BOXING\Whitaker is world's top fighter.

Byline: Michael Rosenthal

This one might not go over well but here goes: The best fighter in the world? Pernell Whitaker.

OK, OK, Roy Jones is perfect. The IBF super middleweight champ has remarkable skills, he has power, he has speed, he has youth, he has charisma, he has it all and then some.

The problem is he doesn't have the resume: With the possible exceptions of a less-than-prepared James Toney and Bernard Hopkins, his opponents have been anything but noteworthy.

Everyone wants to see how he will respond to a serious test - if there's one out there.

Whitaker, the WBC welterweight champion, might not have a crowd-pleasing style, he might not dominate his opponents as Jones does, but he has been just as unbeatable. His boxing skills are beyond reproach.

And he has impeccable credentials: He has won six world titles in four weight classes and fought in 18 world championship bouts.

A partial list of his opponents reads like a who's who among champions. Julio Cesar Chavez, Azumah Nelson, Buddy McGirt and Roger Mayweather are perhaps the best and Whitaker fought them all in their primes.

His only loss was a disputed decision against Jose Luis Ramirez, whom he later outpointed, in 1988.

At 32, Whitaker probably has seen his best days. However, he'll remain on top of the Daily News' list of the world's best pound-for-pound fighters until he fades. When it happens, Jones will be there to take over.

After Whitaker and Jones, there is a significant drop-off. Young fighters like Oscar De La Hoya, Felix Trinidad, Marco Antonio Barrera, Kostya Tszyu, Naseem Hamed and Ricardo Lopez will one day challenge for the top spot but aren't yet there.

The Daily News' Top 10 list accompanies this column.

Time for change: Whether or not Tommy Morrison has the HIV virus, the circumstances surrounding his suspension Saturday made something clear: All states should require HIV testing.

Apparently, the chances of the HIV virus being passed from one open wound to another are slim.

Still, in boxing a sport in which blood flows freely and often, strict precautions are necessary.

In the NBA, for example, players who are bleeding are required to leave the game and cannot return until the bleeding is stopped. Even blood-stained uniforms must be washed in detergent known to dilute HIV.

Obviously, such precautions are impractical in boxing. The only way to monitor HIV is by testing. That only three states - Nevada, Arizona and Washington - do it is unfortunate.

California, which has felt constrained by civil-rights issues, must take the risk. It's preferable to the alternative.

Updated heavyweight rankings: 1. Riddick Bowe; 2. Mike Tyson; 3. Lennox Lewis; 4. Evander Holyfield; 5. Michael Moorer; 6. Frank Bruno; 7. Bruce Seldon; 8. Oliver McCall; 9. Henry Akinwande; 10. Tim Witherspoon.

Foreman update: George Foreman pulled out of a scheduled fight with Michael Moorer because organizers failed to meet his price: $10 million.

However, Moorer, whom Foreman knocked out in 1994 to win the IBF title, remains the only opponent other than Tyson whom Big George would consider, according to publicist Bill Caplan, an advisor and longtime friend of the former heavyweight champ.

"He said that morally he owes Michael Moorer a rematch," Caplan said. "He said, 'When I was undefeated and Ali knocked me out, I tried hard to get him back into the ring. I was never able to even though I was the No. 1 contender. I'll always wonder if I could've beaten him in a rematch.'

"That's why he feels he owes Moorer. But he won't do it for less than $10 million."

Obviously, the moral debt to Moorer isn't binding.

Add Foreman: Some people wonder whether Foreman pulled out of the Moorer fight because he thought he might lose and ruin his chances for a mega-money fight with Tyson. After all, what's a million dollars or two when you have as much money as Foreman has?

Remember, Moorer was beating Foreman handily when he became careless and was caught with a big right.

Rabbit punches: Eric "Butterbean" Esch is expected to fight on the March 13 card featuring the Ruelas brothers at the Olympic Auditorium. Among possible opponents for Gabriel Ruelas are Julio Cesar Herrera and Joel Garcia, an inconsistent but gutsy fighter, according to promoter Peter Broudy. . . . Jesse Magana faces Freddy Cruz in a 122-pound bout tonight at the forum. Luis Ramon "Yory Boy" Campas was scheduled to fight Ray Collins, but Campas is ill. ..Jorge Paez faces Paris Alexander on Thursday's card at the Olympic. . . .Jorge Paez faces Paris Alexander on Thursday's card at the Olympic. . . .

WBC superfeatherweight Azumah Nelson and Jeff Fenech will fight on May 17 in Austrailia, the last installment of their entertaining trilogy. They fought to a controversial draw and Nelson won the rematch. . . .

King reportedly said Tyson will fight outside the country in September. Saudi Arabia and Thailand were among countries mentioned. Tyson fights Frank Bruno on March 16 and either Bruce Seldon or the IBF champion - currently Francois Botha, whose title is in jeopardy because he took steroids - on June 22.

?POUND FOR POUND

The Daily News' rankings of the world's best boxers. Not many heavyweights here, are there?

1. PERNELL WHITAKER

Age: 32.

Title: WBC welterweight.

Record: 37-1-1, 16 KOs.

Comment: My gut says Jones, my brain says Whitaker. The long-reigning welterweight champ continues to outclass everyone placed in front of him. Until he loses, this is where he stays. A matchup with Felix Trinidad would determine whether Whitaker has slipped.

2. ROY JONES

Age: 27.

Title: IBF super middleweight.

Record: 31-0, 27 KOs.

Comment: All the tools are there: He might be the only fighter without a weakness and he has charisma to boot. Beyond a less-than-prepared James Toney, however, he hasn't fought anyone. It would be interesting to see how he responds when hit with a big punch.

3. OSCAR DE LA HOYA

Age: 23.

Title: WBO lightweight.

Record: 20-0, 18.

Comment: The Golden Boy continues to dominate his opponents - albeit undersized ones - and improves with every fight. Although his power is his most-feared weapon, his defensive skills are impressive. His chin remains suspect. The Julio Cesar Chavez bout will be a defining test.

4. FELIX TRINIDAD

Age: 23.

Title: IBF welterweight.

Record: 27-0, 23.

Comment: The Puerto Rican is similar to De La Hoya in many ways, down to the suspect chin, but is easier to hit. Still, he has dazzled spectators each time out with his fire and all-around ability. Like Jones, he must beat a big-name fighter or two to rise in the rankings.

5. TERRY NORRIS

Age: 28.

Title: WBC/IBF super welterweight.

Record: 42-6, 26.

Comment: Norris' up-and-down career is up once again. He's a fine boxer with good power who has maintained his determination. For the moment, he also has overcome his self-destructive temperament. Only his notoriously weak chin stands between him and true greatness.

6. MARCO ANTONIO BARRERA

Age: 22.

Title: WBO super bantamweight.

Record: 40-0, 28.

Comment: In last week's bout for the ages against Kennedy McKinney, the Mexican proved he belongs here with his ferocity and resilience. Indeed, he's a showstopper. He has a glaring flaw, though: He's easy to hit, particularly with the right hand.

7. KOSTYA TSZYUP

Age: 28.

Title: IBF junior welterweight.

Record: 16-0, 12.

Comment: Another of the quick, well-schooled, spectacular but relatively untested champions. He disassembled capable Jake Rodriguez to win his title. A bout between the Russian-turned-Australian and De La Hoya would be about as juicy - and meaningful - as they come.

8. NASEEM HAMED

Age: 21.

Title: WBO featherweight.

Record: 20-0, 18.

Comment: The Briton has been compared to Hector Camacho, only he has more power than the Macho Man. He's a brilliant boxer with exceptional defensive skills. And he's cocky - very cocky. He must fight on this side of the Atlantic to back up his talk. Hamed-Barrera?

9. RICARDO LOPEZ

Age: 29.

Title: WBC strawweight.

Record: 40-0, 30.

Comment: Next to Jones, the little Mexican might be the most complete fighter. He destroys his opponents. One problem, though: His division lacks top-level opposition. He must fight the top flyweights to prove beyond doubt that he is among the world's best.

10. RIDDICK BOWE

Age: 28.

Title: WBO heavyweight.

Record: 38-1, 32.

Comment: Bowe wasn't all that impressive in Bowe-Holyfield III. He fought tentatively and was never in sync. Had Holyfield followed up after he knocked Bowe down, Evander could be here. Still, Bowe has the all-around ability. Let's see what happens when he's hit by Tyson.

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(color) Pernell Whitaker, shown here after a victory, is pound for pound the world's best boxer. Box Pound for Pound (see text) Associated Press