It is one of the most exciting days of my young life as Barack Obama is now officially the president of the United States of America. President Obama (it's nice to finally write that) has high expectations after promising change we can believe in throughout his campaign.
While he must focus on actual problems like war and the dying economy, he has given some lighthearted interviews talking about changes he would like to see in sports. On the top of his list is a playoff for college football, which I would like to see, and making the basketball court bigger for NBA games.
I'm sure Obama isn't losing any sleep over college football or basketball, but if sports fans can ask for change from their new president then I would like to make an official request on behalf of all boxing fans. Please Mr. President, unify the sanctioning bodies and let us have undisputed world champions in each weight class.
Every boxing fan I have ever talked to has one major problem with the sport and it is the multiple world champions. Between the WBA, WBC, IBF and WBO there are enough belts to clothe the NYPD. I believe great boxers should be awarded with championships, but the meaning of the title is diluted when more than one man can claim to be the world champion.
Ring Magazine decided it would be the judge of the "true" world champion and started crowning fighters in each division "The Ring Champion." While they do a decent job of choosing the true champion in each division, their selections must be scrutinized since the magazine is owned by Golden Boy Promotions, meaning they could favor fighters in their stable.
Much of the national media recognizes the Ring Champion as the true champion of their respective division.
But as long as the WBC, WBA, IBF and WBO exist, there will always be an "alphabet soup" of champions. So until President Obama brings the change boxing fans can believe in I will do my best to find the real world champion in each division.
I will give my selection for World Champion in each division from Lightweight (135 lbs) to Heavyweight. While there are weight classes below 135 lbs, I believe the best boxers are able to work their way up the weight divisions to at least 135 pounds (ie. Manny Pacquiao, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez).
However, there are tremendous boxers below the 135 pound division and I will classify those boxers as the best of the rest. So here goes my attempt at giving you the true World Champions until our new president can demolish all those evil sanctioning bodies.
Best of the Rest
1. Ivan Calderon 2. Vic Darchinyan 3. Israel Vazquez 4. Chris John 5. Edwin Valero
All five of those men are tremendous boxers in their own right and very decorated. Darchinyan is the only unified champion in boxing right now. Chris John is a pure winner with a record of 42-0-1, but Edwin Valero is the man to look out for as he makes the move to lightweight.
Lightweight (135 lbs): Manny Pacquiao
Pacman is possibly the best boxer in the world right now, and for the time being he is in the lightweight division. Juan Manuel Marquez is probably the best fighter in this division for the long haul with Pacman expected to move up to super lightweight.
Super Lightweight (140 lbs): Ricky Hatton
Hatton's only loss is to Floyd Mayweather, so he is one of the best around at 45-1. However, with a possible matchup against Pacquiao in the future and the emergence of Timothy Bradley, Hatton could be thrown off his throne.
Welterweight (147 lbs): Antonio Margarito
The Tijuana Tornado blew through highly regarded Miguel Cotto to claim the welterweight crown last year. I expect Margarito to stay atop the welterweight division for a while as he should beat Shane Mosley in their match this Saturday.
Super Welterweight (154 lbs): Paul Williams
Williams seems to be ready to move to middleweight permanently, but when he fights at 154 pounds he is a beast. His large frame is a huge advantage and his only competition in this class is Vernon Forrest and maybe Sergei Dzindziruk.
Middleweight (160 lbs): Arthur Abraham
The sexy pick in this division is Kelly Pavlik, but after a loss to Bernard Hopkins in a non-title match, I have to go with Abraham. The Armenian champion has eight successful defenses, including one where he fought with a broken jaw. He is very underrated.
Super Middleweight (168 lbs): Mikkel Kessler
This is an unimpressive division at the moment, but Kessler is still the king though he hasn't fought anyone noteworthy since losing to Joe Calzaghe. Hopefully Allan Green starts finding top fights and takes the championship. Or Carl Froch could emerge.
Light Heavyweight (175 lbs): Joe Calzaghe
Calzaghe currently calls this division home, which makes him the champ since he is 46-0 and has looked good doing it. I don't think he has many fights left though, so after he leaves this division belongs to Chad Dawson and Zsolt Erdei.
Cruiserweight (200 lbs): Tomasz Adamek
This division belongs to David Haye if he wants to come back down from heavyweight, but until then it is Adamek's. Adamek is very good, but this is a tough division. Johnathon Banks might be the next great champion.
Heavyweight (unlimited): Wladimir Klitschko
This is an easy call as there are no other heavyweights close to the same league as Klitschko. He is completely dominant and an eventual challenge from David Haye might be the only thing to stop him. Chris Arreola is promising, but still too young.
So President Obama, crown these men the true world champions and then let the pieces fall as they may. It's time boxing fans get true world champions to cheer for (or boo).
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