From One ATG to Another: BHop Says Manny Tops Floyd in Legacy
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso
PhilBoxing.com
Sat, 13 Jun 2020
Most boxing chroniclers and experts believe that Manny Pacquiao and Bernard Hopkins are the only boxers in the last thirty years who have a shot at being included in the pantheon of the Boxing's All Time Greats.
This from among a gaggle of fine, well accomplished Hall of Fame fighters that include Floyd Mayweather, Jr., Andre Ward, Evander Holyfield, Lennox Lewis, Roy Jones, Jr., Oscar de la Hoya and Julio Cesar Chavez.
The All Time Greats is a highly exclusive group from across eras of boxing that included Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Willie Pep, Sandy Saddler, Jack Dempsey, Jack Johnson, among others.
Many fighters are able to get enshrined at the Boxing Hall of Fame, very difficult it is to even just get nominated but only a select few of those who makes it to the Hall have been able to get considered as an ATG or all time great fighter.
So when Bernard Hopkins said he would rather have the legacy of Manny Pacquiao than that of his rival, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., that is practically an ATG complimenting a fellow ATG.
"I’d rather have Manny Pacquiao’s legacy than Floyd Mayweather’s,” Hopkins told The Ring. “Manny fought everybody and Floyd fought guys (on his watch).”
Compliments are rare among ATGs.
You never heard of Ali and Frazier or Pep and Saddler publicly saying good words about each other even after they have long retired. Or even Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Tommy Hearns, and Marvelous Marvin Hagler.
Oh well, their rivalry extended to their retirement days, I guess.
There was no direct rivalry between Hopkins and Pacquiao for they fought in different divisions, except perhaps in the estimation of the fans of their worthiness as top pound for pound fighters.
But even then, it was rare for a potential ATG to be vouching for another candidate ATG especially at this point when their being considered as ATG is yet to be made formal and official.
It speaks well of the class of Hopkins and volumes about the quality of a fighter that Manny has been.
Hopkins retired with a record of 55-8-2, 32 KOs as a former long reigning undisputed middleweight champion and two time Ring lineal light heavyweight champion.
For Hopkins, boxing legacy is not about being undefeated but more of how a fighter challenges himself against assortments of quality opponents.
Like Manny, Hopkins fought practically a who's who in his career including Roy Jones, Jr., Tito Trinidad, Jermain Taylor, Kelly Pavlik, Oscar de la Hoya, Jean Pascal and Sergei Kovalev, mostly at their best prime in fights he was the underdog.
Manny fought Chatchai Sasakul, Lehlo Lebwaba and Marco Antonio Barrera as underdog, Erik Morales thrice, winning twice and Juan Manuel Marquez four times, winning two with one draw. He also fought David Diaz, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito on his debuts at 135, 140, 147 and 154 lbs, winning each time impressively in devastating fashion.
Manny lost to Floyd in 2015 but their fight came five years remove from Manny's strongest prime where fans and experts believe the result could have been different.
From one ATG to another, indeed.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Teodoro Medina Reynoso.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Life vs. Death: The Ultimate Ringside Showdown Immortalized in Pierce Egan’s Boxiana
By Emmanuel Rivera, RRT, Sat, 23 Nov 2024SPORTS SHORTS 284: TEAM MARK MAGSAYO CONFIRMS RETURN TO THE RING ON DECEMBER 14
By Maloney L. Samaco, Sat, 23 Nov 2024RJP Boxing promotes in Bucana on Dec. 17
By Lito delos Reyes, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Good Prospects at Minimumweight, Light Fly, Super Bantam and Super Feather in 2025
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Sat, 23 Nov 2024Filipino International Master Chito Danilo Garma is the new World Senior Blitz champion; Filipino FIDE Master Mario Mangubat takes the bronze medal
By Marlon Bernardino, Sat, 23 Nov 2024KAMBOSOS JR SIGNS CO-PROMOTIONAL DEAL WITH MATCHROOM
Sat, 23 Nov 2024INTERNATIONAL BOXING HALL OF FAME TO ANNOUNCE CLASS OF 2025 ON THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5th
Sat, 23 Nov 2024Ring Master promotes in Calinan on Dec. 21
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024NP Bansalan boxing team in Matalam
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024New York, Minnesota Biggest Trade Gainers; Los Angeles Has the Rookie Draft Steal
By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino IM Bagamasbad prevails
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024DC girl’s futsal in Palawan now
By Lito delos Reyes, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino FIDE Master Ivan Travis Cu is ready to face challenge
By Marlon Bernardino, Fri, 22 Nov 2024Dante Kirkman Secures First Career Knockout with 3rd Round TKO Victory
Fri, 22 Nov 2024Filipino Middleweight Star Blazen Rocili Set to Return to the Ring This Saturday in San Antonio, TX
Thu, 21 Nov 2024