by Paul Upham

Six months of the year have just about passed and after a number of major fights for Australia’s best boxers, it’s time to rank them once again pound for pound. The following list takes into account both ability and achievement. While winning is influential, standard of opposition, location of the bout and the quality of performance are important measurement tools.

1. Kostya Tszyu – super lightweight

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Career record - 30 wins, 1 loss, 24 KO’s, 1 no contest Winning % - 96.77 Knockout % - 77.42 1st round knockouts - 6 Rounds fought - 187 Ave. rounds per fight – 6.03

While he has been out with back to back Achilles tendon and shoulder tendon injuries since January 2003, it would be unwise to write off the undisputed super lightweight champion of the world just yet. The extended break from combat has seemingly reignited his enthusiasm to prove himself once again as the best in the division. 34 year-old Tszyu returns to the ring for a rematch with Sharmba Mitchell on November 6, venue TBA.

2. Danny Green – super middleweight

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Career record – 18 wins, 1 loss, 17 KO’s Winning % - 94.74 Knockout % - 89.47 1st round knockouts - 1 Rounds fought - 74 Ave. rounds per fight – 3.89

With the WBC’s position unclear due to their bankruptcy proceedings, the doors have been opened for Danny Green to travel to the USA and he is a wanted man by New York promoter Lou DiBella and American television network HBO. Green and trainer Jeff Fenech only need to give the ‘green’ light for plans to proceed. The hard hitting 31 year-old may have a warm up fight in Australia first before facing Scott Pemberton in the USA at the end of the year.

3. Robbie Peden – super featherweight

Career record – 23 wins, 2 losses, 13 KO’s Winning % - 92.00 Knockout % - 52.00 1st round knockouts - 0 Rounds fought - 168 Ave. rounds per fight – 6.72

With his spectacular one punch knockout of the favoured Nate Campbell, “Bomber” Peden cemented his mandatory shot at IBF super featherweight champion Carlos Hernandez later in 2004. The two-time Australian Olympian’s decision to base himself in the USA has finally paid dividends and the quality of sparring and training that he has received no doubt now sees him at the top of his game. 30 year-old Peden is expected to take a tune up on July 31 in Las Vegas and then focus on his first world title shot.

4. Paul Briggs – light heavyweight

Career record – 22 wins, 1 loss, 17 KO’s Winning % - 95.65 Knockout % - 73.91 1st round knockouts - 3 Rounds fought - 117 Ave. rounds per fight – 5.09

After basing himself in California to train under Jack Mosley, 28 year-old Briggs gets the chance to show his improvement when he faces the undefeated Stipe Drews 26-0 (12 KO’s) at the State Sports Centre in Homebush, Sydney on August 15 in an WBC eliminator. A win for Briggs will hopefully secure him a long awaited world title shot.

5. Lovemore Ndou – super lightweight

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Career record – 38 wins, 7 losses, 1 draw, 24 KO’s Winning % - 82.61 Knockout % - 52.17 1st round knockouts - 3 Rounds fought - 282 Ave. rounds per fight – 6.13

After close points losses to leading super lightweight contenders Sharmba Mitchell and Miguel Cotto, 32 year-old Ndou has proved that he belongs in the top ten. Now training with Team Fenech, Ndou is hoping that the American television networks and his promoter Dan Goossen can secure him another fight against one of the name opponents in the division so that he can continue to chase that elusive world title belt.

6. Anthony Mundine – super middleweight

Career record – 20 wins, 2 losses, 15 KO’s Winning % - 90.91 Knockout % - 68.18 1st round knockouts - 1 Rounds fought - 151 Ave. rounds per fight – 6.86

News that 29 year-old Mundine is preparing to travel to the USA for sparring and training is a good sign that the “Man” knows he must improve if he is to be a genuine force in the super middleweight division. A tune-up fight in August or September in Australia is most likely before a rematch with WBA champion Manny Siaca. The Puerto Rican’s decision to re-sign with promoter Don King may see Siaca-Mundine II land in the USA or Puerto Rico later this year.

7. Vic Darchinyan - flyweight

Career record – 21 wins, 0 losses, 16 KO’s Winning % - 100 Knockout % - 76.19 1st round knockouts - 1 Rounds fought - 92 Ave. rounds per fight – 4.38

The Australian based Armenian has secured his world title shot and will face undefeated IBF flyweight champion Irene Pacheco 30-0 (23 KO’s) on August 7 in Florida, USA. The hard-hitting 28 year-old southpaw, who will become an Australian citizen in July, will be able to lay claim to being the best in the division if he can defeat the 33 year-old Columbian.

8. Hussein Hussein - flyweight

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Career record – 25 wins, 1 loss, 19 KO’s Winning % - 96.15 Knockout % - 73.08 1st round knockouts - 7 Rounds fought - 112 Ave. rounds per fight – 4.31

As good as his losing performance to WBC flyweight champion Pongsaklek Wonjongkam was last November in Bangkok, the title-holders in the division will now be keen to avoid the gritty 28 year-old from Bankstown. With Wonjongkam unlikely to give a rematch and Team Fenech stablemate Vic Darchinyan contesting the IBF title, Hussein will resume his quest along the WBO title path and returns to the ring on July 9 at Homebush.

9. Sam Soliman - middleweight

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Career record – 26 wins, 7 losses, 9 KO’s Winning % - 78.79 Knockout % - 27.27 1st round knockouts - 1 Rounds fought - 284 Ave. rounds per fight – 8.61

“King” Sam Soliman gets his chance to secure a world title shot when he rematches Raymond Joval 32-2 (14 KO’s) on July 18 in California, USA. Soliman dropped a controversial points decision to the 35 year-old Netherlands fighter in January 2001 and is looking to settle the matter this time around. An impressive win for new promoter Dan Goossen could see 30 year-old Soliman secure his mandatory shot at the IBF middleweight title and open a door to future fights in the USA.

10. Nedal Hussein – super bantamweight

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Career record – 33 wins, 1 loss, 19 KO’s Winning % - 97.06 Knockout % - 55.88 1st round knockouts - 11 Rounds fought - 187 Ave. rounds per fight – 5.50

“Skinny” Hussein is potentially one of the best on this list and only needs an opportunity against the best to show what he is capable of. On his day he is a devastating puncher and proved in his controversial loss to Manny Pacquiao in the Philippines in October 2000 that he has what it takes. As the WBC No.1 to super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios, 26 year-old Hussein is waiting to see if his title shot will eventuate amongst the sanctioning bodies current confusion over its future.

11. Gairy St.Clair - lightweight

Career record – 31 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws, 13 KO’s Winning % - 86.11 Knockout % - 36.11 1st round knockouts - 2 Rounds fought - 243 Ave. rounds per fight – 6.75

One of the hardest to hit in Australian boxing, 29 year-old St.Clair is considering a move to Perth to train under Craig Christian at ‘Harry’s Gym’. There has been some new interest from American promoters in the last few weeks and the Guyana native is hoping to ignite his career with a big win in the USA before the end of the year.

12. Nathan Sting - bantamweight

Career record – 27 wins, 6 losses, 1 draw, 13 KO’s Winning % - 79.41 Knockout % - 38.24 1st round knockouts - 1 Rounds fought - 237 Ave. rounds per fight – 6.97

A decision to base himself in the UK after his WBU title win has not produced the big fights that he had for and 30 year-old Sting is contemplating his next move. The talented southpaw upset Johnny Armour and Nicky Booth in back to back fights in 2003 and proved he is a genuine contender at bantamweight.

13. Shannan Taylor – junior middleweight

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Career record – 39 wins, 3 losses, 2 draws, 25 KO’s Winning % - 88.64 Knockout % - 56.82 1st round knockouts - 7 Rounds fought - 255 Ave. rounds per fight – 5.79

The “Blaster” has been fighting regularly of late (6 fights in 2003 and 2 in 2004 to date) trying to work his way towards a shot at the IBF junior middleweight title now held by Verno Phillips. The 32 year-old doesn’t have the same zip in his punches he once had in his youth, but seems more determined now than ever before and with trainer Frank Gatt seems to have found the right training mix for him after overcoming a number of out of the ring personal problems.

14. Michael Katsidis - lightweight

Career record – 11 wins, 0 losses, 9 KO’s Winning % - 100 Knockout % - 81.82 1st round knockouts - 3 Rounds fought - 57 Ave. rounds per fight – 5.18

23 year-old “Rocky” Katsidis returns to the ring at the Panthers World of Entertainment on July 16 and pulls a crowd wherever he goes with his attacking, action packed style. Never seems to be in a dull fight. A further step up in class will see if he has the skills to go with his brutal punch and solid chin.

15. Nader Hamdan – super middleweight

Career record – 36 wins, 1 loss, 17 KO’s Winning % - 97.30 Knockout % - 45.95 1st round knockouts - 5 Rounds fought - 259 Ave. rounds per fight – 7.00

With new trainer Michael Akkaway honing his style and technique, 30 year-old Hamdan seems refreshed and ready to take the fights necessary to secure a shot at the super middleweight title. What he lacks in natural ability, “Lionheart” Hamdan more than makes up for in sheer will and determination to succeed. Faces Brett Culey 9-2-1 (6) for the IBF Pan Pacific super middleweight title on July 16 at Panthers World of Entertainment.

16. Sakio Bika - middleweight

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Career record – 16 wins, 1 loss, 10 KO’s Winning % - 94.12 Knockout % - 62.50 1st round knockouts - 0 Rounds fought - 75 Ave. rounds per fight – 4.41

The Australian middleweight champion from Cameroon continues to improve at Team Fenech. His powerhouse steam-rolling style always results in exciting fights and with co-trainer Billy Hussein working to tighten up his punches, 25 year-old Bika might surprise many as to how far up the mountain he can climb.

17. Ben Cruz – super featherweight

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Career record – 8 wins, 0 losses, 7 KO’s Winning % - 100 Knockout % - 87.50 1st round knockouts - 1 Rounds fought - 32 Ave. rounds per fight – 4.00

The most impressive boxer on the Siaca-Mundine card made the people in television who really count take notice. The future looks bright for 24 year-old “Bangin'” Benny who continues to improve every time he steps into the ring.

18.Naoufel Ben Rabah – super lightweight

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Career record – 18 wins, 1 loss, 8 KO’s Winning % - 94.74 Knockout % - 42.11 1st round knockouts - 2 Rounds fought - 111 Ave. rounds per fight – 5.84

Potentially one of the most skilful boxers on this list, Rabah’s move to train under Craig Christian in Perth has seen him in the best condition of his career. Still enigmatic from round to round, at his best the 26 year-old from Tunisia oozes class.

19. Tommy Browne - featherweight

Career record – 15 wins, 2 losses, 1 draw, 7 KO’s Winning % - 83.33 Knockout % - 38.89 1st round knockouts - 4 Rounds fought - 98 Ave. rounds per fight - 5.44

While he drew his last fight unexpectedly, Browne is tenacious enough to overcome such adversity. Expect the 21 year-old to rebound with an impressive win sooner rather than later.

20. Daniel Dawson – junior middleweight

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Career record – 14 wins, 0 losses, 10 KO’s Winning % - 100 Knockout % - 71.43 1st round knockouts - 1 Rounds fought - 79 Ave. rounds per fight - 5.64

The 26 year-old from Perth continues to improve and benefits from the ‘in your face’ training style of Craig Christian. Is now ready to take the next step up in class to see how good he really is.