SI's Pound for Pound Boxing Ratings

The inimitable Mayweather claimed win No. 45 -- along with a check for $41.5 million -- with another lopsided win, this time over Saul Alvarez on Sept. 14. Facing a younger, bigger opponent, Mayweather was masterful, showcasing his trademark elusiveness and connecting on more jabs (138) than in his previous two fights. Mayweather says he will return to the ring in May, and it's looking more and more likely that his next opponent will be Amir Khan. All records through Nov. 25

After watching Ward's lopsided decision win over Edwin Rodriguez this month, it was fair to wonder which fighter was coming off of a 14-month layoff. Ward looked superb against Rodriguez, dissecting the undefeated challenger and reestablishing himself at the top of the super middleweight division. Ward would love a matchup with Top Rank cash cow Julio Cesar Chavez Jr. sometime next year. If that doesn't happen, Ward's future may be at light heavyweight, where high-profile fights with Adonis Stevenson, Sergey Kovalev and perhaps Bernard Hopkins wait. All records through Nov. 25

The relentless, pressuring Pacquiao that terrorized boxing from 2007 to 2010 is gone, and he isn't coming back. But the '13 version that wiped out Brandon Rios this month is pretty good, too. Pacquiao looked sharp in his first fight since getting knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez. A rematch against Tim Bradley or a fifth fight with Marquez could come in April. All records through Nov. 25

Martinez looked ordinary in a decision win over Martin Murray, and members of his team have acknowledged that Martinez's time in the sport is limited. Still, one bad win doesn't diminish what Martinez has accomplished. A knee injury, though, will keep the Argentine middleweight star out of the ring until early next year, when he could be in line for a lucrative showdown with Miguel Cotto. All records through Nov. 25

For years, Alexander Povetkin was considered Wladimir Klitschko's most skilled potential opponent. After Klitschko's whitewashing of Povetkin -- a fight in which Povetkin was knocked down four times -- it's fair to wonder if there is any contender who can give Klitschko much of a fight. Behind a potent jab, Klitschko dominated, once against establishing himself as the best heavyweight in boxing. A mandatory title defense against Denis Boytsov or Kubrat Pulev could be next. All records through Nov. 25

If Manny Pacquiao is an ideal opponent for Marquez, Bradley is one of the worst. The counterpunching Marquez struggles against fighters with a similar style (see Mayweather, Floyd) and against Bradley in September, Marquez had to be the aggressor more often than he likely would have liked. Marquez hardly embarrassed himself though, and at 40 there are still plenty of possibilities for him, including another fight with Pacquiao. All records through Nov. 25

Is Rigondeaux, at times, hard to watch? Yes. Is he effective? Yes there, too. In April, Rigondeaux was brilliant in outpointing Donaire, moving in and out, potshotting Donaire with blurring speed. After some tense negotiations with HBO -- which showed little interest in bringing Rigondeaux back -- the super bantamweight champion will face Joseph Agbeko in December. All records through Nov. 25

Say what you want about Bradley-Pacquiao, but Bradley now officially owns wins over Pacquiao, Marquez and Devon Alexander and was in a Fight of the Year candidate against Ruslan Provodnikov. Bradley made a guaranteed $4.1 million to fight Marquez and is in line for another big payday against Pacquiao, Brandon Rios or Mike Alvarado sometime next year. All records through Nov. 25

In stopping Vic Darchinyan this month, Donaire created more questions about his future than answers. Against an aging Darchinyan?who had lost two of his previous four fights?Donaire struggled, possibly saving himself from a decision defeat with a ninth-round knockout. Donaire says he wants a rematch with Guillermo Rigondeaux, but he may need another fight first. All records through Nov. 25

Golovkin padded a possible Fighter of the Year résumé with another one-sided beating, this time of the heavy-handed Curtis Stevens. Triple-G is the gold standard at 160-pounds, though politics and purse hunting will likely keep Peter Quillin, Sergio Martinez or Darren Barker from getting in the ring with him. Golovkin will return to the ring in February, in Monte Carlo. All records through Nov. 25

Mares's rise up the pound-for-pound ladder came to a crashing halt in August, when hard-hitting Jhonny Gonzalez flattened him in the first round. Mares's success against elite opponents -- from the Showtime bantamweight tournament to quality wins over Anselmo Moreno and Daniel Ponce De Leon -- keeps him from slipping too far, and he will get a chance to avenge his loss quickly: Mares exercised his rematch clause and will likely fight Gonzalez again in the next few months. All records through Nov. 25

Too young? Ask Erik Morales. Too one-dimensional? Check with Amir Khan. Can't box? Ask Zab Judah. No chin? Go see Lucas Matthysse. Garcia has made a habit of quieting his critics, most recently with a win over Matthysse on Sept. 14. The unified junior welterweight champion, Garcia says he is headed to 147 pounds, where a fight with Mayweather could eventually be in the offing. All records through Nov. 5

The flyweight star continues his romp through the sport, wiping out Oscar Blanquet in two rounds this month. There has not been a huge market for fighters in Gonzalez's weight class(es), but at 26, Gonzalez could make new fans, and quickly. Up next could be a rematch with unified titleholder Juan Francisco Estrada, whom Gonzalez outpointed last year. All records through Nov. 25

The outlandish Broner irritates many with his out-of-the-ring antics, but there's no denying his talent. Last June, Broner climbed two weight classes to claim a welterweight belt with a decisive points win over Paulie Malignaggi. There are shades of Mayweather in Broner -- most notably his shoulder roll defense -- and an aggressive style that has made him television-friendly. Next up: A showdown with Argentine slugger Marcos Maidana in December. All records through Nov. 25

There are not many weaknesses to Garcia. Technically sound with potent one-punch power, Garcia can win in a variety of ways. He pushed his streak of stoppages to 11 this month with an eight-round beating of Roman Martinez that netted Garcia a super featherweight belt. Top Rank is angling to match Garcia with lightweight Yuriorkis Gamboa early next year. All records through Nov. 25