Ricky Hatton and Manny Pacquiao weren?t the only superstar boxers throwing darts on Saturday.
Reliable reports have it that Hatton won ?the opening round? over May 2 opponent Pacman in a variety of the old barroom game known as ?501.?
That?s the last round that Ricky will win because, come May 2, the leather darts flying into his body and face will be unstoppable.
But, not to be outdone, after his magnificent victory over Juan ?Baby Bull? Diaz in Houston, Pacquiao archrival Juan Manuel Marquez started tossing some darts of his own.
I don?t know if this was you might call a coinkydink but it was plain to see Golden Boy matchmaker Eric ?Gangsta? Gomez whispering into Juan Ma?s attentive ears right before Mad Mad Kellerman did the HBO post-fight interview.
I?m betting dollars to donuts that it was Gomez?s creative idea for JMM to downplay his overwhelming desire for a ring redemption in a third bout against Megamanny. Instead of speaking the plain truth, Marquez babbled on about wanting to fight the still retired Floyd Mayweather Jr. to prove who is the world?s best, pound for pound.
Actually, no matter what the wheezing Kellerman says, a bout now between a returning Pretty Boy and Juan Ma would only be a battle for second place in the P4P Sweepstakes. Don’t blame Slapsie Maxie, he’s a role player following his assignment as verbal provacteur.
As much as certain people resent it, losing a tavern game of dart tossing to Hatton, who practically sleeps in saloons, did not drop Manny from his perch as the champion of champions.
So herewith Michael Marley?s No Arguments Allowed, Pound For Pound Best List (and I did not select the fighters by aiming a dart):
1?MANNY PACQUIAO?I notice the Marquez advocates, and there are many even outside of Mexico, never want to chat about the FOUR TIMES Pacquaio put Juan Ma on the seats of his boxing pantalones. ?Nuff said, Pac is The Man and I will use the hoary, old you can?t be the man unless you neat the man bromide because it fits.
2?JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ?On my personal pugilistic pedestal, Curtis Cokes was the best counterpuncher I?ve laid eyes on. JMM may be boxing?s slickest and most effective counterpuncher of all time in any weight category. For him, being age 35 is just a number!
3?BERNARD HOPKINS?He was looking for a free pass, an easy victory in his farewell fight and now he?s locking in on cruiserweight champ and plucky Pole Tomasz Adamek. Hoppy makes list primarily on long ago achievements because Kelly Pavlik is at bottom of Top 10 or 12 and because Joe Calzaghe is in retirement, however temporary. To beat Adamek is simple for Hopsack because he can just adapt Bad Chad Dawson’s script. Beating Adamek adds zero to Hoppy;s legacy other than cruiser crown but it is smart choice by sagacious veteran.
4?MIGUEL COTTO?He still belongs in upper echelon, no doubt, especially with scandalous cloud over loss to Antonio Margarito. Nevada commission investigation on that fight was extensive, went almost five minutes.
5?PAUL WILLIAMS?Don?t see too many problems, other than selling tickets in Vegas, for his upcoming date with Turtle Shell Winky Wright. Tall Paul is highly avoided and you?ll never hear Bernie Hopsing calling out his name or that of next two fearsome fighters.
6?MIKKEL KESSLER and BAD CHAD DAWSON?I know, I know I focus on heavier weight classes too much. So what? Hopkins doesn?t even want to be in same room with either of these two so let?s hope sometime soon they fight each other because it would be a real treat.
7?ANTONIO MARGARITO?Some may think I?m lowballing TJ Tornado but he knew goofy trainer was cheating so he co-signed the fistic fraud. I?m wondering if way he lost to Mosley indicates his downhill ski trop has begun.
8?JOAN GUZMAN–He dropped ball big-time in not making Campbell fight weight but, after Soupy crucified the Dominican, he did same thing against Funeka. Outside of JM Marquez, name me one other lightweight you are certain beats Guzrun? Come on, I?m waiting.
9?ISRAEL VAZQUEZ?How many bullets can this great warrior have left? He and Raffa Marquez need to stay away from each other before we wind up with a double funeral.
10. KELLY PAVLIK, VERNON FORREST and SHANE MOSLEY?If Pavlik steers clear of King Artie Abraham, he may lose place on list. Sure, Arum can throw Sergio Mora in there if he wants but Pavlik deserves stronger comp. Forrest is still quite formidable and Mosley gets this honorable mention for what he did to Maragrito.
Hey, what about the heavyweights? Nah, forget I brought it up.
