Joey Bag O'Donuts: Ranking the Undefeated

Understatement of the week: Boxers take great pride in their records.

As competition stiffens, it's often said the greatest weakness of an unbeaten prospect is his not knowing how to lose. The undefeated carry their lack of L's like their birthrights. This is sometimes an advantage and other times a detriment.

Just ask Acelino Freitas, who boasted a 35-0 record when he faced fellow power puncher Diego Corrales in 2004. The unorthodox Brazilian was seemingly having his way with the stalking Corrales, using every inch of the ring and countering effectively through the first five rounds.

Halfway through the scheduled 12-round bout, Freitas began slowing down. Corrales, 38-2 at the time, was getting to him more frequently and cutting off the ring to land flush combinations. The result was Freitas walking away from referee Michael Ortega after being floored a third time. Corrales was declared the winner by 10th-round TKO.

On the other hand there is the late Corrales, who -- despite legal, emotional and weight issues -- fought Floyd Mayweather Jr. on relatively short notice in a 2001 super featherweight title bout. Corrales was 33-0; Mayweather was 24-0 and too much for his troubled opponent.

Corrales was knocked down five times, peeling himself off the canvas before each 10-count was reached. In the 10th round, Corrales' corner decided it had seen enough and threw in the towel. Corrales vehemently protested the stoppage, even had to be restrained from attacking his own father (whose decision it was to call a halt to the action).

These contrasting examples prove varying responses boxers have to tallying first losses. Freitas was never the same as he was before and became comfortable with saying "no mas" when things weren't going his way, as he did in his most recent fight (vs. Juan Diaz in 2007). Corrales went on to become a legend in winning the lightweight championship against Jose Luis Castillo in 2005 in what may be the greatest bout in recent memory. Sadly, Corrales died in a motorcycle crash two years to the day of his most celebrated triumph.

Some risk all to keep their loss columns empty, while others do whatever it takes -- even if that means avoiding unfavorable matchups -- to remain blemish-free. Either way, that intangible donut weighs heavily on every undefeated boxer's plate as he step through the ropes.

With that, a list of the best undefeated fighters in the sport:

1. Ivan Calderon (32-0-1, 6 KOs), junior flyweight: The Iron Boy showed some rust in a technical draw with Rodel Mayol on June 13. Even if he's losing a step, he can still avoid getting hit better than most in the business. But how much does he have left at 34?

2. Juan Manuel Lopez (26-0, 24 KOs), junior featherweight: If this Puerto Rican southpaw boxer-puncher has a weakness, it has yet to be exposed. Juanma disposed of another victim, Olivier Lontchi, on June 27. Super stardom may be on the horizon.

3. Floyd Mayweather Jr. (39-0, 25 KOs), welterweight: Money May's financial instability has forced him out of retirement. His pride has forced him to face one of the best boxers in the world, Juan Manuel Marquez, in his return bout. Too bad Marquez is a lightweight.

4. Carl Froch (25-0, 20 KOs), super middleweight: The Cobra was on the better end of a thriller against Jermain Taylor, knocking out Bad Intentions with 14 seconds left in their April 25 bout. The 168-pound division is deeper than the English Channel, and this Brit may be the best in it.

5. Chad Dawson (28-0, 17 KOs), light heavyweight: Bad Chad has incredible physical tools, especially speed, but the southpaw hasn't been a critical success in recent wins against Antonio Tarver (twice) and Glen Johnson. A scheduled rematch with Johnson is pivotal.

6. Arthur Abraham (30-0, 24 KOs), middleweight: Boxing fans are clamoring for a King Arthur-Kelly Pavlik middleweight championship bout. It is uncertain whether it will happen with Abraham's difficulty making 160, though he showed no signs of sluggishness in defeating Mahir Oral on June 27.

7. Chris John (42-0-2, 22 KOs), featherweight: A blood illness kept the Dragon from rectifying a faulty draw with Rocky Juarez. The June 27 rematch was scrapped, but the self-promoted Indonesian remains an entertaining and under-appreciated fighter.

8. Jorge Linares (27-0, 18 KOs), junior lightweight: It's a shame how little American fight fans get to see of El Nino de Oro. After sitting out nearly all of 2008, the Venezuelan has notched stoppages in back-to-back fights, most recently over Josafat Perez on June 27.

9. Timothy Bradley (24-0, 11 KOs), junior welterweight: Desert Storm proved his mettle by overcoming a first-round knockdown (and a rare standing 8-count) to win a decision over Kendall Holt on April 4. An August 1 bout against Nate Campbell is mouth-watering.

10. Edwin Valero (25-0, 25 KOs), lightweight: Despite his lack of quality opposition by comparison, El Inca has run through every opponent in his path. Valero has limited medical clearance in the States stemming from a brain injury, but he is a thrilling enigma at 135.

Of course, there are other notable no-loss fighters who could easily be on the list. If you like or dislike, agree or disagree, post a comment. The "Bag O'Donuts" will appear on the last Tuesday every month.

Ortiz backlash: Victor Ortiz is likable, talented and fun to watch. That stated, he is not "vicious," as his nickname implies. Not after quitting in the sixth round against Marcos Maidana on June 27.

As if robbing fans of what was a back-and-forth firefight that had both fighters tasting promotional decal a stunning total of five times wasn't enough, Ortiz felt it was necessary to tell Max Kellerman in a post-fight interview that he wanted to be able to talk when he is older and fans shouldn't hold it against him for not wanting to continue.

He has since changed his tune, attributing his comments to impulsiveness and nerves. Sorry, Victor, but it's going to take a lot more than an apology to mend what you have broken. Fans connect with those who go out on their shields.

Ortiz must find something within himself to be a warrior in the heat of battle, not in hindsight.

Remember that aforementioned comparison between Freitas and Corrales? Ortiz has decided not to be held in as high regard as Corrales. It will be a long road back to winning fans' trust in his degree of fortitude.

As Ortiz may have learned, the science isn't always sweet.