Who will leave the leave the greater legacy behind- Mayweather or Pacquiao
December 10th, 2009
by Liam Fitzgerald: Legacy is a term that often comes up in boxing circles. To some boxers it means everything whilst others are not too bothered about how their achievements in the ring are viewed by others. As Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr look set to meet on March 13th for the fight everybody wants to see, I thought I would look into who would leave the greater legacy behind after the fight. There’s no doubt these two are the best out there at the moment and for the last few years, so it seems logical to compare the two.
If we take these two points to be the most significant, then it is clear to see that Pacquiao at present is on course to leave the greater legacy. This is a man who has beaten ring legends Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera (twice) and Erik Morales (twice) and although the Marquez win has been questioned, the other four were decisive. (Personally, I feel Pacquiao just about edged both fights with Marquez although I would love a third meeting to settle the score). The incredible thing was that these victories aren’t even the ones that brought him to the attention of the wider public. This has came in his last three wins over Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, all good multi-weight world champions in their own right.
These wins have received a lot of criticism from Pacman “haters” but by analyzing each one of them, you can see that Pacquiao was many people’s underdog, with the possible exception of the Cotto fight. Ok de la Hoya was nowhere near his best when fighting Pacquiao but this was a man who had won a world championship at middleweight and so who had big physical advantages over Pacquiao. However, there is no other word for it- Pacquiao DESTROYED him. The same with Hatton. He is now considered by many to have been a “shot” fighter when fighting Manny but before the fight he had never lost in 43 contests at light welterweight and had beaten most contenders at the weight. However, he was devastatingly knocked out in 2 damaging rounds by the Filipino. Then, Cotto, a world class welterweight, was also stopped by Pacquiao, even though before the fight so many, including me, felt that the Puerto Rican was too strong for him. I was badly wrong but I make no excuses for Cotto and just realise that he was simply outdone by the wizardry of Pacquiao.
This brings me on to fighting style. Pacquiao is all action and throws lightning combinations of up to 8, 9 punches at a time. He loves to get in a brawl but it is very rare to see a messy fight with him in. the action tends to be gripping and for this reason his legacy is bound to be a long lasting one. And don’t forget that this is a man who has astonishingly won world championships from flyweight up to welterweight. This is an amazing feat and truly sets him apart as a modern day great. Pacquiao’s legacy is undoubtedly going to be massive with his victories against such icons of the sport in numerous weight classes in his enthralling style.
In comparison, Floyd Mayweather’s resume doesn’t seem as impressive. We all know what a tremendously skilful boxer he is, but the question must be asked is that enough? Floyd is predominantly defensive fighter and he is an expert at this style. For boxing purists, he is a dream. They say the art is hitting and not being hit and he is the best exponent of that. However, few of his fights excite the public as much as Pacquiao’s which puts a black mark against his name in a comparison between the two.
However, more damaging for his legacy is the tag now being attached to him as a cherry picker of opponents. The fact that he has been fighting at welterweight since 2005 and has still yet to face Mosley, Margarito, Cotto or Williams implies that he is not as interested in fighting the best as he is at trying to conserve his unbeaten record. Men such as Henry Bruseles and Carlos Baldomir were never in Mayweather’s class whilst his bout with Juan Manuel Marquez is rightly criticized as he was fighting a much smaller man who was heavily disadvantaged at the weight. I don’t want to criticize him too much as he has beaten good fighters in Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo (just) and Oscar de la Hoya but he could have done more to appeal to the public.
This could all change of course in March if Mayweather was able to ruthlessly dispose of Pacquiao but I doubt that will happen. At the moment, Pacquiao is the man that most boxing fans will fondly remember more due to his fighting style and countless impressive victories.
Tags: 66 Responses to “Who will leave the leave the greater legacy behind- Mayweather or Pacquiao”
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I think Pacquiao will leave the greater legacy than Mayweather. Given all these accusations, it can’t be denied that Pacquiao’s name is already etched in the history of boxing for winning 7 titles in as many weight divisions. If they were to fight, Pacquiao has the stamina to maintain the assault to full 12 rounds but he has to be smart and stay focused and follow Roach’s plans or else he’ll get outboxed by Mayweather.
odds are -130 in favor of mayweather ( in other words, you would have to bet $130 to make $100 on floyd, and $100 on manny would get you back $110) over/under is 11 1/2 rounds, which means that oddsmakers believe it will go the distance. In contrast, floyd was about -450 over marquez, and manny was about -220 over cotto. The oddsmakers think it will be pretty even!
let’s get it on. manny is full of surprises. this will compensate the boring style of floyd jr.
at the end of the day, floyd still needs to fight a legit welterweight like cotto, mosley, or margarito.
pauldong, overall Roach might have more champions but Roger has the top dog and up to this point his fighter has yet to lose a fight.
was this great Judah the same guy who got punched in the gut by cotto and quit? although I am a pacman fan, I dont think he will wiin. But don’t say that Roach isnt a better trainer than Roger, and dont say that Floyd has fought tougher opponents. and dont compare a 140-something marquez to the 130 pounder pacman fought. If you want to compare, compare the hatton and de la hoya fights — they do share those opponents.Manny is a natural 135-pounder who has to fight bigger men because of the monetary attraction.
AO…I have to correct you on something. Floyd fought Zab in April of ’06 and Mosley fought Vargar in Feb and June in ’06 and when asked about fighting Floyd, Mosley is the one that made excuses not to fight him.
I agree that Floyd has cherry picked a little bit at welterweight, but with the Baldomir fight floyd did beat the linear champion at 147. The Zab Judah fight was a little bit unnessicary as he could have fought Shane or Cotto, but does anybody honestly think Shane or Miguel would have beat him?
In my opinion I think Floyd is just a little bit too quick and accurate for Manny, and I would favor Floyd winning by a tight unanimous decision.
nice article keep up on writing!
so somebody is willing to bet their wife.
anybody else?
Paul dong..I have to disagree…I do not think Manny has a big edge in the trainer department. I agree Roach has trained more fighters but Roger trains the best fighter.
Well when a guy lands 2 to 3 times more punches than his opponents I think that speaks for his offense. Floyd is a technically very sound and doesn’t waste many punches. People mistaken throwing tons of punches for offense. Most guys have to throw more punches than Floyd in order to have a chance to land as many punches. So what if a guy throws 70 punches a round if he only lands 15, Floyd only needs to throw 30-35 to land 15.
this pacman thing is getting ridiculous. i mean its getting beyond a joke now. the boxing pr machine ha gone into overdrive and you cant really blame the promoters theyre in it to make money after all, but sorry pacman fans, even though manny is a decent gutsy fighter he isnt the legend you seem to think he is. 7 weight champ!, ok well done but delahoya was a 6 weight champ and nobody seriously thinks he was a true great. look at mannys record and he has very few top class victories, maybe only 3. 1. first fight against barrera. 2. second fight against morales, and 3. the win against cotto. in the final fights against barrera and morales they were washed up by that time, he had wars with marquez (who he refuses to face again), and robbed him on the cards on both occasions. then he beat the washed up DLH and the over rated hatton. GET REAL guys this is not the career of a superstar. i suggest you look at the carrer of the true p4p champ floyd mayweather, and tune in to watch him hand manny pacquiao his as in march
Pac man has the big edge in the trainer dept and in his combos. Mayweather is smarter and a better pure boxer. He will have to provide some offense, though, which is in doubt in many figths. He will have to stand toe-to-toe and slug it out on occasion. I am an American who lived in the RP and Manny is like Jordan and Tiger Woods (he even was cheating at the same time as Tiger)combined.
Great article
Good points very much enjoyed reading it.
tommy – very good point. Everyone is talking about Pacquiao’s offense, and how he will eventually break Mayweather down. But, what happens if he can’t break Mayweather’s defense?
What if Mayweather goes on the offense?
You rarely see Pacquiao on the back foot in any of his bouts, how will he react?
There are so many ways this bout could unfold. It’s not as simple as Pacquiao will ko Floyd. Or Mayweather will potshot Pacquiao all night.
I’m just hoping we see the most exciting bout.
Money pacquiao I willing to bet my wife and your wife and your dog….Easy win for Money Mayweather.
are you willing to bet your wife?
it seems like most of you are sure of what’s going to happen.
Without Mayweather fighting Pac, Pac would have the greater legacy because of the devistating way he’s beaten fighters at higher weights and the amount of great/legendary fighters he’s beaten. Mayweather would need to beat Pac to have a greater legacy.
in regards to legacy in my opinion PB wins hes got the whole package he is in a class of his own when it comes to boxing skill. also he brings the excitement in the build up he talks the talk as it were thats why he will be remembered hes a character of the sport just like ali…..ali talked the talk and he walked the walk and once mayweather beats pac man so will the pretty boy true great
The pacman has power and speed, no doubt about that! the 1 thing he doesn’t have is strategy.this guy throws countless punches with the hope of 1 catching his opponent, you guys should have seen the number of times this guys shots missed cotto. Against the best boxing defense(in floyd), pacman’s shots are gonna miss all nite. bottom line is pacman won’t be able to floor prettyboy. floy by late stoppage.
Pacquiao was getting hit by Cotto and Mayweather is way better than Cotto. This is going to be easy.
Mayweather will out box Pacquiao just like he did Marquez and after Mayweather wins all you Maywether Haters will say it’s boring and he has to fight Mosley or someone else. This will be a easy win for Mayweather. Pacquiao is over rated. Note: Pacquiao really lost to Marquez both times.
With that being would Pacquiao get distracted from his elecetion by training for his fight with mayweather jr.? someone should write about this and tell arum to schedule the fight at a late time possibly june
you guys are all wrong:
the fight will be bashed by all for weeks
1) fight will happen in march 13
2) floyd will do his usual hit, wait & run tactic
3) roach plans to employ a similar tactic: hit, wait, back off (not run, mind you)
4) fight will go 12 rounds
5) fans will go wild; boos will be heard not just in the arena but around the world at home
6) floyd will still be “pretty boy”
7) manny will still be…well, manny
9) everyone will be looking for someone to blame
10) guess who will be blamed
and yes it will be a draw…no, there won’ be a rematch…
nice ending….hohummm…
wow is should happen
Prediction:
It will go all 12 rounds. Mayweather will continue to hit Pac-man with that jab. Floyd is too quick and too smart to just stand up and take hits like all the other boxers that Pac-man has destroyed. Mayweather will win by decision.
did the two great fighter signed already?? what is the latest??? they should sign it for the boxing fans because if they don’t their value will be became lower than now!!! Especially with floyd!! people will think he is ducking manny… i think manny sign already and also preparing for his training and said first 1 month/week will be again in Philippines and for me this will be bad for manny because of the distraction and many problems in Philippines!!! damn!!!! i just want to see the best of the best of fighter and stylist, boxer and slugger, mind fighter and heart fighter…. and i don’t want to hear any reason for the two of them they should fight even and square 50-50 split, 147 (lb), 8oz for manny 10oz for floyd. what is the problem with that??!!!
do you like the straight forward brawler or do you like the skilled technician ?? if they both left boxing today id say pac. wins …he has taken on MORE risk ..history has shown us that boxers that have a hard punching ; brawling style tend to hit a “wall” in their careers sooner than a defensive style fighter. that said ; mayweather could retire and gasp- unretire for another ten years!!its all a matter of opinion in the end right ??
My Prediction:
Pacquiao KO.. i wont say what round..but they way he just comes forward shot after shot..
god i hope i’m wrong!! i’m a diehard mayweather fan.
Unfortunatly Mayweather has been tarnishing his legacy ever since he moved up to Welterweight.
Pacman on the other hand just keeps strengthening his legacy each time he fights.
MoneyPack – Both camps will be looking for the slightest advantage up until the ring walk. It’s sadly not as simple as two boxers agreeing to fight anymore.
mark – Roach stated after the Cotto bout, Pacquiao may move upto 154lbs to take on Foreman. IF Mayweather wants the fight up at 154lbs, this will be him obviously taking advantage of Roach’s comments.
mark – I’m talking about after the Cotto bout. Roach stated Foreman is a possibility up at 154lbs. IF Mayweather wants the bout up at 154lbs like Roach is claiming, this is Mayweather taking advantage of Roach’s statement. If this bout comes off, no doubt it is going to be at 147lbs.
MoneyPack – Pacquiao did start off at 106lbs, when he was 16 years old. Mayweather at 16 years old was also 106lbs, but he wasn’t allowed to turn professional until he was 18. The reason Pacquiao is taking out these “bigger” guys is because his body has developed late, i’d class him as a fully blown light-welter now, but he looks very comfortable at welter also.
Also, I highly doubt it is just the venue that needs to be agreed. Both camps will be looking for the slightest advantage up until they get into the ring!
so as humble as he is ,deep down manny knows he can ko, any fighter given he can get a clean shot. hat a confidance hard to shake.
to tommy….the decade is over u idiot! 2010 is the start of another decade..stfu!
some writer just mention pacman has put every fighter he fought down to the canvas,only two fighters didnt go down .a earlier fighter and oscar,just as I taught his punching underestimated. time and time again who next? he.
fan,
i agree but it wont happen man. this fight will be pacmans last win lose or draw. he doesnt need to prove anything against mosley as he (pacman) has alreadycleaned out the lower divion(s).he will definetly retire and go into politics.
floyd however would still need to challenge mosley as he is a regular welter for the last 5 odd years and hasnt fought nobody..
I hope the fight happens. Push it, push it some more.
All I care about is who ever the winner is He must fight the winner of Mosley and berto!
154 newbie.. I was talking bout foreman LOL..
Manny and Roach are willing to fight at 154 with that newbie because they know that somehow it’s even. The guy maybe bigger but Manny’s got speed. But why would we let Mayweather take the fight at 154 when he’s already got the size and reach advantage. Pac only edges him a bit in my opinion on the speed department and perhaps I might be wrong and they actually are the same in that department. The only thing pac got over him is power. Mayweather… own up and fight at 147!!!
Wow, i can see there will never be an end to this. Liam i dont understand how many times writers on this site can harp on the same topic. Is it just for attention maybe the writers here are jumping on the “magic man ” train you know, mention pacquiao – get attention?
Anyways, seriously though everyone knows Floyd is good at what he does but his legacy will NEVER stand up to Manny’s even if he beats him. Also lets hope this March 13th date happens i see snakes in the grass.
Floyd is fighting for money. Manny is fighting for country and his people. Go figure who wins.
manny will have the bigger legacy and the lost 2 mayweather flpyed will have the win and the check go USA
By the way, this fight should be happening at 147lbs. Both are now legitimate Welterweights. Mayweather has had more time and experience at the weight class, but Pacquiao’s body has developed into the division.
By the way, this fight should be happening at 147lbs. Both Mayweather and Pacquiao are both Welterweights now. Mayweather has had the more time at the weight class, but Pacquiao’s body has matured into the division.
Didn’t Roach claim they may move up to 154lbs after the Cotto fight…yes.
No-one really knows if Mayweather actually asked for the fight at 154lbs…this is Roach again creating rumours.
Lets just hope the bout comes off, we are still in the negotiating period were both camps are looking to gain advantages.
very nice, well written article more power to u sir, all good things has to an end to mr. mayweather good luck pacquiao
BULLSEYE!!!!
yet people had a go at manny for fighting oscar at 147(de la hoya held numerous world titles at this weight, while pacman never fought over 142 at that point of this career) and cotto (who fought clottey at 146, wow a whole pound!)
lik i said if you are rite then this is a joke!
10oz gloves are a joke for professional boxers, this isnt amatuer for gods sake!
pacman at 154lbs.. hed look lik a late santa claws!!
Moneypack.. if what you say is true then what floyd is actually saying is that he doesnt want to fight manny, cos thats just cowardess and pathetic!
MONEYPACK if what you say is correct, and im not saying that it isnt, then everything i’ve felt about floyd is justified!
the guy is a hassler and he admits that!
10oz gloves should be banned from boxing, 8oz is what pros should be using, f**k sake this isnt the amatuers!
as for fighting at 154lb, give me a break!, so in other words floyd doesnt want any part of pacquiao!
can you guys imagine pacquiao at 154lb! he’ll be a late santa claws!!!
and pac haters were having a go at pac fighting oscar at 147 (who held titles at this weight) and cotto at 145 (who fought clottey at 146). to those people, STFU!
pps i admit i dont lik floyd but i still respect him as an amazing boxer, i just feel manny is better for the sport.
if floyd wins and then goes on to beat shane mosley i would rate floyd right up there with the greats of all time.(maybe a margarito or williams fight also to prove he can beat bigger men).
if he beats manny and just retires, you have another joe calazaghe. eg.. there will always be questions….
The way it looks right now the March 13 fight is not gonna happen. Bob Arum back out of the deal and lets his 2nd man do the dealing with GBP and will most likely bogged down the negotiation because Floyd does not want to fight Pacquiao not even for $40 million plus, the signs are everywhere people, its not gonna happen.Damn the legacy as long as Floyd remains unbeaten.
actually floyd probably edges manny for speed but definetly not power
i agree with david, no.2 on this blog. i am a big pacman fan and up until the cotto fight felt that floyd would just keep manny at arms length and dance away from any attacks.
but im starting to change my mind, manny can match floyd for speede and power so if i were freddie roach id put a large amount of training into cardio and fighting at a super pace, high tempo. sooner or later i think packy will catch up wit floyd.
ricky hatton was doing well for the fist half of the fight, i had ricky winning until he started to get tired and began coming straight into floyd making him a sitting duck. floyd just pot shot him.
i believe if packy fights at a high tempo he will win, either by stoppage at any round or on points, IF he can sustain a high pace.
ps i didnt feel pacman was at his usual best against cotto, as good as he was, i felt he was much quicker against oscar and ricky.
Well Floyd gets the recognition he deserves from boxing purists and Manny gets the recognition he deserves from the casual fan. Because you do not appeal to every type of fan does not take away from your accomplishments. As soon as people realize they because they have a preferred style they like watching does not mean that someone who doesn’t fight using that same style is not a great fighter.
money moves mountains. money mayweather and manny pacquiao are all money sounds names. These two boxers will gonna meet for the money that will destroy any obstacles.
i still believe that the best offense is NOT defense but relentless offense. No amount of superlative defense can offset a relentless tactical offense. Pac in 7 rounds
pacquiao is already giving him an advantage. in case you are wondering.. ear drum injury, wrist problem, ample amount of time to rest, trash talk..hahahaha
what advantage does mayweather give? nothing.
there is really something in the water.
reports:
1. a month or so ago mayweather was reported training for matthew hatton.
2. Roach once said that he wants his fighter to fight after elections due to his injuries. therefore, march 13 would be too early.
3. arum went to the philippines bringing “best deal” for manny. of course that is the 50-50 split and all those fair stuff.
4. arum said schaefer has an agenda.
conclusion
dont you think that mayweather agreed on march 13 believing that pacquiao might back out? (if pacquiao did back out, mayweather could have easily said that pacquiao is ducking him)
but then again the tide was in favor for the fans.
pacquiao check
mayweather ??????
mayweather will not be greater than pacman, and the fight seems to be in shambles right now , they might not even fight on march 13!
I don’t understand how you people considers Floyd a great fighter.
Honestly, he has done nothing to deserve that.
cherry picking is not real boxing.
Sure he can fight but he has been tested.
Mosely, Cotto could have beaten him.
so stfu.
and i’m glad that Manuel Perez isn’t writing much lately!
Well, manny has signed the contract for the 50-50 split fight and they are still waiting for mayweather… Maybe the fight won’t happen?
I see Mayweather building up a lead through the middle rounds then the hammer drops and Pac catches that well-protected chin and cracks it. Mayweather retired twice for a reason, his heart ain’t in it like it used to be. Make no mistake, Floyd will take no chances whatsoever and that could be enough to take a decision if Manny fights like an idiot. Lil Floyd has height and reach advantages but it won’t matter in the end. Pac-man has too much in the end, Mayweather’s brittle hands ain’t gonna hold up.
Well written, well said. I usually dont agree with writers on these topics, but I do for a change.