Don’t sell Manny short
By Joaquin Henson
PhilBoxing.com
Wed, 05 Aug 2020
The London weekly trade magazine Boxing News recently took a close look at the world’s top 10 welterweights and came to the conclusion that reigning super WBA champion Manny Pacquiao is only the fourth best in the 147-pound division behind No. 1 Errol Spence, No. 2 Terence Crawford and No. 3 Shawn Porter.
In contrast, the latest pound-for-pound ratings place Pacquiao at No. 10 by The Ring Magazine, No. 9 by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA), No. 10 by ESPN and No. 7 by the popular website boxrec. The Ring, BWAA and boxrec rate Canelo Alvarez as the world’s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter while ESPN considers Vasyl Lomachenko the best. So even as Boxing News rated Pacquiao only No. 4 among welterweights, he’s in the top 10 of the pound-for-pound ladders of four authoritative bodies.
With rumors swirling that Pacquiao is being lined up for a fight before the year ends, MP Promotions head Sean Gibbons said, “(it) seems like everyone wants the Senator.” No doubt, he remains a big-ticket item even in a situation where boxing shows prohibit a live audience. Pacquiao, at 41, is still an elite marquee fighter and that’s why he’s in the top 10 of the world’s pound-for-pound ratings. Because undefeated Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is retired, he’s not in the ratings. If he un-retires and it looks like he will, Mayweather could re-enter the top 10 but that will depend on how he performs in his comeback fight.
Although Pacquiao has been quoted as saying he won’t fight until there’s a vaccine, it’s not stopping speculation of a duel with Mikey Garcia in Saudi Arabia or an exhibition with a Japanese fighter in Papua New Guinea or a title defense in Macau or a showdown with Crawford or a battle against MMA's Conor McGregor or a rematch with Mayweather. While Pacquiao is hot news even as he’s staying quiet in General Santos City, it appears that Mayweather is envious and doesn’t want to miss out on the media buzz. He recently said he’s negotiating a deal in Japan for a comeback. The ideal situation is for Pacquiao and Mayweather to win their next fights then they advance to a blockbuster reunion, probably when COVID-19 is licked and the world is back to normal next year.
Here’s how Boxing News sized up Pacquiao: “Considering that Pacquiao turned pro 25 years ago and has been written off several times during the last 10 of those, it’s a genuine miracle that he can still operate at this level … since Mayweather beat him in 2015, he’s won five of six against fighters like Bradley, Vargas, Broner and Thurman … a phenomenon … though his power has faded, he remains a formidable attacking force with the ability to put the kind of combinations together few other fighters in history can match … despite his successes, has been carefully matched in recent years … taking on someone at their peak like Spence or Crawford might be something of a shock to the veteran’s system … of the three above him, you’d give him a chance against Porter but little against the other two … the miracle man is surely close to the end.”
When Pacquiao’s boxing career will end is strictly up to him. But between you and me, he’s got a few more surprises up his sleeve. Don’t sell Pacquiao short. He may be No. 4 in Boxing News’ welterweight rankings but Pacquiao will always be No. 1 in the heart of every Filipino fan.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Joaquin Henson.
Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:
Signed, Sealed… but Still Unsettled: Unanswered Questions Hang Over Fury-Joshua Ahead of Expected Ink
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Wed, 29 Jul 2026VETERAN SAVVY VS UNDEFEATED POWER: MUGICHA NAKAGAWA VS LEMUEL DE BARBO AUGUST 1 IN LA TRINIDAD
By Carlos Costa, Wed, 29 Jul 2026SKYE NICOLSON TO DEFEND WORLD TITLE AGAINST MIYO YOSHIDA ON AUG 29 IN BIRMINGHAM AS MATCHROOM AND MVP ANNOUNCE ALLIANCE
Wed, 29 Jul 2026Tickets for Martinez vs. Plantic in Los Angles, Saturday, August 29
Wed, 29 Jul 2026Grandy Twins Celebrate Milestone 18th Birthday, Set to Shine at BiYu Promotions' "Fights Under the Lights" on August 14
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Sergeev and Lubkovich set for key bouts at WINLINE. IBA.PRO 20 in Naberezhnye Chelny
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Hard-hitting SEA Games bronze medalist Mark Ashley Fajardo signs with Sanman Boxing
Tue, 28 Jul 2026THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 27 JULY 2026: Tszyu vs Spence, Return of Anthony Joshua and Tyson Fury Highlight Busy Week
By Eric Armit, Tue, 28 Jul 2026The Legacy Continues: Team Durán Prepares for Historic Panama-Mexico Showdown
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Jul 2026NM Ric Portugalera Tops Hongkong Blitz Chess
By Marlon Bernardino, Tue, 28 Jul 2026Nurghali gets second shot at Japparbergenov’s bantamweight title at International Boxing Day in Astana
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Champion's Mindset: Gustavo Trujillo Ready to Defend BKB Heavyweight Title Against Mark O'Neil at BKB 58
Tue, 28 Jul 2026Spanish boxer Eddine has been Hospitalized in Spain
By Gabriel F. Cordero, Tue, 28 Jul 2026PH football in group C, G
By Lito delos Reyes, Tue, 28 Jul 2026PHILBOXING.COM MONDAY ROUNDUP: Tszyu Outclasses Spence in Sydney as "The Truth" Retires; Heavyweight Drama in Pattaya and Jeddah
By NewsHub @ PhilBoxing , Mon, 27 Jul 2026