I have gone on the record before and said that in my opinion, Manny Pacquiao is the greatest fighter of all time. This is just an opinion, and it’s open to dispute and debate. People have their opinions and some agree with mine, and some do not.
I do know this much, when you look at the 1970/80’s and then the 1980’90’s the first two names that come to mind in boxing are Muhammad Ali, and Mike Tyson. When you look from 2000 and on, the king of the hill is Manny Pacquiao.
Muhammad Ali, Mike Tyson, and Manny Pacquiao. These are the three names that stick out the most in boxing since the 1970’s until now. Many times when a boxing scribe or historian is asked who they think the greatest of all time is, they will respond that it’s a matter of which era you are asking about.
Of course we all know of and have seen Muhammad Ali amaze boxing fans inside of the ring. His classics with Jor Fraizer, Ken Norton, and George Foreman are written in the history books. Then of course comes in Mike Tyson. Iron Mike dominated the 90’s. He beat many of his opponents before the first punch was even thrown. His mental game was just as good as his physical game.
Manny Pacquiao took the torch in the early 2000’s and has since to look back. His epic victories over Mexican Hall of Fame fighters, and his victories over much bigger fighters have cemented his name into the Hall of Fame. The very second he’s eligible he goes in to the Hall. Pacquiao’s 8 world titles and his outside of the ring accomplishments will give the historians plenty to write about.
Ali, Tyson, and Pacquiao, three names that every boxing fan has heard of and more importantly, it’s three names that non boxing fans have heard of.
Mississippians know what legends are all about. This state has plenty of sports athletes that are legends. San Francisco 49er great Jerry Rice. Chicago Bears all time great Walter Payton and GB Packers Super Bowl winning QB Brett Favre, all from Mississippi. Steve “Air” McNair God rest his soul is another great player from Mississippi. This state has delivered legends to the sports world.
In boxing when you ask most fans who’s the greatest that ever lived? I am guessing many of them will say Ali, Tyson, and now Manny Pacquiao.
There are a lot of really good fighters that have made their mark in boxing. There are a lot of great fighters that have made their mark, but there are only a handful of elite fighters. An elite fighter is a fighter that has defeated legends. Elite fighters become household names. Elite fighters become heard of by non boxing fans. Elite fighters take it to a whole new level. Pacquiao, Tyson, and Muhammad Ali all three have done just that.
