By Chris Williams: Photo credit: Top Casino/Showtime – In a recent round table discussion on ESPN, television boxing analyst Teddy Atlas pointed out that Manny Pacquiao is lacking in wins over credible big named opponents in their prime. The talk was centered around picking top 20 fighters of all time and Atlas felt that Pacquiao hadn’t fought top guys in the same way that boxing greats like Henry Armstrong (149-21-10, 101 KO’s) did in his prime in the 1940s.

Armstrong won titles in three weight classes, Atlas points out, but he feels that he should won in a fourth weight class. Atlas mentions that Armstrong did this without all the multiple divisions and multiple titles that are in boxing now, such as the WBA.WBC. WBO, and IBF. There are many more ways for fighters to accumulate titles now compared to when Armstrong fought.

Here is what Atlas had to say: “He’s [Pacquiao] beaten some guys like [Oscar] De La Hoya who are a little past their prime, and guys that are dead at the weight. He beat [Miguel] Cotto, who was already damaged goods, who good beat up psychologically and physically by [Antonio] Margarito. I’m not taking anything away from him, but who did he really beat? He beat [Juan Manuel] Marquez, but he also fought a draw with, and he was life and death with Marquez. Is that the best on his resume? His best names are De La Hoya. He beat De La Hoya. He beat Ricky Hatton, who was made to order. He beat Cotto who was damaged goods. For legitimacy, he has to beat a top fighter and I don’t that he’s done that.”

I agree with Atlas. Pacquiao’s wins have come against fighters on the decline. He doesn’t have a real good name on his resume, and his best win, a victory over Marquez, is very questionable. I saw Pacquiao losing both of his fights with Marquez, and that’s sad that Marquez is the best fighter on Pacquiao’s resume. And on Saturday night, Pacquiao is facing Shane Mosley, a 39-year-old fighter who is considered over-the-hill by many boxing fans.