Has Manny Pacquiao finally surpassed Muhammad Ali as a boxer and sports icon?

Ali once famously proclaimed "I am the Greatest!" But in 2020, has Manny Pacquiao done enough to surpass Muhammad Ali? Let's compare them: Muhammad "I am the Greatest" Ali (56W, 5L, 37KOs): https://i1.wp.com/outandaboutnycmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/d0ogf1dtr6vhx4pcmbmyiblpejjtostn-xlarge.jpg?resize=900%2C505 Olympic gold medalist Heavyweight champion of the world First boxer to win the heavyweight world title 3 times Only 3 time lineal heavyweight champion in history Won "The Rumble in the Jungle" and "Thrilla in Manilla" Activist, humanitarian, philanthropist, and global icon Detractions: Trash-talked/disrespected opponents (including fallen ones) VS Manny "The People's Champ" Paquiao (62W, 7L, 2D, 39KOs): https://www.sportscasting.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/Manny-Pacquiao-prays.jpg Rated #1 Pound-for-Pound (2008-2011) First and only 8-division world champion in history First and only 4-decade world champion in history First 5-division lineal champion in history First 4-time welterweight champion in history Oldest welterweight champion in history National hero, senator, humanitarian, philanthropist, and global icon Flaws: Asked for catchweights against Cotto, Margarito, and Algieri No doubt two of the greatest boxers and men who ever lived. But in your opinion: 1). Has Manny surpassed Ali as a boxer 2). Has Manny surpassed Ali as an icon

Comments (20)

alexguiness

Ali was a great fighter and his legacy as the most famous boxer of all time is pretty much set. However, a great deal of his legacy was based on what he did outside the ring as well as inside. I'm not going to hate on Ali, but he is kind of deified by the liberal sports media for his racial and anti war stance. His character had many flaws in reality but he was a real showman. Manny on the other hand is a pure fighter and a warrior - people who love boxing understand and appreciate this for what it is.

5y ago

BodyBagz

Pac spent way too much time beating up farmers and food vendors. When he stepped up he included clauses. He ran away from a harmless needle. Pac The Compiler A knock off brand Pete Rose of boxing

5y ago

AJs_Boy

Ali was no muslim extremist. after the mafia was pushed out of boxing the muslims took over behind the scenes. Ali went with it. I like both guys and no modern fighter ever showed 1% of the courage they had. Ali was a showman and called people names to build up the fights. are you that dumb? Ali was full of hate. Pacquiao is the more accomplished of the two, greater fighter of the two. Ali still has the edge in icon status thanks to a biased, casual media who supported him and made him into something he wasn’t. Exactly. he's overrated. In a word, no. Idiotic thread...get a grip man ffs. Foolish post. Pacquiao is goat, kiddo.

5y ago

Ochoa780

Not only will he never, Fury will overshadow them both. 😂😂😂 Ali almost threw his boxing career away over a protest. The guy was bigger than life I dont know if there will ever be a boxer to overtake him in that category

5y ago

LetOutTheCage

Nice troll thread OP. Ali will always be the goat

5y ago

BodyBagz

I am probably jinxing this, but for once, most Pac fans are being normal.

5y ago

Willy_Wanker

No, I don't think any fighter or athlete will ever surpass Ali as an icon.

5y ago

EThug

Idiots chastising Ali for being a draft dodger lol pathetic, I'm glad he didn't fought in another poxy war Pacquaio is a needle dodger

5y ago

nacho_daddy

Ali was a Muslim extremist who ducked the war and called his own people racial slurs like gorilla and uncle tom. How you think Frazier, Patterson etc feel about him??? Oh and Ali lost to Frazier and Norton and ducked Foreman rematch. Manny ducked no one. Ali was no muslim extremist. after the mafia was pushed out of boxing the muslims took over behind the scenes. Ali went with it. I like both guys and no modern fighter ever showed 1% of the courage they had. Ali was a showman and called people names to build up the fights. are you that dumb?

5y ago

boliodogs

No, he hasn't. Ali will be very hard for anyone to pass because he gave up 4 years of his boxing prime and millions of dollars to stand up for his beliefs. It does not make him a better fighter but it makes him a loved and popular fighter and that influences fan's opinion of him.

5y ago

famicommander

Don't ever compare a scumbag politician to a real humanitarian like Ali.

5y ago

LoadedWraps

Not only will he never, Fury will overshadow them both.

5y ago

grobbo

In a word, no. Idiotic thread...get a grip man ffs.

5y ago

QueensburyRules

Manny is a phenom, definitely top 20 of all time...but I do think Ali pretty much surpasses him for cultural significance at a time when boxing was much bigger, and whether we can admit it or not, it was a lot harder to win titles. I think being the number one heavyweight helps too, the significance of being a heavyweight. - -What would You know of the cultural significance of 3 billion Asians?

5y ago

GhostofDempsey

Pacquiao is the more accomplished of the two, greater fighter of the two. Ali still has the edge in icon status thanks to a biased, casual media who supported him and made him into something he wasn’t.

5y ago

chirorickyp

Ali larger than life. Pac good man, humble. Nothing surpasses that one and only MUHAMMAD ALI!!!

5y ago

Scopedog

Pacquiao is a very popular boxer but Ali is a global cultural icon. This honestly isn't even a contest

5y ago

SinderellaMan

Nobody really cares about the 8 division world titles, when you weight drain yourself 'And are still growing, you are going to go through weight divisions'. The heavyweight division is open class, you have guys fighting each other who are the same size of afew stone apart. Muhammad Ali was champion when boxing ruled the world, he was active in one of the most cultural progressive decades in human history 'When giants walked the face of the earth, Muhammad Ali stood on top of the planet' Excellent post

5y ago

abracada

Odviously Ali cause hes a Heavyweight, most of the general public dont understand weight classes and all they will think is the bigger dude will beat the smaller guy. Plus Ali was a icon for a generation who spoke his mind on political agendas that alot of the world agreed with. Although Manny is a atg with political ambitions his beliefs dont always align with the public at large. Going by resume i would have to choose Ali aswell. Hands down Ali is the greatest

5y ago

hayZ

Ali was the most famous person on the PLANET in the 70's. The same cannot be said for Manny, as much as I like the Pacman. Boxing was MUCH bigger then too.

5y ago