Top 10 Boxers Between 2000 and 2010 - Part 1

Top 10 boxers between 2000 and 2010 - part 1

The names that first made an impression in this century

With the beginning of the new century, expectations for new things in all fields are normal. Especially in boxing, events cannot change abruptly. However, there are ten competitors who make the years between 2000 and 2010 memorable with spectacular battles, exciting moments and long streaks without loss for quite a few competitors. We already mentioned the top five in the first part of this article, but who are the other five that round out the top 10? You can find out in the following lines.

#6 – Shane Mosley

Shane Moseley is the number one boxer of 2001 and for that reason alone he deserves to be on the list, but there are other reasons why he is so far ahead. However, five defeats - two to Winky Wright, two to Vernon Forrest and one to Miguel Cotto - are the reason he is not fifth or further ahead. Mosley's biggest wins came against Oscar De La Oya, against whom he even won twice. However, the first of these successes was nullified because Mosley was allegedly using steroids. This leads to a number of controversies, but definitely with his second match against De La Oya, he proves his class. What puts Mosley so far ahead in the rankings is his persistence, his consistency, with which he sometimes surpasses himself and achieves more than unique things. The combination of speed, power and skill make him the second most complex fighter in the first decade of the last century after Manny Pacquiao.

#7 – Winky Wright

One position further back we find Winky Wright. Even before the turn of the century, however, he was an established veteran and former world champion. In 2002, however, he again won the world title of the International Boxing Federation in the light middle category. Wright is known for his incredible defense and for being one of the toughest opponents. His two victories over Shane Moseley in 2004 and the success over Felix Trinidad a year later are the three most memorable that Wright achieved in the period 2000-2010. After moving up to the heavyweight division, he defeated Quartey convincingly, and before that he finished tied with Jermaine Taylor. His loss to Bernard Hopkins in 2007, however, was the last fight in which Wright looked like a boxer who still had a place in the pro ring.

#8 – Chris John

Chris John's victory in the World Boxing Association featherweight title match in 2004 was the most significant success of the Indonesian's career. Two years later, he made a successful defense, and not against just anyone, but against Juan Manuel Marquez. With just these two fights and the fact that he never lost his distinction until the end of the first decade of this century, John has a place in our ranking as he is among the best boxers of his generation. The problem of not being in a more advanced position is related to the fact that he very rarely fights against not particularly elite boxers. The truth is that John rather avoids meetings with class opponents from more western countries.

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#9 – Miguel Cotto

Miguel Cotto is one of the most famous and successful boxing stars of the current century, and as early as September 2004, he captured a major distinction such as the light welterweight world title, defeating Kelson Pinto by technical knockout. Six successful defenses followed, including against Paulie Malignaggi in a memorable fight at Madison Square Garden. In December 2006, Cotto moved up to the welterweight division and defeated Carlos Quintana in a title match. His list of defeated opponents in this category also includes Zab Judah and Shane Mosley. Within the first decade of this century, Cotto lost only twice. First by Manny Pacquiao and then by Antonio Margarito, who was then caught trying to put special patches on his hands before his fight with Shane Mosley. Something he supposedly did before his fight with Miguel Cotto.

#10 – Joe Calzaghe

The last to have a place among the top ten in the first decade of the current century is Joe Calzaghe. The Pride of Wales, as he is nicknamed, stepped down as the undefeated Ring Magazine Light Heavyweight Champion after defeating Roy Jones Jr. in November 2008. In the previous decade, he also managed to win every possible super middleweight world title. His incredible supporters, who follow him everywhere in the world, make the matches even more remarkable, and also inspire Calzaghe for exciting fights. Two of the most famous names Calzaghe defeated were Bernard Hopkins and Roy Jones, although Roy was well past his prime and Hopkins was well into his 40s. Other notable wins include those against Jeff Lacy, Saccio Bica and Mikel Kelser, where Calzaghe showcased his full arsenal of qualities.

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