JUNIOR WELTERWEIGHTS (140 POUNDS) pound-for-pound rankings

Note: Results through Sept. 14. In an effort to provide the most up-to-date rankings, ESPN.com's division-by-division boxing rankings will be updated every Monday.

1. Manny Pacquiao (49-3-2)


Pacquiao has already claimed titles in six weight divisions (including a record four lineal championships). If he beats Miguel Cotto for a welterweight belt in the year's biggest fight, Pacquiao would claim a title in a record seventh division. There may be a lot of belts around these days, but nobody has ever done that, so it means something.
Next: Nov. 14 vs. Cotto.

2. Timothy Bradley Jr. (24-0)

After working out the split of promoter Gary Shaw's winning $575,000 purse bid in Bradley's favor, he has agreed to make his mandatory defense against interim titlist Lamont Peterson in a fight that will headline a Showtime card. The original date of Dec. 5, however, has been bumped by one week for a variety or reasons.
Next: Dec. 12 vs. Peterson.

3. Ricky Hatton (45-2)



Although Hatton was destroyed by Pacquiao in May, leading to some to call for his retirement, Hatton has been quoted in British media saying he will likely fight again. That doesn't come as any surprise. The big questions are, when will he fight, and against whom?
Next: TBA.

4. Kendall Holt (25-3)

Coming off a decision loss to Bradley in April, former titlist Holt could return to face interim beltholder Marcos Maidana on the undercard of HBO's Lucian Bute-Librado Andrade II on Nov. 28 in Quebec City. If the fight happens, can't you see both guys getting knocked down in a competitive fight?
Next: TBA.

5. Amir Khan (21-1)

In a brilliant boxing display, the 2004 British Olympic silver medalist and 2007 ESPN.com prospect of the year moved up in weight and thoroughly dominated Andreas Kotelnik to claim a world title via unanimous decision July 18. His first title defense likely will come Dec. 5 against mandatory challenger Dmitriy Salita (30-0-1).
Next: TBA.

6. Devon Alexander (19-0)

Facing the best opponent of his career, 22-year-old Alexander turned in a mature and poised performance, dominating the incredibly awkward Junior Witter en route to making him quit after the eighth round to claim a vacant title Aug. 1.
Next: TBA.

7. Juan Urango (22-2-1)

Urango survived a brutal knockdown to rally for three knockdowns of his own en route to a title-retaining 11th-round TKO of mandatory challenger Randall Bailey in a terrific fight on Aug. 28.
Next: TBA.

8. Marco Maidana (26-1)

In a terrific June 27 slugfest, Maidana survived three knockdowns and scored two to rally for a TKO of red-hot prospect Victor Ortiz to win an interim belt. It was a great fight, so it's understandable why HBO would want Maidana back on, which might happen on Nov. 28. Holt, Alexander, Nate Campbell and Anthony Peterson have all been mentioned as possible opponents.
Next: TBA.

9. Paulie Malignaggi (26-3)

All through the promotion, Malignaggi talked about how worried he was that he would be screwed by the judges in Texas when he faced Houston's Juan Diaz on Aug. 22. Sure enough, Malignaggi was robbed in a hometown decision. Shame, shame, shame, especially on judge Gale Van Hoy, who needs to be sent out to pasture after his woeful 118-110 scorecard favoring Diaz. HBO is interested in a rematch for early 2010.
Next: TBA.

10. Andreas Kotelnik (31-3-1)

Ukraine's Kotelnik was outclassed in losing his belt to Khan in a one-sided decision on July 18. He simply could not deal with Khan's speed and movement.
Next: TBA.