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Articles of 2004

November’s Pound for Pound List

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A stunningly easy victory by Kostya Tszyu last week means a new boxing pound for pound list, November's edition.

1. Bernard Hopkins: The undisputed middleweight champ is on a vacation after his September knockout of Oscar De La Hoya. The victory heightened Hopkins' star power, and he will likely be matched with a big name like Antonio Tarver sometime in 2005. Meanwhile, he'll feast on longshots like Howard Eastman.

2. Floyd Mayweather: Not much has been heard from “Pretty Boy” Floyd since his May decision over DeMarcus Corley. Could it be he is again allowing his brittle hands to heal? Possibly. He is also waiting to see what happens now that Tszyu is back in the picture; as well as the result of January's Arturo Gatti-Jesse James Leija battle.

3. Felix Trinidad: “Tito” is also planning his next plan of attack after destroying Ricardo Mayorga in October. More than likely, after another possible tuneup, its either old foe Oscar De La Hoya or another stab at pound for pound king Hopkins – still his only loss. Or both. Can you imagine how big Hopkins-Trinidad 2 would be if Tito beats De La Hoya again?

4. Antonio Tarver: Could be in his prime after his May stunner over Roy Jones Jr. But he probably should have fought again by now. He'll close out the year with an intriguing showdown against fellow Jones-basher Glencoffe Johnson in December.

5. Erik Morales: What more can you ask of the Tijuana native? He's won titles in three divisions, and beaten every formidable fighter between 122 and 130 pounds. The winner of Morales-Barrera 3 on Nov. 27 will be called the greatest little guy of their generation.

6. Manny Pacquiao: Like Tarver, “Pac-Man” should have probably stepped in the ring again by now, even though his May showdown with Juan Manuel Marquez was brutal. Save for a mandatory title defense, Pacquiao's boxing career seems on hold until Morales and Barrera finish their business. 7. Kostya Tszyu: The “Thunder from Down Under” was away for almost two years, but he's back with gusto after his shellacking of Sharmba Mitchell last week in Phoenix. True, Mitchell didn't put up much resistence, but that may be due to Tszyu's punching power. Now, he looks forward to showdowns with Gatti, Mayweather and Cory Spinks.

8. Marco Antonio Barrera: The Mexican great returned with a splendid performance against Paulie Ayala in June. Now, he hopes to continue his comeback against rival Morales on Nov. 27. It will be the third time Barrera and Morales hook up, and this one will be for all the marbles. Could this be Ali-Frazier 3, in which neither fighter is the same afterwards. Quite possibly.

9. Winky Wright: Wright's future was thought to be full of multi-million dollar showdowns against the De La Hoyas, Hopkinses and Trinidads of the world, but all he's getting is a ho-hum rematch with Shane Mosley, who he dominated in March. Expect a repeat victory, and a fight against one of the “Big Three” in 2005.

10. Oscar De La Hoya: Okay, so the “Golden Boy” was crushed with a single left to the liver against Hopkins. Until then, De La Hoya was putting up a pretty decent fight against a guy who was much bigger. He's still the sport's biggest name, and, regardless of who he fights, it will be a pay-per-view bonanza. Don't think Trinidad and Wright don't know it.

11. Juan Manuel Marquez: Marquez broke into the top 10 after his May war with Pacquiao. But after a September snoozer with outclassed Orlando Salido, Marquez may have taken a step backward. Not that it matters. He'll get a chance to redeem himself eventually against Pacquiao, Morales or Barrera.

12. Jose Luis Castillo: The tough Mexican showed his resilience in his June victory over favored Juan Lazcano. Now, Castillo has signed for a relatively quick December showdown against multi-talented Joel Casamayor. Castillo is bigger and stronger, but Casamayor is as dangerous an opponent as the champ could find.

On the brink: Diego Corrales, James Toney

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Articles of 2004

2004 Boxing Pound for Pound List

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The final boxing pound-for-pound list of the year for 2004.

1. Bernard Hopkins: The top guy from beginning to end, Hopkins took care of Oscar De La Hoya with a body shot in the biggest fight of 2004. Now, he'll wait for Jermain Taylor to progress a little further, or he'll go the rematch route with Felix Trinidad. Either way, Hopkins stands to earn a lot of money in 2005 and extend that all-time middleweight reign.

2. Floyd Mayweather: How long has it been since we've seen Mayweather in a meaningful fight? Certainly not in 2004, when he outpointed the difficult DeMarcus Corley. He's slated for a January outing against a no-name. Enough stalling, already, “Pretty Boy”. Fight someone we care about (preferably Kostya Tszyu), or you'll lose your #2 position sometime in 2005.

3. Felix Trinidad: “Tito” stormed back with a magnificent knockout of Ricardo Mayorga in 2004, and now hopes to capitalize on it with big money fights. He'd like nothing more than a rematch with his only conqueror, Hopkins, but he may also opt for old nemesis Oscar De La Hoya. Either way, Trinidad is sure to fight a big fight sometime in the coming year.

4. Kostya Tszyu: What a difference one fight makes. As recently as late October, the boxing world was wondering whether Tszyu was even serious about the sport anymore. We found out with a second round demolition of Sharmba Mitchell. And that made the junior welterweight division very attractive. Tszyu has several options now, including Arturo Gatti and Mayweather or even a hop up to welterweight to challenge Cory Spinks. Let's hope one of them happens in 2005.

5. Manny Pacquiao: Pacquiao fought twice in 2004, and what a fight the first one was. His thrilling war with Juan Manuel Marquez was the best brawl of the year, and there is a chance that the two rivals will go at it again in 2005. If not, Pacquiao has a list full of options: Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, etc. Pacquiao will fight one of them in the next year.

6. Marco Antonio Barrera: Another guy thought to be washed up when the year started, Barrera resurrected his career for the second time with a masterful victory over Paulie Ayala and a close decision over rival Erik Morales in another great fight. Barrera is obviously shooting for a return with Pacquiao, who decimated him in November 2003. Barrera says it was an off-night. Hopefully, we'll find out if that was the case.

7. Winky Wright: Winky entered the “superstar” realm in 2004 with a pair of decision victories over Shane Mosley. The first was very impressive, as Wright practically shut Mosley out. The second was closer, but proved once again that Winky was the superior fighter. He'd like a shot at Trinidad or Oscar De La Hoya, but neither will happen. He'd probably be best off shooting for a name like Fernando Vargas or Ricardo Mayorga.

8. Juan Manuel Marquez: After several years on the outside looking in, Marquez is finally in a position to make some money after his courageous performance against Pacquiao. He rose from three first-round knockdowns to wage the fight of his life in a fight that was ruled a draw. It would also be interesting to see Marquez against countrymen Barrera and Erik Morales.

9. Erik Morales: “El Terrible” fought another great fight against Barrera, but, again, it was in a losing cause. He has now lost two of three to his fierce rival, and probably wants nothing to do with him anymore. But, eventually, talk of Barrera-Morales 4 will come up again. In the meantime, Morales could shoot for Pacquiao or Marquez.

10. Glencoffe Johnson: The newest entry, Johnson pumped some life into boxing in 2004 with a pair of upsets of Roy Jones Jr. and Antonio Tarver. Now, he's set to make some really big money in rematches with either, or a shot at old conqueror Hopkins. Either way, Johnson is better than anyone imagined.

11. Jose Luis Castillo: Castillo made some comeback noise of his own in 2004, beating Juan Lazcano for his old vacant title and decisioning Joel Casamayor for another big win. He says he wants Kostya Tszyu next, and if that materializes, boxing fans will be in for a treat. If not, Castillo vs. Diego Corrales is a great fight.

12. Oscar De La Hoya: Hard to erase that picture of De La Hoya grimacing in agony courtesy of a Hopkins shot to the ribs, but the “Golden Boy” had no business fighting at 160 pounds. He should drop down to junior middle or even welterweight again if he has any hope of regaining his past form. But 2005 could be the final year for one of boxing's all-time great attractions.

On the brink: Antonio Tarver, Diego Corrales, James Toney

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Articles of 2004

Heavyweight Joe Mesi Bringing Lawsuit

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As reported by the Buffalo News, Joe Mesi is suing the New York State Athletic Commission and the MRI center that conducted tests on the heavyweight boxer after his bout with Vassiliy Jirov. Mesi reportedly suffered brain injuries in the Jirov bout, which has left his boxing status uncertain.

The lawsuit alleges Mesi's medical records were improperly released to the NYSAC. The records, the lawsuit goes on to allege, were then released to the media, prejudicing Mesi's right to have his status reviewed by the appropriate boxing authorities.

The lawsuit does not seek specific monetary damages, as the extent of damages will be affected by whether Mesi is able to resume his career as a leading heavyweight contender.

Mesi hopes to have his status reviewed by the Nevada State Athletic Commission within the coming month. The ruling of the NSAC promises to be key in whether Mesi will be able to resume his boxing career.

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Articles of 2004

The Best in Chicago Boxing Returns

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Dominic Pesoli's 8 Count Productions and Bob Arum's Top Rank Incorporated along with Miller Lite presents SOLO BOXEO DE MILLER, THE ARAGON RUMBLE, another installment of The Best in Chicago Boxing on Friday, January 14th, broadcast live internationally as part of Telefutura's Friday night professional boxing series.

The newly remodeled Aragon Ballroom is located at 1106 W. Lawrence Ave. near the corner of Lawrence and Broadway in Chicago's Uptown neighborhood and is easily accessible, just 4 blocks west of Lake Shore Drive and just 4 miles east of the Kennedy expressway. There are three large parking lots located within a 1/2 block of the Aragon Ballroom. Additionally, the Howard Street Blue Line stops just across the street. Doors will open at 6pm with the first bell at 7pm.

Headlining the action packed card is the American debut of super-bantamweight Ricardo “PIOLO” Castillo, 12-2 (6KO's) of Mexicali, Mexico as he squares off in a scheduled ten rounder against WBO Latino Champion, Edel Ruiz, 24-12-3 (13KO's) of Los Mochis, SI, Mexico. Castillo will be accompanied to the ring by his brother, World Lightweight Champion Jose Luis Castillo.

In the co-main event of the evening, one of Chicago's most popular fighters, middleweight “MACHO” Miguel Hernandez, 14-1 (9KO's), battles hard swinging local veteran “MARVELOUS” Shay Mobley, 7-4-1 (2KO's), of One In a Million Inc.in a scheduled eight rounder.

The huge undercard bouts include;

Carlos Molina vs TBA, six rounds, junior middleweights
Frankie Tafoya vs TBA, four rounds, featherweights
Ottu Holified vs. Allen Medina, four rounds, middleweights
Francisco Rodriguez vs. LaShaun Blair, four rounds, bantamweights
Rita Figueroa vs. Sarina Hayden, four rounds, junior welterweights

Said Dominic Pesoli, President of 8 Count Productions, “it was a terrific evening last month and our fans were thrilled to be at the Aragon to watch David, Speedy and Luciano. David Diaz's fight against Jaime Rangel was a fight people will talk about for a long time. Our commitment to our fans is to make every event of ours better than the last one. This main event is terrific, both guys are very tough Mexicans who won't take a step back.

The fans love Miguel and Mobley figures to be a very tough opponent. Him and David Estrada had a six round war last June at our show. And the undercard showcases a lot of new, younger talent that is coming out of Chicago right now. Tafoya and Holifield have both had very successful beginnings to their careers and Francisco Rodriguez comes with fantastic amateur credentials and David Diaz says he has all the talent to be a great pro.”

“We've got big plans for 2005 and this show should take up right where last months show left off. The huge crowd loved the action last time and I'm sure they'll say the same thing this time.”

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