Neither Mayweather nor Pacquiao are all time greats

By Boxing News - 11/18/2010 - Comments

Image: Neither Mayweather nor Pacquiao are all time greatsBy Gerardo Granados: This two are most quoted prizefighters in the last couple of years, boxing fans all over the world fight each other on blogs or forums with such fierce that makes you wonder what would happened if this two great in deed faced each other. Both parties allege that his favorite is the all time greatest and despite the insults both argue that Pretty Boy or Pacman have better boxing achievements to be considered the best. Congressman Pacquiao just won the WBC light middleweight title and his fans must believe that automatically that makes him the greatest. I am sorry to disagree with both parties but neither Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather nor Manny Pacman Pacquiao are the greatest; based on the criteria used by this bloggers the greatest of all times is Thomas “Hit man” Hearns.

Both Manny and Floyd are great prizefighters, and a fight between the two would be something to remember; they have different styles but in my personal opinion both styles are very pleasant to watch and equally effective. If I had to bet it would take me too long to pick the winner, I guess it is a 50% chance for both. I´ll just make clear that for me the greatest of all time is Sugar Ray Robinson, but according to the criteria used by both parties, they give more credit to multiple weight division champions so I´ll stick to this factor.

Lets start with Floyd, champion in five different weight divisions, unbeaten with a record T 41 – W 41 (25) – L 0 – D 0, PPV king, over all great skills and very smart “boxer”, the master of defensive style, sublime counter puncher, his life is controversial and can be match to any of the biggest stars in boxing such as the one of Iron Mike Tyson. Love him or hate him, but you can’t ignore him.
5´8” Height / 72” Reach.

Notables Hall of fame “candidates”: Sugar Shane Mosley, Juan Manuel Marquez, Genaro Hernandez, Ricky Hatton and Oscar De la Hoya,
Other notables: Carlos Baldomir, Zab Judah, Arturo Gatti, De Marcus Corley, Jose Luis Castillo, Jesus Chavez and Diego Corrales.

TITLES: WBC Super featherweight beat Genaro Hernandez RTD8, WBC Lightweight beat Jose Luis Castillo via UD12, WBC Light welterweight beat Arturo Gatti RTD6, IBF – IBO Welterweight beat Zab Judah via UD12, WBC – IBA Welterweight beat Carlos Baldomir UD12, WBC Light middleweight beat Oscar De la Hoya via SD12 and WBC Welterweight beat Ricky Hatton TKO10.

Now Manny, who personally I admire for his accomplishments outside the ring, he is a role model for success and a great human being, what he has done outside the ring really set him apart; no need to say he is a Congressman. Back to boxing, champion in eight different weight divisions, he has a record T56 – W51 (38) – L3 (2) – D2, he is a born “fighter” with a ferocious style, true ring warrior; his offensive skills are his best asset. He is been accused without any foundation of use of illegal substances. 5´6 ½” Height / 67” Reach.

Notables Hall of fame “candidates”: Miguel Angel Cotto, Ricky Hatton, Oscar de la Hoya, Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Erick Morales.

Other notables: Lehlohonolo Ledwaba, Jorge Eliecer Julio, Oscar Larios and Antonio Margarito.

TITLES: WBC Flyweight beat Chatchai Sasakul KO8, IBF Super bantamweight beat Lehlohonolo Ledwaba TKO6, The Ring featherweight world title beat Marco Antonio Barrera TKO11(this is a title awarded by a magazine, right?), WBC super featherweight beat Juan Manuel Marquez via SD12, IBA super featherweight lost to Erick Morales by UD12, WBC lightweight beat David Diaz TKO9, IBO light welterweight beat Ricky Hatton KO2, WBO welterweight beat Miguel Angel Cotto TKO12 and WBC light middleweight (vacant) beat Antonio Margarito by UD12 (in fact both welterweight moving up in weight).

Finally let’s analyze Hearns who was mostly known for his work inside the ring. Champion in six different weight divisions. He has a record T 67 – W 61 (48) – L 5 (4) – D 1, fought against the best in the weight division in which he conquered titles while opponents were still in his prime, never ducked anybody, no weight advantage issues; of course he is not unbeaten, but against who did he lost? Hearns has the full package, he is a proven warrior, and physically has the ideal size for a prizefighter: 6´1” Height / 78” Reach.
Notables Hall of fame Members: Jose Pipino Cuevas, Sugar Ray Leonard, Wilfredo Benitez, Roberto Duran and Marvin Hagler.

Other notables: *Iran “The Blade” Barkley, *“Quicksilver“ Virgil Hill, Uriah Grant, Angel Espada, Nate Miller and Dennis Andries (*Hall of fame “candidates”).

• WBA World Welterweight beat by KO 2 prime Jose Pipino Cuevas on his 13th title defense.
• WBC Welterweight lost to prime Sugar Ray Leonard TKO 14.
• WBC Light middleweight beat prime Wilfredo Benitez via MD 15.
• WBC Light middleweight beat prime Roberto Duran TKO 2.
• WBC-WBA World-IBF Middleweight lost to prime Marvin Hagler TKO 3.
• WBC Light heavyweight beat prime champion Dennis Andries TKO 10.
• WBC Middleweight beat Juan Domingo Roldan KO 4 (vacant).
• WBC Middleweight lost to prime Iran “The Blade” Barkley TKO 3 Upset of the year. Barkley was a three division champion – WBC middleweight / IBF super middleweight / WBA World light heavyweight.
• WBO super middleweight beat James Kinchen via MD 12 (vacant).
• WBC – WBO super middleweight draw against Sugar Ray Leonard.
• WBO super middleweight beat Michael Olajide via UD 12.
• WBA World light heavyweight beat prime “Quicksilver” Virgil Hill via UD 12. Hill was a former WBA – IBF light heavyweight / WBA World Cruiserweight champion, who had twenty nine title fights.
• WBU Cruiserweight beat Leny La Paglia TKO 1.
• IBO Cruiserweight at 40 years old beat Nate Miller by UD 12 (Miller was a former WBA World cruiserweight champion).

Do you honestly believe that Mayweather or Pacquiao would have a good chance to beat Hearns in the ring? Now, this is my humble opinion, if you think that I am wrong maybe reason will assist you. But with all due respect, can you make valid arguments to discredit Hearns as the greatest of all times based on your own criteria.



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