The elite boxing writers voted Floyd Mayweather, Jr. as the top pound for pound boxer according to Yahoo! Sport. Recent boxing examiners who weren’t part of the ‘elite class’ had brought up some great points questioning the new pound for pound list (Eric Sloan, Rick Rockwell, Bill Shimizu, Dennis Guillermo).
Floyd’s recent unanimous defeat of Shane Mosley, ranked #9, on May 1st deserves much recognition but does it merit him a ranking position above Manny Pacquiao? Manny’s performance since retiring Oscar De La Hoya in December of 2008 has achieved remarkable success of historic proportions. Manny doesn’t just win his bouts, he obliterates his naturally bigger opponents.
If we analyze the pound for pound ranking according to the elite boxing writers logic, Floyd’s victories over Shane Mosley (won by UD; 46-5), Juan Manuel Marquez (won by UD; 50-4), Ricky Hatton (won by 10TKO; 43-0), and Oscar De La Hoya (won by UD; 38-4) carries more merit than Manny’s victories over Joshua Clottey (won by UD; 35-3), Miguel Cotto (won by 12TKO; 34-1), Ricky Hatton (won by 2KO; 45-1), and Oscar De La Hoya (won by 8RTD; 39-5).
Floyd’s recent victories over Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez can be argued that their performance weren’t up to par from their previous fights. Shane hardly attacked Floyd after the 2nd round. Some say that he over-trained for his fight when he didn’t take a longer break from his preparation for the Andre Berto bout. Another criticism is that Shane at 38 wasn’t the same boxer he was at 33 years old.
Floyd’s fight against Juan Manuel Marquez also drew a lot of criticism. Juan Manuel Marquez is a strong 130lb junior lightweight and his fight at the heavier weight gave a far greater advantage to Floyd who couldn’t make their agreed weight. The argument that Floyd’s performance was greater than Pacquiao’s controversial win over Juan Manuel Marquez is flawed. Marquez was a completely different boxer when fought as a welterweight (143 lbs) against a natural welterweight (146 lbs) versus his performance at featherweight (125 lbs) and super featherweight (130 lbs).
Manny’s performance against Joshua Clottey was perfect on his part even though the 33-year-old Clottey was as inactive as the older Shane Mosley’s performance against Floyd. However, Manny’s pounding of Miguel Cotto, second round knock out of Ricky Hatton, and his retiring of the 35-year-old Oscar De La Hoya would justify his place at the top of the pound for pound ranking.
The pound for pound is controversial but is the ranking a result of human nature? Like most boxing judges known for making decisions the last 10 seconds of a round; the ‘elite writers’ may recall the most recent action in boxing and that is Floyd’s recent victory. Or is it a message to Manny Pacquiao that he should compromise his stance on drug testing to fight Floyd Mayweather, Jr?
Pressures off of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)
Floyd has walked the talk on his Olympic blood test stance. It’s hard to dispute Floyd’s concern on the possible use of PEDs (performance-enhancing drugs) by Manny. Floyd’s concerns confirm that even he is amazed with what Manny has accomplished in the ring. Granted that Manny has been tested before and after his bouts but it is a known fact that urine tests aren’t as precise as a blood test. Lance Armstrong had to endure tests of a guinea pig because of his historic achievements in the Tour de France. Lance took their tests with careful consid
In this day in age, it is now expected for an athlete to be tested if he/she accomplishes a great feat after many records were broken falsely. We’ve seen how drugs have distorted baseball’s records and threatened the Olympic athlete’s credibility after many medal winning Olympians were found positive for PEDs. In all fairness to Floyd, why does Manny Pacquiao get a pass on the demanded blood tests on what could be the fight of the decade?
Manny is a great role model, his attitude earns him a great deal of respect and admiration. He is modest, entertaining, and honorable with great integrity. He represent the Filipinos very well. His recent political victory for Congress attests to his popularity with his countrymen. However, personality doesn’t cut it with realist sports fans who have been betrayed by the likable Mark McGwire, Sammy Sosa, Shane Mosley, and many other athletes. The Olympic style blood tests proposed by Floyd Mayweather is reasonable and it shouldn’t be taken as an attack on Manny’s character.
In recent news with Wladimir Klitschko/Alexander Povetkin and Andre Ward/Allan Green undergoing Olympic style testing, the sport of boxing is heading toward that direction. Many amateur boxers at the international level have endured the scrutiny of Olympic testing that Floyd is proposing. There may be some truths to Manny’s experience with giving blood tests before a fight but it is something every Olympian has to endure as part of their participation in the sport. Imagine if a country argues the same points made by the Pacquiao fans against blood tests?
However, Manny Pacquiao has stated that the negotiations didn’t fall apart because of the issue of drug tests but due to Floyd’s arrogance and ridiculous demands. Whatever it may be, boxing writers are indirectly putting the pressure on Manny Pacquiao to prove that he is the top pound for pound boxer by compromising his stance on the blood tests to make the fight of the decade or the century possible. Is it fair to put the pressure on Manny? It may not be but boxing fans are desperate for this fight to happen. The ‘elite boxing writers’ may have a cast a vote against Manny rather than a vote for Floyd.
Here are what some Kansans had to comment on Floyd’s climb to the top of the pound for pound list:
Floyd is amazing! His skills is every inspirational to up and coming boxers. – Markell Armstrong
Floyd does have great skills, but I always thought that being P4P was more than just skills. In my opinion its a combination of skills, who you fight, and the results of those fights. I wish Floyd would have stepped up his competition when he first moved up in weight. If he had done that then this argument would be pointless. I still think Manny is just above Floyd. – Tyson Buffington
He’s still undefeated…never took a beat and dominates every fight, not just his last5…so…no disagreeing here – Lenroy ‘Cam’ Thompson
