With his win against Miguel Cotto, Manny Pacquiao chiseled his name alongside all-time boxing greats
Manny Pacquiao’s recent one-sided victory over tough Miguel Cotto cemented his stature and without a doubt placed him alongside boxing greats Muhammad Ali, Rocky Marciano, and Sugar Ray Robinson.
The question now is: Where does Manny stand with these boxing greats?
I asked highly regarded boxing historian and author Adam Pollack where would he place Manny on the all-time pound-for-pound rankings. Here’s what he had to say.
Not sure where I'd place Pacquiao on the all-time pound for pound rankings, but he certainly deserves a place amongst the best all time. Victories over world champions all the way from 112 up to 147 is highly significant, especially since he's not only defeated a high caliber of opponent, but also because he's done it in good fashion:
1998 KO8 Chatchai Sasakul (who was 33-1 and had avenged his lone loss), for the WBC flyweight 112-pound title. Sasakul didn't lose again until 2005, and he had started boxing as a pro in 1991.
Manny goes all the way up to 122 in late 1999 and defeats guys like 41-5 Raynante Jamili, 23-0 Seung-Kon Chae, 19-0 Nedal Hussein, 41-3 Wethya Sakmuangklang, all by KO. Impressively stops 33-1-1 Lehlohonolo Ledwaba for the IBF super bantamweight title, defends with KOs over 44-3 Jorge Julio and 37-2 Fahprakorb Rakkiatgym, and others.
Moves up again. 2003 KO11 over 57-3 Marco Antonio Barerra, THE best 126-pound featherweight in the world and one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the world at that time. Prior to that fight, Barerra had recent victories over Naseem Hamed, Erik Morales, Johnny Tapia, and Kevin Kelley.
Defends with a 2004 D12 against 42-2 Juan Manuel Marquez, a heck of a featherweight in his own right, dropping Marquez three times in the 1st round. Marquez had victories over Manuel Medina, Robbie Peden, and Derrick Gainer.
In 2005, he moved up in weight yet again, to 130, and lost a decision to 47-2 world champion Erik Morales, but came back to twice KO Morales with impressive performances. Morales' career included victories over Daniel Zaragoza, Junior Jones, Wayne McCullough, Barerra, Kevin Kelley, Guty Espadas, Jr., Paulie Ayala, Jesus Chavez, and Carlos Hernandez.
Manny again defeats Barrera, and narrowly defeats Marquez in a rematch (dropping him agian in the process). Marquez was coming off victories over Barerra and Rocky Juarez. In Marquez's next two fights, he KOs both Joel Casamayor and Juan Diaz.
In 2008, Pac moves up in weight to 135 and KOs 34-1-1 David Diaz. That's his first and only fight at lightweight.
Yet, in his very next fight in 2008, he moves all the way up to 145 to take on 39-5 Oscar de la Hoya, who in 07 had lost a split decision to Mayweather. Pac not only defeats him, but hands him a beating and stops him in 8 rounds.
Next stop, 2009 fight at 140 against 45-1 Ricky Hatton, whose best weight was 140, who was undefeated at 140. Hatton had victories over Pendleton, Vince Phillips, Ben Tackie, Kostya Tszyu, Maussa, Collazo, Urango, and Jose Luis Castillo. After losing to Mayweather at 147 via 10th round stoppage, Hatton had victories over Lazcano and Malignaggi. Pac blows through Hatton in 2 rounds.
Next fight in 09 against 34-1 Miguel Cotto at 145. Cotto's resume included many top fighters and former champions, including Cesar Bazan, Carlos Maussa, Randall Bailey, DeMarcus Corley, Ricardo Torres, Paulie Malignaggi, Carlos Quintana (who subsequently split two bouts with Paul Wililiams), Zab Judah, Shane Mosley (who subsequently beat Mayorga and KO’d Margarito). Although Cotto lost to Margarito, questions remained regarding whether Margarito had some help via illegal handwraps. Cotto had won two comeback fights, over 34-1 Jennings and 35-2 Josh Clottey, a strong and durable fighter who held victories over Corrales and Judah, and had lost a close decision to Margarito. Pac drops Cotto twice and dominates him.
I'd say that was a damn good resume.
***
Adam Pollack is a prolific boxing historian and author. He is also a practicing criminal defense attorney in Iowa City, IA. He is a staff writer for Cyberboxingzone.com, chair of USA Boxing's Rules and Regulations Committtee, chair of USA Boxing's Judicial Committee and a member of its Women's Task Force. He is also a boxing coach for the ICOR (Iowa City/Coralville) Boxing Club and attorney living in Iowa City, Iowa.
To date, Adam has published four books, John L. Sullivan: The Career of the First Gloved Heavyweight Champion, In the Ring With James J. Corbett, In The Ring With Bob Fitzsimmons, and his latest publication, In the Ring With James J. Jeffries.
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