Boxer of the decade:
Manny Pacquiao (Philippines)
This accolade might have had Floyd Mayweather Jr's name written all over it after he stepped out of the ring at the end of 2007 with a 40-0 record and five titles in five different weight classes.
Instead it has to go to 'Pacman', the Filipino southpaw so popular that he plans to run for political office in his country next year. His victory over Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto in Las Vegas in November 2009 gave him a seventh title from an unprecedented seven weights. "I've promoted Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler, and Manny Pacquiao is the best fighter I have ever seen," said promoter Bob Arum.
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Defining moment
Shannon Briggs (U.S.) v Sultan Ibragimov (Russia), June 2007
Shannon 'the Cannon' fired mostly blanks in losing the WBO belt in a fight memorable chiefly as the last time an American heavyweight stepped into the ring as champion. Since then, the United States has embarked on its longest run without a title in a division ruled by men from the former Soviet Union.
David Haye's defeat of Russian giant Nikolai Valuev to take the WBA title last month has provided a further twist. The Briton has the lip, the looks and the charisma that the heavyweight scene has been crying out for.
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Fight of the decade
Diego Corrales (Mexico) v Jose Luis Castillo (Mexico) (I)
Choosing one fight is a tough call but the first title unification clash in what should have been a trilogy between two of Mexico's toughest lightweights is up there with the best of them.
Both men stood and slugged non-stop for round after round in the May 7, 2005 fight until Castillo floored Corrales twice in the 10th. On each occasion Corrales spat out his mouthpiece, gaining time to recover. He then pulled himself up and unleashed a perfect right, pummelling Castillo against the ropes with combinations that forced the stoppage.
(Reporting by Alan Baldwin; Editing by Clare Fallon; To query or comment on this story emailsportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)
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