By Chester Rivers: 30 years from now will anyone care if Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao never fought? Even if it has been determined that Mayweather Jr. is solely at fault, will boxing historians dismiss all his accomplishments? The answer is a resounding NO! Throughout boxing history there are many situations where a fighter that history deems as great is accused of ducking a fighter that many view as average, yet it has not changed our view of the great fighter.
Have you ever heard of Charley Burley? Don’t be embarrassed many have not heard of him. It wasn’t until I started during research for this article until I began to research his history thoroughly. Burley was the Colored welterweight and middleweight champion during the reign of the great Sugar Ray Robinson. Burley possessed speed, power in both hands and nimble feet. He is the one man that some boxing historians would have given an even chance of defeating Robinson had the two ever fought. These two men never fought and you can lay blame a the feet of Robinson.
After watching Burley fight Robinson quoted, “I’m too pretty to fight him.” These are the words of the man many consider the best fighter of all time. Does this information change how you view Robinson’s place in history? Of course not and why should it? Avoiding a fighter like Burley that has high risk and low rewards isn’t cowardly it’s smart business.
Do you have respect for Sugar Ray Leonard? Leonard won a gold medal in the 76 Olympic Games, he defeated some of the greats in boxing history (Duran, Hearns, Hagler and Benitez) and he won titles in 5 different weight classes. Do you know the name of the man he ducked? Give up? Research the name Aaron “the Hawk” Pryor. He was a junior welterweight and a bad man if I may say. Powerful, speedy, aggressive, arrogant and blood thirsty are adjectives that would accurately describe Pryor’s style. He is the man many credited for Leonard’s jump from 140 to 147 pound division. History credits Leonard for his accomplishments but only view Pryor as good.
Now let’s compare the careers of Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao. Mayweather is an Olympic Bronze medalist, defeated at least 20+ world champions, won titles in 5 different weight classes (4 were against the lineal champion of the division), will probably retire undefeated and the highest paid athlete in history.
Pacquiao won 8 titles in 8 different weight classes (most were not against the lineal champion and one the super featherweight Ring title vs Marco Antonio Barrera was honorary not sanctioned), knocked out in 3 of his losses (2 against fighters of far less quality and skills) and will likely be forever linked to the allegations of performance enhancing drugs during an era were PEDs were prevalent in most major sports. After viewing both resumes for yourself which fighter do you believe is great and which one is good but nothing special?
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