Top 10 Boxers Between 2000 and 2010 - Part 2

Top 10 boxers between 2000 and 2010 - part 2

The names that first made an impression in this century

The first decade of the new century in boxing gave birth to a new era in the sport. An era that is ready to put names in the professional ring that can even argue for the title of the greatest boxer of all time. The times after the year 2000 make us witnesses of unforgettable battles, of long series of successes and above all of real spectacles. In a two-parter, we'll look back at the top ten fighters who graced the ring in the first 10 years of the 21st century.

#1 – Manny Pacquiao

The strongest years of the Filipino boxer coincide exactly with these times. Pacquiao is in his prime and only lost one match between 2000 and 2010. The defeat came from Eric Morales in 2004. The decade began with a triumph in the super bantamweight division, which highlighted his considerable growth. Over time, PacMack, as Manny was nicknamed, proved to be one of the two best boxers in the world. In December 2008 came his incredible knockout victory against Oscar De la Oya in the eighth round. A year later, he also knocked out Ricky Hatton after less than 6 minutes in the ring, then dealt with Miguel Cotto. Extremely significant fights in recent years, as well as serious growth, put Pacquiao firmly in the first position in this ranking.

#2 – Floyd Mayweather

The only reason Floyd Mayweather isn't number one is because his match with Pacquiao didn't come until 2015. Then it was seen who was the better of the two, but the American did not have such significant and spectacular victories in the first decade of this century. However, in 2001 came one of the significant successes. In the super featherweight category, Mayweather is doing without much competition with Diego Corrales. Since then, however, "Money", as he is nicknamed, mainly due to the fact that he is one of the highest paid athletes in the world, has to wait until 2009 for another spectacular show, facing Juan Manuel Marquez. Of course, another victory followed for Floyd, who finished his career undefeated in the professional ring.

#3 – Bernard Hopkins

Bernard Hopkins enters the 21st century as the middleweight world champion and has just turned 35. These are all prerequisites for the rather approaching end of his career. In September 2001, however, he hinted that more exciting moments awaited us after defeating Felix Trinidad. After another three years, Hopkins also knocked down Oscar De La Oya in the ninth round, thus becoming one of the first absolute champions. Hopkins holds all four middleweight titles simultaneously. Something that happens less and less often in modern boxing history. In 2005, however, two consecutive losses to Jermaine Taylor followed, but we must consider that Bernard is already 40 and still has his chances to win at least one of these meetings. It's just that age and delayed reflexes get in the way. Instead of quitting professional boxing, however, he moved up to the light heavyweight division, where he defeated Antonio Tarver to become the second division champion. At 43, Hopkins also faced Joe Calzaghe, but the match ended without a winner, although the American seemed more deserving of his hand being raised. Six months later and at featherweight as super next, he met Kelly Pavlik. And instead of fulfilling Pavlik's knockout expectations, Hopkiss cruises through him with ease.

#4 – Juan Manuel Marquez

After in the 1990s everyone tried to avoid a meeting with Juan Manuel Marquez, in 2003 he managed to win the vacant International Boxing Federation featherweight title after a TKO against Manuel Medina. Later that year, he also put on the belt of the International Boxing Association. In 2004, Perez inflicted Pacquiao's only loss this decade, defending his titles after being knocked down three times by the Filipino. For the entire decade, Marquez lost only three times in 24 meetings, and that to undefeated boxers such as Chris John and Floyd Mayweather.

#5 – Marco Antonio Barrera

Mexican fighter Marco Antonio Barrera has been involved in some of the most memorable boxing moments of the first decade of the 21st century. In addition, he lost only four matches and that against extremely high-class opponents. Manny Pacquiao defeated Barrera twice. First with a technical knockout in the 11th round in 2004, and then in 2007, when Barrera lost to his compatriot Juan Manuel Marquez. In 2009, when he was already past his prime and gained about 8 kilograms, Barrera defeated Naseem Hamed, who has not known defeat in professional boxing. Successes also followed over Johnny Tapia, Kevin Kelly and twice against Rocky Juarez. Also memorable is the trilogy of fights with Eric Morales, who took the first match with Barrera, but then lost twice in a row.

In the next part, we will introduce you to the other five who ranked among the best boxers of the first 10 years of this century.

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