THE aborted Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown denied boxing fans from the world all over the chance to see who between the two boxers is the best in this generation.
Both have arguments to make but like all other pieces of history, they will be judged not today. Their proper places in the echelon of boxing greats will be determined long after both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jnr had already hanged their gloves and memoirs had already been written.
They will be judged by the body of works, the fights they made, the competition they faced and the longevity of their careers.
No boxer has ever been named all time great by capturing a world title and losing it in his first defense.
Seldom has one been considered by accomplishing his feats in one weight class except in the heavyweight division.
That is why many were disgusted when the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight went down the drain on the basis of insinuation and unfounded accusation of drug use.
While I still stand by the argument that history will be ultimate judge who between Mayweather and Pacquiao is the best in their generation, I will bet the Filipino whirlwind of a puncher will be among the first of equals in the welterweight division.
Most boxing scribes today have already been making their case that Manny’s name will be high up in the discussion on all time boxing greats.
Consider the following boxing greats who toiled the welterweight division: Henry Armstrong, Pipino Cuevas, Thomas Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, Sugar Ray Robinson, Jose Napoles and even Roberto Duran.
These were boxers who held titles in different weight classes and fought the very best in their division.
For all the hype about Floyd’s immaculate record and superior boxing skills, he really never fought a quality welterweight. True, he disposed off Oscar dela Hoya.
But de la Hoya was already a shadow of his old self and they fought at 154 pounds.
Looking at the career record of Floyd, he only fought two legitimate welterweights: Zab Judah and Carlos Baldomir. Not exactly the quality of boxers you will trade your baseball card collections for their autographs.
Manny Pacquiao, because he only fought twice so far within the welterweight limit, has still many fights left for him to be considered in the discussion. But three more victories against quality welterweight opponents and he should be locked, if not within the fringes of, in their company.
But the argument as to who is the best among today’s welterweights would have been settled had the fight between Manny and Floyd push through.
The upside of that aborted fight would have also been the best fighter in this generation.
That is I why I will still hesitate to name Pacquiao as among the all time best in the welterweight division.
Against a prime Sugar Ray Leonard, Pacquiao would have troubles far greater than what he faced with Juan Manuel Marquez.
But then again, such premise is a non-argument. For you cannot pit one boxer against another boxer from another generation.
But the body of fights Manny did in his still flourishing career will certainly qualify him to be considered as among the all time boxing greats – across all weights.
After all, nobody has accomplished what he has done so far.
Pitted against Floyd’s achievements, Manny is nothing but spectacular.
Floyd could argue his hearts out but the Filipino boxing champion is several cuts above him in the totality of their feats.
