Manny Pacquiao looked awesome in stopping David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto in 2008-2009. However, Manny has now been taken the distance in four straight fights. Granted he easily outpointed Joshua Clottey, Antonio Margarito and Shane Mosley before being awared a controversial majority decision in his third meeting with Juan Manuel Marquez.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. has been much less active than Pacquiao over the same period, fighting only three times since 2007. Floyd easily outpointed Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley before cheap-shotting Victor Ortiz to score a controversial KO.
So who belongs at the top of the pound-pound list TODAY? Manny climbed to number one by being more active and defeating common opponents - other than Marquez - more decisively than Mayweather. However, after much debate, I have come to the conclusion that Mayweather once again belongs in the top spot. Why? Partially because of the ease with which Mayweather pitched a near shutout against Marquez, while Pacquiao has now fought 36 rounds against Marquez to a virtual draw. The boxing adage that styles make fights is overused but accurate and it wouldn't be fair to knock Pacquiao out of the top spot simply because the style of Marquez gives him fits.
The bigger reason Floyd is back on top is because - head-to-head - I think he beats Manny ... relatively easily. Pacquiao would certainly have a puncher's chance against Mayweather ... but that might be his only chance of winning. Floyd can do everything Marquez can do ... only better. Mayweather is bigger, faster, stronger, younger and simply better than Marquez - both offensively and, more importantly, defensively. If Pacquiao couldn't figure out a 38-year-old Marquez, how is he going to beat Floyd Mayweather?
Let the debate begin . . .
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