When Yahoo! released its revised pound for pound rankings earlier this month it certainly created quite the stir as Floyd Mayweather Jr. was vaulted to the top of the list on the basis of his dominant decision victory over Shane Mosley earlier this month. There were many who felt that Manny Pacquiao, the same man who had been holding down the #1 spot continuously for several months, was still deserving of that honor and the debate soon began to rage.
Wanting to get a better perspective of the situation I reached out to a seemingly endless list of boxing insiders from the likes of fighters, trainers, managers, promoters, media members, website owners, and many more. Whether by email, phone or Facebook I was able to get in touch with a wide range of characters and the responses that I received were drastically different and full of insight and heavy opinion.
First and foremost I simply asked people what their definition was of ?pound for pound? and what they would expect from a fighter to hold that lofty position. The following question was again straight to the point as I asked everyone who they felt was the world?s premier fighter and why.
The feedback was overwhelming, almost to the point where I wondered if it was more than I bargained for, but I enjoyed compiling everyone?s thoughts and hearing their reasoning behind their answers. When the dust had settled Floyd Mayweather received 26 votes while Manny Pacquiao was close behind with 23 votes. Eight people were undecided and heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko received one vote.
First and foremost it should be noted that my list, just like any other list online really, was simply more of a barometer to get a feel for everyone?s thoughts on the issue. In no way are the results official as there really is no right or wrong answer seeing as though it is a matter of opinion.
The one constant criticism I received was that my panel consisted mainly of people from America as opposed to other areas on the globe. While I did my best to reach out to people from all parts of the world I simply was in a position where I had to focus my attention on the people who I had access to and they happened to be in America for the most part. Even with that fact I was still able to find many people who were refreshingly unbiased with their approaches.
I definitely put in a lot of work in towards making the 3-part series come to life and at the end of the day I feel my time was well spent.
Personal opinion on the pound for pound debate
When taking a look at the recent pound for pound landscape only two names stand out; Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Each man was blessed with different gifts inside of the ring and has used their abilities towards great success.
Floyd Mayweather has compiled a 41-0 record with 25 victories while winning championships in five different weight classes. He has defeated the likes of Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo on two occasions, Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, Shane Mosley and countless others. Inside of the ring he has shown brilliant defensive skills, an uncanny ring presence as well as tremendous speed and reflexes. He is quite possibly the most complete fighter in the sport today.
Manny Pacquiao?s record stands at 51-3-2 with 38 knockouts and his recent run of success in the sport has been remarkable. Pacquiao has won titles in seven weight divisions while beating the likes of Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales twice, Hatton, De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto and most recently Joshua Clottey. Pacquiao?s trademarks are his willingness to engage while laying his neck on the line, his ability to throw combinations from all angles, and the power that comes from his vaunted left hand.
I can?t knock either man but if I had to choose who was the world?s ?pound for pound? fighter today I would say Manny Pacquiao. In my eyes ?pound for pound? should be based on a fighter?s success against a high level of opposition as well and their activity and consistency inside of the ring.
What Mayweather did against Mosley was extremely impressive but it is hard for me to overlook the fact that Floyd was away from the sport from December of 2007 to September of 2009. While Floyd sat idle Pacquiao could be found besting the likes of Marquez in their memorable rematch, David Diaz in his move to the Lightweight division, De La Hoya, and Hatton.
If Floyd had stayed busy during that 21-month stretch he very well could still be perched atop my rankings but I can?t look past the fact that Pacquiao was simply busier during that period. It should also be noted that nestled between Mayweather?s victories over Marquez and Mosley were two clear-cut Pacquiao victories over Cotto and Clottey, two of the world?s top five Welterweights.
That isn?t to suggest that I think Pacquiao would necessarily beat Mayweather as I really have no idea how their fight would play itself out. I could see either man winning in various fashions and it is such an intriguing fight on many levels. Just like many members of the panel I corresponded with I just want to see the fight get made so that we can finally have a definitive answer on all of this.
When all is said and done the ?pound for pound? argument is something that will always perk people?s interest and you can never nail down a consensus answer that will fit everyone?s liking. Boxing is a sport that comes littered with a bevy of opinions from all angles and at the end of the day all you can do is voice your own opinion on the matter if you have something to say.
