to higher pay and increased respect if he can pull off what fellow Mexican superstars Marco Antonio Barrera and Eric Morales couldn't by defeating Manny Pacquiao.
So there you go.
Most P4P lists are top 10, but I get bored after listing about 5. Actually, after the top 5 it gets a bit too muddled to make accurate rankings so here are the next 5 in no particular order:
Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Kelly Pavlik, Winky Wright and Ivan Calderon (who gets no respect from anyone).
Send me your list at kelseymccarson@enterto.com! | 
