POUND FOR POUND TITLE IS NOT MYTHICAL ANYMORE
By Jason Aniel
PhilBoxing.com
Tue, 21 Apr 2009
San Francisco, CA?If you listen to various Ricky Hatton interviews and coverage from the United Kingdom, you would think that the Ring Magazine Jr. Welterweight World is the challenger in his May 2nd bout against Manny Pacquiao. That?s because, in Ricky Hatton?s mind, not only will he defend his 140lbs kingdom, but he also attempts to become the new ?pound for pound? king of boxing, the title that Pacquiao currently holds.
The term ?pound for pound? the best as long been considered to belong to the fighter who is the best, regardless of weight class. There have been many interpretations and guidelines about what constitutes the best fighter pound for pound. Some consider lumping all the boxers into one weight class and determine who the best fighter would be in the hypothetical weight class. Others look at recent achievements and victories.
One of the first fighters to carry that title was Hall of Fame fighter, Sugar Ray Robinson. Ask any boxing historian and they will tell you that Robinson is still the best fighter ?pound for pound? in boxing ever. In recent times, notable boxers that held the ?pound for pound? title were Roy Jones Jr., Bernard Hopkins, and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Now being the ?pound for pound? best fighter does not necessarily make you the biggest star in boxing, but it doesn?t hurt your marketability either. The biggest star in boxing used to belong to whoever was the heavyweight champion. However, with the combination of Oscar De La Hoya?s huge popularity and the lack of a legitimate heavyweight champion since Lennox Lewis, the title best ?pound for pound? has currently replaced THE heavyweight champion of the world.
Therefore, what has become a mythological title and a topic of great discussion, is now a legitimate title that is being defended. Or maybe that?s just in Ricky Hatton?s head. If Hatton scores an upset victory of Manny Pacquiao in less than two weeks, Manny will lose ?pound for pound? title. However, does that mean Ricky Hatton would then become the best fighter ?pound for pound?? The Yahoo! Poll ranks Hatton 9th, RING magazine ranks him 8th, and ESPN ranks him 12th. With Juan Manuel Marquez and the come backing former ?pound for pound? Floyd Mayweather Jr. possibility meeting later this summer, it?s unlikely Hatton will wear the crown anytime soon; regardless of the outcome against Pacquiao.
While Hatton is not necessarily challenging to become the ?pound for pound? king of boxing, Manny Pacquiao is definitely defending that honor. After his dominating performance against Oscar De La Hoya, Pacquiao is taking on the next high profile opponent in Ricky Hatton. While Oscar could not test whether Pacquiao, a long time featherweight, can handle bigger fighters, Hatton will certainly ask Manny if he is really a Jr. Welterweight.
His victory over De La Hoya was his biggest victory on the biggest stage of his career. As Freddie Roach predicted back in September, the victory isn?t only big in terms of the opponent, but the opportunities that will come Manny?s way because of the victory. Pacquiao is now a mainstream sports figure commanding massive coverage for his upcoming fights. Added to his already overwhelming popularity in the Philippines, the pressure on Pacquiao has become bigger. And it will only get bigger the closer the fight gets, which if you ask Manny, he embraces.
THE HAWAIIAN PUNCH RISES AGAIN!
Many people considered Brian Viloria a one hit wonder, who let the fame as a world champion get to his head. That might have been the case back in 2006, when Viloria lost the last four rounds to Edgar Sosa to lose his second attempt in reclaiming his world title. However, a change of scenery and old school boxing development (5 fights in 2008) has resulted in Viloria winning his second world title against top Light Flyweight Ulises Solis. With just 4 seconds left in round 11, Viloria crouched down and unleashed a vicious right hand that landed solidly on Solis? chin, sending him crashing to the canvas. Solis had no chance in beating the 10 count. The punch is definitely a knock out of the year candidate.
Solis, now a former IBF Light Flyweight titlist, had built a reputation as a Filipino assassin when he defeated 3 Filipino fighters in a row. However, Viloria refused to be the 4th victim and fought a smart but aggressive fight against Solis. At points during the fight, it looked like the old Viloria would return and he would not throw punches late in the fight. But, to Viloria and his trainer?s credit, he stepped up the pace as the fight entered the late stages. With the victory, Viloria joins the small list of Filipino fighters to win more than one world title.
DONAIRE REESTABLISHES HIS DOMINANCE!
Nonito Donaire reminded the boxing world why he is the best Flyweight in the world. Donaire was simply too much and too good for a solid contender in Raul Martinez. His counter left hook is the best in boxing and is a throwback to the days when Luisito Espinosa used to knock out fighters with the counter left hand. Donaire has looked flat in recent fights and was the reason many considered Martinez a ?live? underdog, who was capable of winning. But Donaire erased all doubts when he scored 4 knock downs in 4 rounds. Donaire has not looked this good since he knocked out Vic Darchinyan back in 2007.
PENALOSA PRIME FOR UPSET WIN!
This Saturday, the second act of Filipinos in world title bouts, Gerry Penalosa challenges the explosive Juan Manuel Lopez in Puerto Rico. It?s a classic youth vs. experience match-up with the potential of being a dramatic and exciting fight. Lopez is the young aggressive champion who was been running over his competition lately. His last three opponents did not make it out of the first three minutes of the fight and that included Daniel Ponce De Leon, who went 12 hard rounds with Penalosa.
Penalosa has been a world class professional since his first fight nearly 20 years ago. At 34, Penalosa is still on top of his game and one of the top Bantamweights in the world today. Penalosa will take on his biggest challenge of his career. However, Gerry chose to take this fight because he knows he has the style to defeat Lopez. Now is the time for Penalosa to fight Lopez, who has not hit his peak as a fighter yet Penalosa will be Lopez?s toughest opponent so far in his young career.
If Penalosa can take the youngster into deep water and give Lopez trouble he has never experienced, then Penalosa has a great chance in winning. However, Gerry would have to weather the initial storm Lopez will put on him. Penalosa has never been knocked out before but Lopez is the biggest puncher he has faced.
One thing is certain; Penalosa has never entered the ring out of shape and has never looked 34 inside the ring. He is an excellent boxer with deceptive power. If Lopez is able to score a victory, then we might be looking at the next king of the featherweights.
FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER DURING FIGHT WEEK
Philboxing.com is the number one source when it comes to the Manny Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton fight week. Continue to check out the site for the most up to date information about the Battle of East and West. Along with the site, you can also get the latest news and tidbits on Twitter. Go to my twitter page at www.twitter.com/sportnjordan from April 30th to May 3rd to get instant reports like the weights, results, my anticipated encounters with Hatton fans, and all the backstage events of fight night in real time!
Contact this writer at sportnjordan@gmail.com
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Jason Aniel.
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