At no matter what age you saw Floyd Mayweather for the first time, whether in person when he was a near infant or on television when he was in his early twenties as he closed in on his first world title, you could clearly see the potential of greatness in him. The Grand Rapids native was born and bred to be a fighter and outside of the God-given gifts bestowed upon him he was also schooled and instilled with several nuances of the game.
On October 3rd, 1998 Mayweather would defeat crafty veteran Genero Hernandez in resounding fashion and captured the WBC Jr. Lightweight championship of the world, his first as a professional. Two months later Floyd would blow out dangerous Angel Manfredy in two rounds, serving notice to the boxing world that a star had truly arrived.
As the years went by Mayweather continued to impress, winning multiple titles as he rose in weight and defeated a wide array of foes in various forms. All the while Floyd proved himself to be one of the most complete champions in the sport, showing impeccable defense and undeniable talent. On June 25th, 2005 Mayweather would batter Arturo Gatti over six one-sided rounds while a month later Bernard Hopkins? incredible run as middleweight champion would come to an end by way of split decision to upstart Jermain Taylor. That turn of events seemed to solidify the opinion of many that Mayweather had indeed planted himself as the world?s best fighter, pound for pound.
Over the next few years Mayweather would continue to win, albeit not always against whom the public preferred him to fight, and his claim as the world?s premier fighter held much weight. Floyd would surprisingly walk away from the sport following his December 2007 win over Ricky Hatton at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and the landscape of the sport would soon change dramatically.
Hailing from General Santos City in the Philippines, Manny Pacquiao had stamped himself as one of the sport?s most exciting fighters and was soon set to take his star status to a completely different level. In the 2008 calendar year Pacquiao would defeat brave Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez in a riveting rematch at 130 pounds and then proceed to rise in weight on two successive occasions, as he first bludgeoned rugged WBC Lightweight champion David Diaz over nine punishing rounds before battering Oscar De La Hoya in shocking fashion and forcing the living legend to retire on his stool after the 8th.
In 2009 Pacquiao was equally dominant, laying tremendous beatings on Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, two men who were looked at as serious threats heading into their bouts with the Filipino due to their rugged attack and presumed advantages in physical strength. There seemed to be little debate at the time as to who was the world?s most accomplished fighter, as Pacquiao?s run up in weight and through a credible list of opponents was unmatched. Pacquiao?s last fight, a clear decision over Joshua Clottey at Dallas Cowboys Stadium on March 13th, wasn?t as electrifying but there were still aspects to the performance that could be appreciated.
The public view again changed earlier this month, however, as Floyd Mayweather Jr. defeated Shane Mosley in a masterful performance over twelve rounds in a bout that had been anticipated for many years. In the contest Mayweather overcame a shaky second round in which he was rocked by a straight right hand before controlling the remaining ten rounds with his speed and accuracy. Mayweather had returned to the sport with a whitewash decision over Juan Manuel Marquez in September of last year yet the Mosley fight was the exact scenario he needed to stir up the pound for pound debate.
Earlier this week Yahoo Sports released their revised pound for pound rankings, a list compiled by 33 respected members of the media, and Mayweather now finds himself perched atop of the list with Pacquiao now at number two. The shakeup in the Yahoo rankings has caused great reaction amongst those close to the sport, some who are in agreement and others refuting the new standings.
Wanting to get a better perspective of what everyone feels on the matter I reached out to several people intertwined in the boxing world, including fighters, trainers, members of the media and more. I simply asked people their opinion on what they feel constitutes a ?Pound for pound? fighter and who they feel is the best fighter alive today. The feedback I received was overwhelming and varying, as this is certainly an issue that can be argued back and forth until night?s end.
Look below to read the first twenty opinions from those weighing in with their thoughts?
Kieren Mulvaney, ESPN and Reuters correspondent? ?On one level, the definition of the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world is a fairly obvious one: If every fighter were the same size, who is the one man you would expect to emerge victorious against all the others? It’s why, for example, I doubt that I would ever vote for Wladimir Klitschko on my Top Ten list, even though several other members of the Yahoo! Sports poll do. Too much of Klitschko’s undeniable success is predicated on his size: He uses it very effectively, sure, but if he were 30 pounds lighter and a few inches shorter, would he still be as dominant even within his own division?
Of course, it can’t simply be based on conjecture. Achievement plays a role. Proving the point by knocking off other highly-rated fighters, or by fighting in a couple of weight divisions, helps, as does a lengthy career of excellence. I have finally dropped Bernard Hopkins from my list, but he had been in there for years, partly from beating other highly-rated fighters, but also for a long career of excellence, being middleweight champion for years, and then stepping up to light-heavyweight to take the crown there. Even losing to Joe Calzaghe didn’t remove him from the list, because Calzaghe was also a P4P entrant and the fight was close. Similarly, Juan Manuel Marquez and (more tenuously) Shane Mosley remain on my list, despite hugely lopsided defeats in their most recent fights, because of who beat them.
Conversely, although he has been on my list only for a few months, Sergio Martinez is high on that list: He had a very close fight with Paul Williams, another P4P entrant, and he is now the legitimate #1 in two weight divisions. He is clearly a man who deserves to be on any P4P list.
So, based on the above criteria, who is number one? There are, of course, only two contenders. One is Manny Pacquiao, who has demonstrated his qualifications in the best way possible: Marching through the weight divisions and utterly annihilating the competition on the way. The other of course is Floyd Mayweather, whose sublime skills are without peer. I gave him absolutely zero credit for beating Marquez, even though the Mexican was highly rated, for all the obvious reasons. But his fight against Shane Mosley showcased everything we wanted to see about him: Against another solid P4P contender, he recovered from being staggered, seized control of the fight and was utterly dominant. The scale of his dominance, combined with his previous record, means that Mayweather has now edged ahead on my personal list. But however you have them, it is clear that Mayweather and Pacquiao are 1A and 1B, or 1B and 1A. There is, of course, only one way to settle it, and hopefully they will put aside the nonsense and make it happen in November.?
Billy Irwin, former title contender from Ontario, Canada… ?I would say pound for pound is obviously someone who has moved up in weight and continued his dominance by beating the best in each division. I consider Floyd to be the best pound for pound. He beat Hatton and Oscar before Manny and nobody has beat Mosley like that except for Vernon Forest and that was a style that has always troubled Mosley. If this is a basic discussion about who would win between Floyd and Manny I wouuld say Floyd and relatively with not much of a problem.?
Tim Starks, writer and owner of one of boxing?s hottest blogs, The Queensbury Rules… ?The best pound-for-pound fighter is the man who has, above all, proven it by repeatedly beating top quality competition. I know some people like to use a kind of rough estimate, what I call the “eyeball test,” and that’s part of the equation. But me personally, if I’m going to do something subjective like try to estimate who the pound-for-pound king is, I want it to be as objective and well-reasoned as I can make it. To me, it’s not a very reliable measure of how good a fighter is to sit around and think, “Oh, I bet Fighter X would beat Fighter Y, so he’s better.” Imagination isn’t enough. People thought Jorge Linares and Juan Manuel Lopez were two young fighters who could someday be the pound-for-pound king, and maybe they will still, but both encountered setbacks in recent fights where they had an unexpectedly rough go of it, so some of that talk has died down. Thinking someone has the most talent is meaningless until they prove it against the biggest challenges.
It’s a closer call than it used to be, but I think Manny Pacquiao is the best fighter in the world today. Floyd Mayweather just scored a win against Shane Mosley that rivals any of Pacquiao’s best wins, but Pacquiao’s body of work — both in the last two years and in his career to date — gives him the edge. Try this: Rank all of Pacquiao’s best wins in order, then do the same with Mayweather, and compare Pacquiao’s #2 win to Mayweather’s #2 win, Pacquiao’s #3 win to Mayweather’s #3 win, etc. You’ll find that in almost every case, Pacquiao fought men who placed higher on pound-for-pound lists or in divisional rankings at the time than the men Mayweather fought. In a one-on-one fight, I probably lean toward Mayweather. But that’s just my imagination. Until Mayweather proves he’s better than Pacquiao in the ring — or by beating a little bit better competition — then Pacquiao is still #1.?
Shane George, Light Heavyweight contender looking to get back in the mix… ?The P4P ranking is simple in my opinion. You take a fighter, and put him in each weight class. As if that’s his natural weight. If you think that fighter can beat everyone in each weight class in all of the divisions then that’s your P4P guy. Its not about who’s the most exciting fighter in the world.
With that being said. I think Floyd Mayweather Jr. Is the best P4P fighter in the world. It doesn’t matter who he fights. Everyone has a game plan, and everyone ends up fighting Mayweather’s fight. You can’t say the same for everyone else. Just my humble opinion.?
Tim Dahlberg, Associated Press Sports Columnist… ?The pound for pound description originated as a way to compare fighters from different weight classes, and is even more intriguing now in a time where heavyweights don’t dominate boxing. I think you look for the usual things; record, knockout ratio, ring generalship. I also look for a fighter who is willing to lay it on the line when it really matters, one who is not afraid to close a show instead of merely winning a fight.
Right now I have to go with Floyd Mayweather Jr., after what he did to another very good welterweight, Shane Mosley. I haven’t always been a fan of Mayweather’s fights but I think he stepped it up against Mosley and I find it hard to find anyone out there, Pacquiao included, who I think can beat him at 147.?
Frankie ?El Gato? Figueroa, Jr. Welterweight contender last seen sparring with Nate Campbell to help the Jacksonville native get ready for his HBO matchup with Victor Ortiz… ?P4P is someone who is an exciting fighter and are able to beat fighters that are in their prime.
Today Floyd is the best; he’s beating everyone?.
Cameron Dunkin, manager to the likes of Nonito Donaire, Kelly Pavlik, Timothy Bradley and others? ?I think you have to consider several things. Of course talent, skill and overall ability. I think you have to figure in who they fought, who they beat and how they beat them? As you know it’s an opinion poll so there is no right or wrong way, that’s just what I consider. In my opinion Manny Pacquiao. He has totally dominated his competition.?
Curtis ‘Showtime’ Stevens, Super Middleweight contender from New York with a brutal punch… ?A fighter who doesn’t care who they fight and still win.
Pacquiao because he doesn’t give too s**** who he fights and he was smaller and moved up in weight and is still f****** people up.?
Dan Horgan, former owner of The Boxing Herald and writer for The Sweet Science… ?For today’s elite, the pound-for-pound throne can only be achieved by staying a step ahead of every other fighter on earth. Any steps backwards — losses, layoffs, lack of competition — allow another hungry pug to take up and take the crown. So the man who gets ahead through consistent big wins and never relents in his dominance deserves the title of world’s best fighter.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. is today’s best pound-for-pound fighter. He’s taken out countless big names in multiple weight classes and done it with ease. It’s almost unfair to disqualify Manny Pacquiao from the number one spot because of his 2005 loss to Erik Morales, but because Mayweather has been perfect, Pacuqiao’s defeat puts him in the number-two position.?
Sid El Harrak, Welterweight prospect who is training in Texas for his return to the ring… ?To be called pound for pound best fighter in the world I feel you need to be able to create offense off of your defense. Fighters today are doing one of two things; they?re either attacking or defending (Joshua Clotty, Manny Pacquiao, Winky Wright, and Paul Williams). That?s a one trick pony. A fighter that can use one?s aggression against them is a great fighter to me (Floyd Mayweather, James Toney, Bernard Hopkins). All 3 are well rounded fighters. Manny, Paul, Winky, and Joshua can’t fight going backwards. Floyd knocked Ricky Hatton out with a check hook stepping backwards. When Winky Joshua, and Manny have their hands high they are not looking to punch. James, Bernard, and Floyd will roll and counter, pull and counter, slip and counter.
Floyd Mayweather Jr is pound for pound the best fighter in the world. We all know what he’s accomplished, so there’s no point getting into his history. You can go into any boxing gyms throughout the world and you have kids, adults, fighters on all levels trying to imitate what he is doing in the ring. They?re in the mirror working on their pull. They?re sparring trying to roll their shoulder. Now where, and who wants to copy the ugly things Manny is doing in the ring? What does Manny do? Does he set people up? Does he use an effective jab??
Julian Kasdin, contributor for www.MaxBoxing.com… ?In my mind what makes a fighter the pound for pound best is a combination of several things. Firstly it is a willingness to fight the best on a consistent basis. Be it in one division or multiple divisions, staking claim to being the best by fighting and beating the best is paramount.
Secondly, you need to leave no doubt that you’re on top. Controversial decisions will not help your argument to being the pound for pound king. Convincingly beating your foe, be it by decision or stoppage, validates that you are indeed better than your opposition.
As to who I think is the pound for pound best, the answer is Manny Pacquiao. Yes Floyd beat Oscar and Ricky first, but Manny beat both more impressively, and Ricky had already shown vulnerability at 147.
Wins over Cotto and Mosley are comparable, with the deciding factor in their resumes probably being fights versus Ledwaba, Barrera, Morales and Marquez at 122-130 versus fights against Castillo, Corrales, Sanchez and Hernandez at 130-135. Both have solid resumes, but Pacquiao has fought more great fighters.?
Emmanuel Augustus, former title contender who has fought a who?s who of opponents over the years? ?It’s the fact that a fighter has moved up from weight to weight winning, that’s what makes him or her the p4p best.
I don’t have a best because i just like to watch good fights. i guess that i am a little old school like that.?
Joe Quiambao, Matchmaker for Dibella Entertainment… ?The best fighter pound for pound should be a fighter that can take his fighting to any weight class and beat everyone and anyone.
I think it’s Manny Pacquiao with Floyd a close second.Early in Pacquaio’s career, he was a basic fast Jab-Straight Left hand bomb type of fighter and it was enough to get over with the little fighters. Now, since he is fighting bigger fighters, he had to implement more boxing, and more types of punches/combinations in his arsenal which helps him catches a lot of the bigger boxers off guard which is why he is knocking these fighters out. He is not the same fighter we first seen come up on HBO. He really stepped up his game because if he tried to do what he did at the lighter weight classes, he would get blitzed. Watching him now, he is moving, throwing right hooks, body shots, uppercuts, etc and made himself with the help of Freddy Roach to an all around fighter while maintaining his speed/Energy level/hunger….Funny thing is, you could say the same thing about Floyd too. Since Pacquiao agreed to the 14 day drug test, hopefully they can come to an agreement with the percentage split and put an end to this discussion…..?
Don House, trainer to the likes of Joan Guzman, Jorge Linares, and Zahir Raheem in years past… ??Pound for pound? to me means ?a fighter that takes on all comers?, that can lose and still come back and become champ. Not a fighters that?s has been manufacture protected and placed in the right fights by clever promoters. I do understand boxing is not only a sport, it is a business which should be called ?Boxing Sports Entertainment?. Its not about that fighter that works his way to the top anymore. I heard a promoter say one time to me ?If it does not make dollars it does not make cents?. I am not knocking the sport cause I love the sport of boxing, just wish it was fair to all fighters. But if I have to say who I think the best pound for pound fighter today is, I would have to say Mayweather for his commitment for the sport, his work ethics in the gym and for his performance in the ring.?
?Iceman? John Scully, former title contender and Connecticut based trainer who has worked with the likes of Chad Dawson, Jose Antonio Rivera, and Matt Godfrey over the years… ?I?ve always felt that the pound for pound best fighter in the world was the guy who, if everyone weighed exactly the same, were in the same weight class and were made to be comparable in size, would win if they all fought each other. I would say right now it is clearly a case of Floyd as # 1 and Manny right behind as # 2…Floyd has shown me that his ability to not get hit even when standing right in front of his opponents puts him a cut above Manny and everyone else.?
Michael Marley, former New York Post columnist and current day Boxing Examiner ?Best pound for pound is literal, who is the superior fighter across all titles, all weight classes. Pacquiao took the throne which was vacated when Little Floyd had his little retirement. Boxing, like nature, abhors a vacuum. Pacquiao destroyed Oscar and Hatton whereas Mayweather merely beat them. It took Manny to belt them into retirement so he is the man. Only way Floyd regains P4P crown is by beating Pacquiao.?
Kenneth Bouhairie, U.S. Correspondent, Boxing News (UK) ?I place a fighter’s body of work over everything else. Skills are important but secondary. In fact, that is the crux of the matter. It’s easier to look highly skilled against lesser opponents, thus, a fighter’s resume should be the primary factor considered, followed by his skill and then his more recent conquests.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. His win over Shane Mosley, and the dominant manner in which he did it – coming back from adversity to pitch a near shutout – sealed it for me. Prior to that win, I ranked Manny Pacquiao ahead of him. I’ll take one win over Mosley, even this version, over Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey. Yes, I know Cotto beat Mosley but that wasn’t the same Miguel Pacquiao fought. In addition, Manny’s two other recent wins (Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton) were first manhandled by Floyd. Manny’s had a fine run in the lower divisions but so did Floyd, who went undefeated against a who’s who of junior lightweights and lightweights. Plus, Floyd is the best technician in the sport today. Doing it that impressively against a fighter of Mosley’s ilk speaks volumes.?
Kaliesha West, undefeated female bantamweight… ?Ambition, heart, charisma, and skill create a defined prospect. Although after being crowned champ from fighting the best, you remain among the top fighters throughout the years.- a unique individual who takes risks, and comes out on top.
Floyd Mayweather. Definitely not one of the best role models, but he distinctly displays throughout every fight that he knows what he’s doing. He has tricks and tactics that most don’t even know about; therefore how can they beat what they don’t understand? His skills are beyond the average boxer. He’s the best definition of a great boxer-puncher. He displays not just the science, but the ART of boxing, followed by versatility!?
Robert Benitez, Jr. featherweight hopeful from New York also involved in the entertainment business…
?I feel what makes a fighter pound for pound the best in the world is a track record of them facing the best fighters in their divisions, and putting on great performances. That’s when the people have a high demand to watch that fighter more.I believe the fighter should prove he the best by fighting the best. Overall, I feel a fighter who has impressive victories with a busy schedule of meaningful fights will earn him the status of pound for pound.
I would have to go with Pacquiao because of how he has stepped up in weight and defeated great fighters. Also, he has seem to be more active than most other big name fighters, as well as bringing some sensation back into the sport.?
Kili-Scott Madrid, former undefeated welterweight prospect who can now be found gracing ESPN’s airwaves as a participant in the World Series of Poker… ?Fighters that fight the best fighters out there. Fighters that skip weight classes just to make a great fight happen and win while doing it. Guys that fight and beat the best and don’t care about an ABC Title are fighters that are considered P4P. This is the mark of a true champion.
Hands down Manny Pacquio is the P4P champ because of his great run in the recent years. I’m a Floyd fan but its hard to give that title to someone who only fights once a year.?
First round tallies Mayweather 10 Pacquiao 8 Undecided 2
Thanks to those who took the time to participate and as well to those who read through the list. At the moment I am still receiving much feedback from people in the sport on the subject and the second and third group of opinions will be released later in the week….
