PACQUIAO WATCH: BOXING'S BEST
By Edwin G. Espejo
PhilBoxing.com
Mon, 10 Dec 2007
Pretty Boy Floyd Mayweather?s 10th round demolition of erstwhile unbeaten Ricky Hatton of England safely kept his pound for pound ranking intact, for now at least.
Mayweather is undoubtedly today?s most skillful boxer. And the most cunning.
No one can lay a finger on him from the inside. See how he uses his left shoulder to shield his chin and his elbow to keep opponents from inflicting damage aside from wearying them down?
He is most calculating and will pounce at opponents at their slight mistakes as what he did when he landed the thundering left hook that dropped Hatton on his back.
He fought some of the best lightweights and welterweights over the last five years and triumphed over them to keep his record immaculate clean.
What kept pundits from truly appreciating his greatness is his methodical selection of opponents and his brass attitude inside and outside the ring.
True, Hatton was unbeaten and is among the best in the welterweight division. But he is a small welterweight and the size disparity between him and Floyd was very evident Sunday.
Many have called out Floyd?s name. Among them Antonio Margarito, Miguel Cotto and even Shane Mosley who is now a tad slower.
Unfortunately, Floyd thinks he is better off fighting some other guys.
Against the likes of Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran and Thomas Hearns during their prime, Floyd will have his hands full. May even be just another kid in the block.
Which brings us to the question what will become of our very own Manny Pacquiao as the second best pound for pound boxer next to Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Manny may not be able to overtake Mayweather as boxing?s best pound for pound but, certainly, he is not wanting in reputation as today?s most exciting fighter.
Pacquiao?s choice of opponents is never an issue for the purists. He takes all comers and he brings the excitement all could ask for from any pugilist.
His skills may be wanting compared to Mayweather but those are what make him popular.
Mayweather has been offering us erratic performances. He can be as good as he is if he wants to. He is the personification of the latent boxing theory of avoiding getting hurt to win. And he is the best at it, together with flyweight Ivan Calderon, one of boxing?s best little men who could bore you to death when they fight but possess superior boxing skills.
Somebody should rethink about making categories in choosing the mythical pound for pound best boxers today.
But the heck, it is what the fans came looking for in boxing bouts that counts most. Not the hype.
Move on. Paccquiao is still the most exciting boxer, pound for pound, today. Mayweather included.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Edwin G. Espejo.
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