By Sam Singh: As the ’00s come to an end, it’s time to consider potential candidates as to determining the ‘Fighter of the Decade’. After careful consideration of what has been an eventful decade for the sport of boxing, my three candidates, in no particular order, are: Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Bernard Hopkins.
Over the past decade, Filipino sensation Manny Pacquiao has boxed his way to becoming the most famous fighter in the world. Pacquiao’s opponents have included Erik Morales (three times), Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), Juan Manuel Marquez (twice), Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. In these 10 fights, Pacquiao has won the last 3 notably by KO/TKO, accumulating a total of 8 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss.
It’s also worth noting that unlike Mayweather Jr. and Hopkins, who both fought some of their bigger fights against smaller men, Pacquiao has been challenging naturally bigger fighters.
Similarly, over the last 10 years, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has had 20 championship fights. Mayweather Jr. captured championships at weights as high as 154lbs pounds and scored notable victories over Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo (twice), Zab Judah, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Juan Manuel Marquez.
During this time, Mayweather has come under a lot of criticism for his style of fighting as well as his selection of opponents. Some Mayweather critics say Floyd runs more than he fights. But Bernard Hopkins, who recently criticized Mayweather for not fighting Mosley, said, “Floyd don’t run from nobody. I’ve seen Floyd counter punch; I’ve seen Floyd move; I’ve seen Floyd use his speed, use his quickness. But I’ve never seen Floyd run.”
Still, Mayweather critics claim he ducked the tough fights, managing to avoid the likes of Shane Mosley, Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto.
My third and final candidate is Bernard Hopkins. Over the last decade, Hopkins has accumulated notable victories against the likes of Felix Trinidad, Oscar De La Hoya, Antonio Tarver, Winky Wright & Kelly Pavlik. He also ‘lost’ very close and controversial decisions to Joe Calzaghe and Jermain Taylor. Not to forget his other stellar wins against the likes of Glen Johnson and Keith Holmes. Hopkins has fought them all.
It’s difficult to determine but it’s a close call between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
It’ll be much clearer after they’ve fought.
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