By Chester Rivers: It’s the fight that refuses to go away. Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao is still the biggest fight that can be made in boxing. If these two never fight each other boxing will still go on but the question of “what if” will always be a negative on Mayweather’s outstanding resume.
Former champion Roberto Duran has recently criticized Mayweather’s legacy. Duran believes Floyd is a product of the era he’s fighting and stated” if he fought during my era he would just another guy in the bunch.”
Does Duran have a legitimate point and what does Duran see that most of the boxing public is overlooking?” Duran’s era consists of 4 boxers that campaigned at welterweight who are considered all time greats. Sugar Ray Leonard, Wilfredo Benitez, Thomas Hearns and Duran all competed during the same time and all fought one another sometime during the peak of their careers.
Four all time greats deciding who is the best by proving it in the ring is unheard of in today’s boxing world. Fighters today would rather the analysts and fans decide by creating mythical pound for pound list as opposed to battling inside the squared circle.
One of the biggest criticisms of Mayweather is he only chooses to fight guys who pose low risk and high rewards. Many feel that was the determining factor in Floyd’s agreement to face undefeated Mexican champion Saul Alvarez. Canelo has a huge following but he is very inexperienced. Yes, Alvarez is undefeated in 42 fights but he is still learning on the job. Many boxing fans fail to realize Alvarez on had 20 amateur fights before turning pro. There are some things only experience can teach you.
Mayweather naysayers are always drawing up blueprints to defeat him. Some point to his fight with DeMarcus “Chop-Chop” Corley to say Floyd Jr has problems with south paws. Some point to the Zab Judah fight to say he has trouble with speed and power. Others use the Castillo 1 fight to say pressure is the key. The only welterweight with possesses experience, speed, power, pressure and a south paw is (drum roll please) Manny Pacquiao.
Pacquiao has lost his last 2 fights but he is still considered the biggest threat to Mayweather. De La Hoya, Moseley and Cotto were all good fighters but everyone watching could see they were all shells of their former selves. In order for Floyd Jr to be considered great he must face Pacquiao and put all questions to rest. Being undefeated is not a testament to ones greatness but a criticism of their opposition. Marciano and Calzaghe retired undefeated and somewhat anonymous to the casual boxing fan.
Who’s better Manny or Floyd? Is Floyd really afraid of Manny? These are questions that Floyd need to answer in the ring towards greatness and not allow history to decide in the battle of assumptions.