An essay on why Mayweather is better than Pacquiao

In the sport of boxing, there are no two names bigger than those of Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Their fan-bases are so enormous that the two of them in the same ring together would do unprecedented pay-per view buys world wide. Unfortunately, negotiations for the fight fell through and it isn’t certain when they will try again if ever. Since they aren’t fighting any time soon, the fans of either side are pointing fingers back and forth. Until they get in the ring together, we’ll never know who will win, but I have a theory that Mayweather would win since he’s shown more consistent boxing superiority throughout his entire career. Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s statistics alone are clearly better as he stands 5’8’’, has a reach of 72’’ and a professional record of 41 wins, 25 knock-out victories and 0 losses. Manny Pacquiao is 5’6’’, has a 67’’ reach, and has a professional record of 51 wins, 38 by way of knockout. Pacquiao has shown he is very beatable having 3 losses, 2 of which by knockout and 2 fights scored as a draw. Going back to their teenage years, Mayweather accomplished much more than Pacquiao, indicating he was more polished and better trained. In 1995, when Pacquiao was 16, he made his pro debut in the Philippines weighing 105lbs, and had his first knock out loss at 17. He moved up to the 122lbs weight class and stayed there for 4 years, compiling victories, but none significant as he was fighting unknowns. On the other hand, in 1993 when Mayweather was 16 and weighed 106lbs, he won his first National Golden Gloves title. He won it again the following year at the age of 17. In 1996, at the age of 19, Mayweather had a spectacular year as he won his third Golden Gloves title, and also left the Olympic Games held later that year in Atlanta with the Bronze Metal in the 126lbs weight class. They both became champions in their 20s, but once again, Mayweather showed more dominance as a title holder. Pacquiao won the 122lbs world championship at 20 years old, defended it twice, and on his third defense was knocked out. However, at 21 years of age, Mayweather won his first championship at the 130lbs weight class and defended it 9 times successfully. Mayweather is known for dominating all opposition as a star in the boxing world while Pacquiao was known to have struggled through his battles. From 2002-2007, Mayweather won belts from great champions in three different weight classes in dominating fashion. He had only one fight considered close; this was against Jose Luis Castillo. Mayweather gave Castillo a rematch right away and won convincingly the 2nd time around. On the other hand, Pacquiao had several close fights in 2003-2007, the years that made him a household name. He met his toughest foe in Juan Manuel Marquez, a fight in which the Mexican get dropped 3 times in the very first round by Pacquiao. However, Marquez got up off the canvas and out-boxed Pacquiao to even the scorecards and the fight was ruled as a draw after 12 rounds. Pacquiao would soon meet Erik Morales, who handed him his 3rd loss in a very exciting fight that added to his fan-base despite losing. Pacquiao would have 6 satisfying wins before giving Marquez a rematch. He would win a split decision, but many, including myself, felt he got out-boxed again as the punch-stats showed Marquez landed punches at a higher percentage. The fight was very close and very bloody. Both fighters became known as “pound for pound, the best in the world”, however, Mayweather worked harder for it, therefore deserved it more. Mayweather was crowned the best before Pacquiao after the major payday he got against ring-legend Oscar De La Hoya. Mayweather was fighting for the 154lbs championship against the much larger Oscar De La Hoya, who reportedly weighed over 160lbs on the night of the fight. Mayweather did a good job fighting with his back to the ropes against the naturally bigger man, and progressively dominated the fight to earn the split decision victory. His next fight would be against undefeated British sensation Ricky Hatton, another major payday in which Mayweather knocked out the Brit in 10 rounds. After this fight, it was undeniable that Mayweather was the best in the world, and he decided to retire on top in 2007. Pacquiao became the new king of boxing in Mayweather’s absence by fighting De La Hoya and Hatton, the exact same people. When De La Hoya fought Pacquiao, he starved and de-hydrated himself to make the 147lbs limit, approximately 15 pounds below his natural frame. He was so drained that on the night of the fight, Pacquiao, who was advertised to be the smaller guy, actually weighed a couple pounds more than the pale, skinny and unhealthy De La Hoya, Pacquiao knocked him out. Pacquiao then knocked out Ricky Hatton, a fighter who was never the same after his devastating knock-out loss to Mayweather. These wins somehow were enough for the public to crown him as the best. Mayweather, not wanting people to forget he is truly the best, came out of retirement in late 2009 to prove a point to the world. His opponent would be Juan Manuel Marquez, the fighter who gave Pacquiao his two most difficult fights. Mayweather thoroughly outclassed Marquez in a 12 round showcase, winning every round. The stage was now set for the two biggest stars in boxing to meet up, but it was Pacquiao’s people that wanted to avoid blood testing as much as possible; they must’ve had something to hide. They were scheduled to fight March 13th, 2010, and all negotiations seemed to be going well until Mayweather’s camp demanded Olympic-style random blood testing be done to both fighters as they trained. Pacquiao’s camp wanted all drug testing to be scheduled, then later agreed to have it random so long as there would be no more testing 24 days before the fight. Mayweather’s camp proposed to meet down the middle, saying they wanted 14 days of no testing before the fight. It was Team Pacquiao that declined this mediation offer, and the fight was off. Some say Mayweather was afraid to fight, and had no right to demand blood testing, and some say that Pacquiao has something to hide. In my opinion, Floyd was never afraid of Pacquiao seeing as he came out of retirement to show he is better than the current pound for pound champion. He just wanted to be sure Pacquiao was clean. Floyd has been much more dominant throughout his career and has proven himself more. I think Pacquiao’s arms are too short, and judging by the way Mayweather disposed of Marquez, Pacquiao’s most difficult opponent, Pacquiao and his fans would have a nightmare against the true pound for pound champion, Floyd Mayweather Jr.