By Matt Yanofsky

Time for another list! I have decided to compile the best champions of the last ten years. Their accomplishments by the fighters are only being looked at between 1996 and 2006. For example, you will not see fighters like Mike Tyson or Larry Holmes because even though they were active between those times and great former champions, their reigns was before 1996. I also will not use anyone who retired before 2003 and only count the 4 major sanctioning bodies as titles. Therefore if a fighter wins a belt such as the IBA or WBO Intercontinental Title in a fight it will not count. I have a top 15 and have listed why I belive they belong on the list.

1. Bernard Hopkins {20 Consecutive title defenses at Middleweight}. In my opinion, a very easy choice for the number one spot. Hopkins was able to stay in one weight class by never gaining more than 15 lbs between fights. During his reign, Hopkins knocked out greats Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad. He also stopped John David Jackson, Antwun Echols, and Glen Johnson. None of these were however Hopkins worst beatings. Hopkins beat champion William Joppy so bad in his 12 round decision victory that Joppy was barely recognizable after the fight.

2. Roy Jones Jr {17 defenses in 3 weight classes}. Roy Jones was truly unbelievable. The man I called Michael Jordan in a boxing ring backed it up. In the last ten years, Jones was a champion at three weight classes. Jones defeated champions Mike Mccallum, Virgil Hill, Montell Griffin and Antonio Tarver. Jones was unfortunately the victim of two knockouts recently which makes most fans forget the great accomplishments he had. Jones became the only Middleweight in the last 100 years to win a Heavyweight Title after defeating John Ruiz in 2003.

3. Oscar De La Hoya {15 defenses in 4 weight classes}. Oscar was a true champion. Unlike many other champions, Oscar moved up multiple times and always faught the best. De La Hoya was able to defeat top fighters in Pernell Whitaker, Miguel Gonzalez, Julio Cesar Chavez, and Hector Camacho. Oscar also has won titles in more divisions then any boxer ever.

4. Felix Trinidad {12 defenses in 3 weight classes}. Tito was one of our best champions. This power punching monster was able to defeat stars Oscar De La Hoya, Pernell Whitaker, Fernando Vargas, and Hector Camacho. In his first fight at Middleweight, Trinidad floored long time WBA Champion William Joppy three times before stopping him in the 5th to capture the title.

5. Joe Calzaghe {19 consecutive defenses at Super Middleweight}. A fighter I belive many have overlooked due to the fact he has faught only in Europe. Calzaghe won the title beating the great Chris Eubank in 1997. Calzaghe went on to defeat Robin Reid twice, Omar Sheika, Mario Viet and Jeff Lacy. Against Lacy, a lot of the big time fight fans picked Calzaghe to lose. Joe had the best performance of his career and was able to win virtually every round and drop Lacy in the final round in showing that he is one of the best champions.

6. Marco Antonio Barrera {16 defenses in 3 weight classes}. The Baby Faced Assassin has earned his stripes. Barrera started on HBO