10 COUNT

HANGING ON

These quality veterans are still active in boxing today, writes Daniel Herbert

1. MANNY PACQUIAO

The Filipino turned pro at 16 and, after winning world titles at multiple weights, is still a major star at nearly 39.

2. GUILLERMO RIGONDEAUX

At 37, and after competing in world class (amateur and pro) for nearly 20 years, the Cuban “Jackal” is still good enough to tackle Vasyl Lomachenko next month.

3. ADONIS STEVENSON

Life certainly doesn’t end at 40 for the Canadian southpaw, who still reigns as WBC light-heavyweight king although in recent years he has avoided tough opponents.

4. MIGUEL COTTO

Now 37 and having held world titles from 140lbs to 160lbs, the marvellous Puerto Rican has his farewell fight against Sadam Ali on December 2.

5. JUERGEN BRAEHMER

A year after losing to Nathan Cleverly, the 39-year-old German turned back the clock to thrash the much younger Rob Brant in the WBSS 168lb tournament ( see pages 18-19).

6. LUIS ORTIZ

He failed a drug test recently (for the second time), but disciplinary proceedings are on-going, so the 38-year-old Cuban puncher merits his place on this list.

7. DENIS LEBEDEV

He’s suffered some brutal punishment in recent years, but the 38-year-old Russian won a WBA title fight at cruiserweight in July.

8. KOHEI KONO

Despite losing his WBA superflyweight belt in 2016, this 36-yearold Japanese is still worthy of a place in the world 115lb top 10.

9. FIRAT ARSLAN

Amazingly, this German of Turkish origin is still going strong at 47, having won his last seven fights.

10. ZHANAT ZHAKIYANOV

The Ricky Hatton-trained Kazakh recently lost his WBA bantamweight belt to Ryan Burnett, but remains world class despite turning 34 this Saturday (November 4).