As the fight approaches, expect to hear a lot about a good big man always beats a good little man. The rationale behind the cliche is that when all other things are equal (talent, heart, etc), victory goes to the bigger guy. That is usually true. But history is not always on the side of the bigger guy. Some examples:
In 1966, Emile Griffith, a welterweight, weighed just 150 1/2 pounds when he decisioned Dick Tiger to win the middleweight crown. Tiger weighed 160 pounds. Griffith won a unanimous decision in this battle of future hall-of-famers.
Also, remember, in those days, the fighters were often weighed the morning of the fight, or some times in the ring on fight night. There was no time to add the extra pounds back on. It was a good thing that Pacquiao weighed 141 on the last 24/7 episode. When moving up to heavyweight, a fighter wants to add muscle and strength, but if Manny forced himself to get close to 147, it would be a mistake.
In 1957, Carmen Basilio weighed 153 1/2 pounds when he won a split decision over Sugar Ray Robinson (160) to win the middleweight crown.
In back-to-back fights, Evander Holyfield weighed 208 pounds but defeated Buster Douglas (246) and George Foreman (257).
In 1985, for the first time in history, a reigning light heavyweight champion beat a heavyweight champion. Michael Spinks (200 pounds) decisioned Larry Holmes (221 1/2 pounds). Spinks’ awkward, busy style was too much for Holmes. Sound familiar?
In 2003, Roy Jones Jr. (193 pounds) outboxed John Ruiz (226) to win the WBA heavyweight title. This may be the worst example, simply because Jones was markedly more talented than Ruiz.
Ultimately, if Manny wins, it won’t be about the weight. It will have been about the intangibles — things like desire and conditioning.
