I recently had occasion to review the tape of Thomas Hearns’ two-round destruction of Roberto Duran. As I marveled at the right hands that would eventually score three knockdowns, I found myself wondering about how fighters ascend to legend status.
By the time Hearns and Duran met on June 15, 1984, “Manos de Piedra” had been a legend for more than a decade while Hearns became one a split second after stopping Duran with perhaps the best right cross he ever threw. By smashing the Chin of Stone to smithereens, Hearns’ right fist achieved final certification as one of boxing history’s best weapons. But even in the moment of his greatest triumph “The Hit Man” took time out to pay tribute to his thoroughly defeated opponent by saying that Duran remained a legend and that he still had many good fights in him, a prediction that proved to be correct. How strong must Duran’s standing have been to have a man who conquered him so decisively bestow such accolades?
Such are the fruits of immortality.
According to the American Heritage dictionary, a legend is “an unverified popular story handed down from earlier times,” “a romanticized or popularized myth of modern times” and “a person who achieves legendary fame.” Duran and Hearns certainly fit those descriptions, though the veracity of their deeds can’t be questioned because they have been so well documented. Boxing’s highest post-career honor awaits Duran as he is about to be inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame while Hearns will receive the same treatment five full years after his final fight takes place.
One of the barometers that determine whether a fighter is a legend is whether he can draw a crowd no matter how old he is or the level of opposition he is fighting. Just because he is who he is, he can continue to make money just by stepping between the ropes and giving the best effort he can muster. Even if his skills are all but evaporated the paying audience will give him the benefit of the doubt and leave the building feeling satisfied. Should he lose, the fans will grant their forgiveness because he had earned their unshakable respect years earlier. Besides, the fact that he is still viable enough to compete makes those of similar age feel good about themselves, that their dreams can still be attained, that they can still be contributing members of society and that they are not over the hill.
This two-part essay will tackle not one, but a pair of questions: First, who among today’s best fighters either already have or will someday qualify as a legend and second, is it even possible for today’s crop to gain the same status as their predecessors?
First things first. I used Ring Magazine’s top 10 pound-for-pound list as of May 21 as my guide and the following is strictly one man’s opinion of whether each has, or will, join the Legend’s Club. But before I do that, I will address the case of one man who serves as an example of a present-day fighter who has already secured a unique place among the immortals.
Arturo Gatti: I won’t need a crystal ball to predict what the raging debate will be five full years after “Thunder’s” retirement – is Gatti a Hall of Famer? If one looks at numbers alone, Gatti falls far short of the mark. In his 17 most notable fights, Gatti is just 10-7 and that hardly is the ledger of a Hall-worthy fighter. Should his name appear on the International Boxing Hall of Fame ballot, I will withhold my check mark.
But what isn’t in dispute is that Gatti is a legend, and that is why I believe that he will earn enough check marks to not only be elected, but be elected on the first ballot. Gatti is this era’s prime example of a “Bulletproof Fighter.” Because he has given so much of himself fight after fight for year after year, his long and meritorious service has rendered him immune to the consequences of losing.
This was never more in evidence than in 1998, when he lost back-to-back-to-back fights to Ivan Robinson and Angel Manfredy. Almost any other fighter would have lost the good graces of HBO following the first defeat, much less the third. But because every fight was saturated with action and drama, Gatti was invited back onto American boxing’s most coveted stage without a second thought.
Gatti rewarded their faith by producing the new century’s definitive blood-and-guts trilogy with Micky Ward over a 13-month span in 2002 and 2003. HBO is hopeful that Gatti will deliver again July 14 when he meets “Contender” star Alfonso Gomez despite coming off defeats to Floyd Mayweather and Carlos Baldomir. That he lost both of those fights in lopsided fashion further illustrates his unique status in the sport.
Adding to the melodrama is that Ward – with whom Gatti will forever be linked as an opponent – will serve as Gatti’s chief second. “Thunder” recently ended his association with James “Buddy” McGirt, the man credited for reviving his career following his TKO loss to Oscar de la Hoya. Who would have thought that a “Rocky III” situation would present itself? Two onetime opponents joining forces to achieve a common goal, though Gomez bears no resemblance – either in appearance or temperament – to the hostile and menacing Clubber Lang.
But I digress. The point is that no matter who Gatti fights, Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall will be packed with passionate fans hoping to see Gatti unleash his signature left hook just one more time. And that, my friends, is the stuff of legend.
Is there anyone on Ring’s “Terrific Ten” that will go down in lore like Gatti? Let’s take a look:
Floyd Mayweather: “The Pretty Boy” is many things – spectacularly wealthy, full of personality and in most experts’ opinions the best fighter pound-for-pound in the sport today. He carries a perfect 38-0 (24 KO) record, has captured titles in five weight classes and is a shoo-in Hall of Famer. Thanks to his victory over De La Hoya, the artistic success of HBO’s “De La Hoya-Mayweather 24/7” and the record 2.15 million pay-per-view buys, Mayweather is at his peak in terms of name recognition among mainstream sports fans.
But the question today is whether he will be the type of fighter who will be remembered fondly when this era’s greatest fighters are discussed. For Mayweather, his current situation represents a second chance.
Mayweather’s best opportunity to establish himself as a legend took place nine years earlier when he rightfully was named Ring’s 1998 Fighter of the Year. He earned that distinction by stopping respected WBC super featherweight champion Genaro Hernandez and charismatic contender Angel Manfredy in his final two outings. Back then, Mayweather talked of challenging Joe Louis’ record for title defenses in a single division and there were few people who doubted that he had the talent – and the time – to try it. The 21-year-old Mayweather was boxing’s youngest champion at the time and his potential seemed limitless. After solid campaigns in 1999 and 2000 the talk of superstardom peaked again when he smoked Diego Corrales in January 2001.
But injuries, a host of out-of-the-ring problems and two difficult fights with Jose Luis Castillo for the WBC lightweight title robbed Mayweather of the critical momentum he needed to shatter the glass ceiling that separates most boxers from mainstream acclaim. In ensuing years, Mayweather the fighter turned into Mayweather the businessman. For too long, “The Pretty Boy” followed the Roy Jones model by taking on the easiest possible opponents for the most possible money instead of fighting men who the boxing public perceived as challenging such as Kostya Tszyu, Ricky Hatton and Antonio Margarito. Like Jones, Mayweather kept his perfect record as well as his ability to cash steady paychecks from HBO, and like Jones he didn’t follow his bold words with action in terms of signing on the bottom line and stepping in the ring against the very best on a consistent basis.
Is he a legend? Not if he retires now.
For years, Mayweather saw himself as deserving of the same perks as the Golden Four of Leonard, Hearns, Duran and Hagler because he believed supernatural talent alone equals money. Before his fight with Baldomir, Mayweather went as far as to say he was the greatest fighter who ever lived, a claim that brought universal scorn from historians, especially in light of his dominant but cautious performances between the ropes.
Mayweather earned much scorn from fans and media when he refused to fight Antonio Margarito during a time when the T.J. Tornado was perceived to be at his peak. There is no doubt that man to man, Mayweather wasn’t afraid to fight Margarito, but his unwavering reluctance created the impression that he was. It didn’t matter that Mayweather would have been heavily favored to win had they met, the fact was that he was dead set against ever making the fight. By putting money before history, he placed a giant cloud over his legacy and the resulting hostility from many fans will make Mayweather’s job much more difficult.
While the “Pretty Boy” will never be boxing’s G.O.A.T., the victory over De La Hoya has lifted Mayweather’s profile to its highest level yet – and it’s up to him to chart where he goes from here. If he follows through with his promise to retire, then Mayweather will achieve respect for his accomplishments but not the special brand of love and respect fans bestow on their legends. If he chooses to continue, however, he may not gain the love of many more fans, but he can make sure he will never be dismissed from any conversations about who was the very best of his era.
A rematch with De La Hoya is Mayweather’s preference because of the guaranteed eight-figure paycheck, and because he will be the defending champion he may get at least purse parity with “The Golden Boy,” though as the promoter De La Hoya will still gross far more money. But the way to become a true legend is to accept challenges against threatening foes and come out on top. If Mayweather follows up with back-to-back victories over Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto he will have a stronger argument to make when it comes time for historians to determine whether he is a legend.
Manny Pacquiao: “Pac Man” is already a god-like figure in the Philippines and he may well have surpassed Gabriel “Flash” Elorde as the best fighter his country has ever produced. It is difficult to believe that the 28-year-old Pacquiao has been a championship level fighter for a decade, but it’s true; in December 1998 he blasted out WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul in eight rounds to lift his first belt.
Pacquiao lost his title on the scales before his second defense against Thailand’s Medgeon 3K Battery, who polished off the weight-weakened Filipino in three rounds. But he defied conventional wisdom by immediately jumping three weight classes and blowing away IBF junior featherweight titlist Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in six scintillating rounds.
Following a foul-infested technical draw against Agapito Sanchez, Pacquiao plowed through his next four opponents before crushing Marco Antonio Barrera in 11 dominating rounds to vault himself into the pound-for-pound rankings. Over the next three years, the dynamic Pacquiao walked a formidable gauntlet – and didn’t emerge unscathed. Pacquiao decked WBA/IBF champ Juan Manuel Marquez three times in the first round only to have Marquez rally strongly to seal a memorable draw. After disposing of Fahlan 3K Battery in four rounds, Pacquiao lost a thrilling 12 rounder to fellow warrior Erik Morales. A six-round KO over Hector Velazquez set up the rematch with Morales, and after a slow start Pacquiao washed over “El Terrible” like a typhoon before stopping him in the 10th.
That victory moved many experts, including this one, to declare Pacquiao as a legitimate threat to Mayweather’s pound-for-pound supremacy and he continued to make his case by challenging himself in ways “The Pretty Boy” wouldn’t. It was a testament to Pacquiao’s strength when the accomplished former WBC super bantamweight champion Oscar Larios was viewed as a mere tune-up, and “Chololo” flexed his muscles by hurting Pacquiao early in the third. But Pacquiao rebounded strongly and went on to win a convincing decision. Pacquiao was the heavy favorite both before his rubber match against Morales and his most recent outing against the unbeaten Jorge Solis, and Pacquiao proved the bettors right as he torched Morales in three and crushed Solis in eight.
Is He a Legend? Yes, in the Phillipines and among hard-core fans.
As accomplished as Pacquiao is, is he worthy of legend status? In the Philippines, he zoomed past legend long ago and headed straight to demigod. Among die-hard boxing fans, the answer is also a resounding yes because of his whirlwind style, his passionate fan base and his eagerness to take risks. But among casual sports fans in America, where the really big money lies, there’s still much work to be done. If ever there is a fighter that is suited to reintroduce boxing to over-the-air network TV in the U.S., it is Pacquiao. Whether that ever happens is up to forces much more powerful than this humble scribe.
Rafael and Juan Manuel Marquez: The reason why these Mexico City siblings are grouped together is this: Just as they are linked by genetics, so are their boxing fortunes. There is little doubt that they are the greatest brother tandem the sport has ever known and boxing fans should rejoice that there are even more chapters to come as both are about to reprise two of this year’s best fights. Rafael is scheduled to fight Israel Vazquez in August while Juan Manuel will reportedly attempt to repeat his victory over Barrera in September.
A mythology was built around Juan Manuel early in his career as the technically sound bomber impressively steam rolled opponent after opponent. He soon became the mandatory challenger for charismatic WBO champion Naseem Hamed, but instead of fulfilling his obligation the “Prince” and his management shamelessly avoided Juan Manuel for more than two years because they saw him as too big a risk for too little monetary reward.
Fed up with waiting on His Princeness, Juan Manuel challenged WBA champion Freddie Norwood on the undercard of Floyd Mayweather-Carlos Gerena before the glare of HBO’s cameras. Riding a 29-fight winning streak that included eight knockouts in his last nine fights, Juan Manuel was expected to impressively dispose of “Lil’ Hagler,” but instead of looking Marvelous, Juan Manuel fought with disappointing caution and dropped a decision. Because he squandered a golden chance to make himself a star, Juan Manuel was forced to again take the long road back to a championship.
Three years and 11 fights later, Juan Manuel finally got an opportunity to make amends when he challenged IBF featherweight champion Manuel Medina on a pay-per-view telecast topped by Miguel Cotto’s 11th round TKO over former lightweight champion Cesar Bazan. This time, Juan Manuel rose to the occasion by impressively stopping the tricky four-time titlist in seven rounds.
After victories over Marcos Lincona and Derrick Gainer, Juan Manuel honored himself by arising from three first-round knockdowns to hold Pacquiao to a draw, earning himself a spot on the undercard of Bernard Hopkins-Oscar de la Hoya in September 2004. With a huge audience of “mainstream” sports fans tuned in to watch “The Golden Boy” fight “The Executioner,” Marquez had the stage on which he could persuade this collectively well heeled audience that he was a fighter to whom they should pay attention. Instead, Juan Manuel was cautious and, some would say, mind-numbingly boring in scoring a passionless unanimous decision over Orlando Salido. For Juan Manuel, it was a pyrrhic victory at best and a blown opportunity at worst.
The squandered chances extended to the handling of his career when trainer/manager Ignacio “Nacho” Beristain turned down a six-figure purse for a rematch with Pacquiao. After decisioning Victor Polo on the undercard of Corrales-Castillo I, Juan Manuel lost his title when Beristain accepted a $30,000 purse for his charge to fight mandatory challenger Chris John in Jakarta, Indonesia. The disputed loss marked a low point, but “Dinamita” has re-ignited his career by beating Terdsak Jandaeng (KO 7), Jimrex Jaca (KO 9) and Marco Antonio Barrera (W 12) in exciting fashion. The Barrera victory has enabled Juan Manuel to come full circle as a second fight with Pacquiao is once again one of the best fights that can be made.
For years, Rafael toiled in his older brother’s shadow but that would soon change. Rafael burst onto the world stage by shocking two-division titlist Mark “Too Sharp” Johnson by split decision on the untelevised undercard (at least in the U.S.) of Angel Manfredy-Julio Diaz. The two points Johnson lost for holding provided the margin of victory, so a rematch was arranged four months later. This time there was no controversy as Rafael blasted Johnson out in the eighth.
One year and two fights later, Rafael dethroned long-reigning IBF bantamweight champion Tim Austin, also in eight rounds, and over the next three-and-a-half years he cemented his reputation as one of history’s hardest hitting 118-pounders. The heavy-handed and well-schooled Rafael scored five knockouts in seven defenses against a good crop of challengers that included Mauricio Pastrana (twice), Heriberto Ruiz and the highly-touted South African Silence Mabuza (twice).
The strain of making 118 eventually became too much for the 31-year-old Rafael, and by this time his reputation was such that he secured an immediate title shot at the world’s best junior featherweight in WBC champ Israel Vazquez. The fight more than lived up to its buildup as they took turns hammering one another. A big right by Rafael near the end of the first round stunned Vazquez, but a sneaky left-right by Vazquez in round three put Rafael on the canvas for the first time in his career. The fifth round ranks as one of the best of 2007 as Marquez broke Vazquez’s nose only to have Vazquez storm back with uncommon ferocity. Though Vazquez was clearly bothered by the injury he fought on for two more rounds before retiring on the stool, unable to breathe. It was a disappointing end to an otherwise pitched battle that lifted the reputations of both men.
Are They Legends? Rafael is more likely to earn it than Juan Manuel.
Of the two, Rafael has the better chance of stamping himself as a legend because of his lengthy reign at bantamweight, his nearly seven-year undefeated streak and his ability to consistently deliver exciting performances while remaining technically responsible. His pulsating victory over Vazquez vaulted him to the top half of most observers’ pound-for-pound lists and by taking an immediate rematch with Vazquez it is obvious he is in no mood to rest on his laurels. As for Juan Manuel, he may well join his brother in the Hall of Fame, but as of now the disappointments against Norwood and Salido loom as large as any of his victories. But the good news for Juan Manuel is that a second win over Barrera and another against Pacquiao will go a long way toward erasing the stench created from those fights.
Tomorrow’s installment will discuss the prospects of the rest of the pound-for-pound list as well as speculate whether these men will garner the same respect from historians than their peers of the past.
