If you go to Grand Rapids and ask 100 people who the top pound for pound boxer really is, Floyd Mayweather Jr. will come out on top by a huge margin.
Go to Manila, and ask 100 folks the exact same question and they’re going to place Manny Pacquiao in the top slot.
Do you see where I’m coming from?
If Mr. Kevin Iole carefully cherry-picks his “elite boxing writers”, he can sway his list however he chooses.
There are plenty of “elite boxing writers from around the world” who will vote Mayweather in as the top-dog.
It’s a simple matter of demographics.
Pound for pound lists are based on opinions. It’s all dependant upon who’s opinions you ask for, and who’s you don’t.
To further demonstrate the point, let’s try it ourselves, shall we?
Who is the No. 1 Pound for Pound boxer? Manny Pacquiao Floyd Mayweather Jr.
View Results poll by twiigs.com
August, 2009 cover of The Ring Magazine
Ring Magazine still has Pacquiao perched atop the No. 1 position in their Pound for Pound rankings. However, he’s ranked No. 2 at welterweight, with Mayweather at No. 1.
Boxing enthusiast Dale Pippin of Seligman said:
That makes no sense. How can he be the top Pound for Pound boxer when he’s ranked No. 2 at welterweight?
Apparently Pacquiao’s Pound for Pound status at Ring is based on his No. 1 status at junior welterweight, not at the weight he’s currently fighting at.
Confused yet?
The Pound for Pound title seems to be a difficult thing to quantify, but here’s the deal:
If it’s between Pacquiao and Mayweather, who’s been the most active?
What has Mayweather done in the past two years compared to what Pacquiao has done?
AP Photo
Who has sky-rocketed up through the weight classes to obtain every title he’s made an attempt at?
Mayweather looked brilliant against lightweight champion, Juan Manuel Marquez in September of last year.
He also looked great against Shane Mosley on May 1, but come on, Mr. Iole. Are these two victories enough to put him back on top?
In the interest of finding out who the Pound for Pound guy really is, let’s see what our completely unbiased poll has to say.
Anybody can vote.
Anybody
We wouldn’t want to leave anybody out who could sway the voting the wrong way, now would we?
