By Mark Ona: I believe that boxing supremacy lies in the gloves of its current WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao. Like Mayweather Jr., Pacquiao began his professional career at 106 pounds, and in their own separate ways; both have consumed their opposition in imposing fashions. For Pacquiao, however, an impeccable archive of victorious wins did not follow as easily. His first loss came when he fought at 113 lbs losing a 12 round decision to his fellow countryman.

His second loss occurred three years later when he failed to continue after being floored by a third round knockout. Following his two early losses, Pacquiao tasted defeat only one other time. In the spring of 2005, Pacquiao adhered to a blood test two days before his fight with top contender Erik Morales, saying that it made him feel weak.

The unfortunate outcome for Pacquiao after this match was a 12 round unanimous decision victory for Morales. Deciding to never take a blood test that close to a fight ever again, the Filipino superstar went on to avenge that loss with a TKO victory in the tenth round of their second fight. In the third and much anticipated final bout of their trilogy, Pacquiao gave fans a phenomenal performance sending Morales to the canvas a total of three times and ending any hopes Morales had for a world title in the third round.

Pacquiao continued his reign in the super featherweight division with impressive wins over Jorge Solis, Juan Manuel Marquez, and future hall of famer Marco Antonio Barrera. After his fifth and sixth world titles, he decided to make history and face the WBO welterweight champion, and top pound-for-pound warrior Miguel Angel Cotto. This win marked the legacy of Manny Pacquiao’s illustrious career in the sport of boxing.

If we take into consideration the three boxers both Pacquiao and Mayweather fought, we must take the circumstances surrounding the fights into consideration as well. In Mayweather Jr. vs. Marquez, Mayweather Jr. showcased superb talent with a 12 round unanimous decision win against a fighter that has never fought above 135 lbs; only to appear at the weigh-ins two pounds heavier than their weight agreement and four pounds heavier than the lighter Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao, rather, fought a 24 round war ending in a draw and a win. To his credit, Pacquiao is obviously not the same fighter he was when he clashed with Marquez in early 2008. If the two were to fight now, Pacquiao would only crush and end the Mexican fighter’s career.

In De La Hoya, Pretty Boy Floyd admissibly won a close 12 round split decision in 2007, only to retire avoiding any possible rematch that the Golden Boy had already demanded. While in 2008, Pacquiao dismantled the boxing legend not allowing him to advance past round eight. Though it was known that De La Hoya became dehydrated cutting down to 145 lbs. Pacquiao still rose two full weight classes above what was already considered to be too heavy for him at the time.

Hatton challenged Mayweather Jr. at 147 lbs, a weight class undeniably uncomfortable for the English boxer; considering that Hatton has only competed at 147 lbs. on one other occasion in his career. Hatton was completely outclassed before being knocked out in the tenth round. This fight, nonetheless, was another admirable performance by Floyd Mayweather Jr. As for the Filipino phenom, six minutes was a sufficient amount of time to beat his opponent. Before the sound of the bell in the second round, Pacquiao delivered to Hatton a left hook to the chin that paralyzed the Hitman for several minutes. This, once again, demonstrated the breed of big punchers that Pacquiao comes from.

The dictionary defines a champion as a person who has defeated all opponents in a competition. All of the greats: Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roy Jones Jr., and now Manny Pacquiao, have losses in their careers, yet they have confronted the best fighters in their respective weight classes. Pacquiao continues to amaze audiences with his style and his heart. He has already cemented his fellowship amongst the greatest boxers of all time. Before Floyd Mayweather Jr. can be crowned the undisputed pound-for-pound best boxer of our era, he must first beat the best boxers of our era, or he could just beat Manny Pacquiao!