DALLAS, TX – Promoter Bob Arum was holding court over a post fight press conference Saturday night, waiting for his rock star fighter Manny Pacquiao to enter the room packed with about 400 media members.
They were there to hear his thoughts on his dismantling of Antonio Margarito about a half hour earlier inside Cowboys Stadium in front of 41,000 fans.
“Best ever,” said Arum. I” didn’t see Ray Robinson or Henry Armstrong live or in person. But he’s better than Sugar Ray Leonard, or Muhammad Ali,” said the 79-year-old promoter who promoted 25 Ali fights.
“His hand speed alone is impressive. But his accuracy and strength are phenomenal,” he added.
Opinions are interesting for the sake of conversation. But none of it is official. If Arum feels that way, fine, good for him and he might even be correct.
I like to hear the opinions of Harold Lederman, Bill Gallo and Bert Sugar and I value them.
Lederman says it would be a stretch to say Pacquiao ranks above Robinson, Leonard or Ali. “He’s a special fighter. But you are talking about different eras and you can’t compare them,” said Lederman. “Arum is doing his job. He’s his promoter,” he added.
It has been a long time since anyone has come close to knocking “Sugar” Ray Robinson off his perch as the No. 1 Pound for Pound fighter of all time.
It appears Pacquiao has a few fights left in him and one grand super fight against Floyd Mayweather that may decide things once and for all.
As long as he continues to fight the final history won’t be written. But soon after it will and I believe history will be very kind to Manny Pacquiao.
