Northern California has a storied history of great boxers and it has remained strong today. Two of the best boxers in the world call the East Bay home in the form of Oakland's Andre Ward and San Leandro's Nonito Donaire. The two world champions lead four current world titleholders from around Northern California, with both fighters closing in on possible undisputed champion status.
The folks at CSN Bay Area have decided to jump in and try and put together a pound-for-pound list for the Bay Area. Boxing contributor Ryan Maquiñana compiled a ranking featuring ten media members and three "die-hard" fans in order to break down the best of the best from the Bay Area. We provide a quick rundown of the list after the jump. You can view a more thorough pound-for-pound breakdown at CSN Bay Area.
1. Nonito Donaire, San Leandro, bantamweight
2. Andre Ward, Oakland, super ,iddleweight
3. Robert Guerrero, Gilroy, junior welterweight
4. Eloy Perez, Salinas, junior lightweight
5. Karim Mayfield, San Francisco, junior welterweight
6. Ana Julaton, Daly City, junior featherweight
7. Vicente Escobedo, Woodland, lightweight
8. Brandon Gonzales, Sacramento, middleweight
9. Carina Moreno, Watsonville, strawweight
10. Otis Griffin, Sacramento, light heavyweight
Donaire is tentatively scheduled to fight October 22 against Omar Narvaez, while Andre Ward will be fighting Carl Froch a week later on October 29. Narvaez would be making a bit of a step up from his dominance at super flyweight. Donaire is reportedly considering a move up to super bantamweight, so this might be his swan song in the division.
Ward's fight against Froch is for Ward's WBA title, Froch's WBC title, and the vacant Ring Magazine title at super middleweight. Although Lucian Bute will have something to say about it, the winner of Ward-Froch will be considered the undisputed top dog in the division.