Mayweather snubbed as The Ring names Pacquiao No. 1
Manny Pacquiao has been given a boost by being named the best pound-for-pound boxer by The Ring magazine. This accolade is another snub in Floyd Mayweather Jnr’s direction and comes hot on the heels of “Pacman’s” fighter of the decade award.
The boxing bible, as The Ring proclaims, itself has been the main source of news and information for fight fans worldwide since the dawn of time. Certainly a credible source, full of undoubted experts, but it’s still just opinions. It doesn’t matter what ranking list you look at, it’s all entirely subjective.
Mayweather could feel hard done by with both The Ring and the fighter of the decade award. Before his retirement Mayweather was far and away No.1 and has almost had to prove himself again since his comeback. He still has a perfect record and in “Sugar” Shane Mosley he has fought better opposition in his last bout than Pacquiao, who came through against Joshua Clottey.
In terms of the fighter of the decade award as Floyd Mayweather Snr pointed out to FightHype.com “Pacquiao has two draws and a loss in this decade. Lil’ Floyd is undefeated in this decade and in his career.” Again the other side of the coin shows Pacman started his career at an earlier age and has fought more fights, 56 to Mayweather’s 41 and indeed taken 38 knockouts to “Money’s” 25, so read into that what you will.
With the same breath, though,consider the overall quality of opposition they have faced and it’s pretty even. Pacquiao scored more emphatic victories over Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton than Money did, although you could argue Mayweather got their first and softened them up.
However the Filipino has been a bit more forth going in fighting the tougher fights, stepping up to face Miguel Cotto last November, something Mayweather’s yet to do. He put in a very convincing virtuoso performance against “Junito”, consigning him to only his second defeat and making him look second rate.
Juan Manuel Marquez is another common opponent, Pacquiao faced a much younger and better version of him in a controversial 2004 draw and a very dubious win in 2008 saw Pacman through. In comparison Mayweather took on an ageing Marquez last year and battled his way to a comfortable if unexciting unanimous decision win.
Elsewhere Pacquiao has come through a thrilling series with Eric Morales with a defeat and two KO wins and two good victories of Marco Antonio Barrera, while Mayweather can list decision victories against Jose Luis Castillo twice and Zab Judah among his finest wins.
As for titles they seem to have both transcended them now, although Pacquiao does currently hold the WBO welterweight belt. Historically though the Filipino can boast an incredible seven belts in seven weight classes to the American’s nine belts in five divisions, not bad achievements for either really.
In terms of style in recent years Pacquiao has been the more exciting to watch. His fights have showcased his tremendous hand speed and marks have to go to him in terms of thrilling fights, while Mayweather’s more one for the purist. A skilled defensive fighter and excellent counter-attacker, he may not boast stunning KO’s but he can control a fight very astutely.
Ultimately though this is all whimsical and doesn’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy mixed up world. Who’s to truly say with conviction who the pound-for-pound champion is? It depends entirely on what criteria you use and is really more something to argue with your mates down the pub than an exact science. I am sure the Klitschkos, Paul Williams, Chad Dawson and Marquez would all like to stake claims for themselves as well and these things really should be taken with a pinch of salt.
It all adds fuel to the Pacquiao v Mayweather fire though and if it can help make this fight happen all the better. At least then we will know for sure and not have to rely on guess work.
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