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Face it, Pacquiao is an all-time great!
Face it, Pacquiao is an all-time great!
November 3rd, 2009 | by Oliver Suarez
For all of Pacquiao’s accomplishments and accolades, he still has not gotten all the credit that he deserves. Some question the validity of his recent wins over De La Hoya and Hatton. Others criticize him for not facing some of the best fighters in the lower weight classes. Some question his boxing skills. Others bash him for fighting opponents at a catchweight, bestowing him the title of “Catchweight King.” But are any of these truly valid criticisms? Just how great is Manny Pacquiao?
Pacquiao is the only boxer to ever start at flyweight and fight his way up through the welterweight division. A number of people downplay this accomplishment by mentioning the fact that Pacquiao began his professional career at a very young however, however, similar to baseball, many boxers in other countries began at a young age, but the fact remains that Pacquiao is the only one to ever accomplish such a feat. Let’s analyze his career and the quality of his past opponents, as at almost every division he’s been in, he’s consistently faced quality opponents.
From flyweight through super bantamweight, he fought the likes of Chatchai Sasakul, Nedal Hussein, Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and Medgoen Singsurat. Although these fighters were not household names, they were considered to be some of the top fighters in their division when Pacquiao fought them. At featherweight and super featherweight, he faced Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Jorge Solis and Oscar Larios. With the exception of Solis, the fighters I just mentioned are all multi-divisional champions and potential future Hall of Famers. I have heard critics mention that Pacquiao skipped bantamweight, ducking champions Tim Austin and Rafael Marquez. Are you serious? Pacquiao would have gladly faced those fighters if given the chance.
The fact of the matter is for so many years, promoters here in the U.S. felt that there was no market for Filipino fighters. That opinion wasn’t due to a lack of Filipino talent as Luisito Espinosa and Gerry Penalosa were also champions in the 90’s. Even though Pacquiao was already a proven fighter and a champion at flyweight, he could not convince anybody in the U.S. to promote and train him. In fact, he would probably still be a relatively unknown fighter in the Philippines if world-class trainer Freddie Roach did not take a chance to agree to train him. Pacquiao has never ducked anybody. Why would he have ducked Marquez and Austin when fighting those two fighters would have given him his highest payday at the time and provided him the exposure that he needed in the U.S. That is why, on two weeks noticed, he took the fight against Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in the first place. Although Ledwaba was a solid champion, we all know what happened in that fight.
Since then, Manny Pacquiao has done nothing but surpassed all expectations. He has become one of the few fighters in history who can retire without any regrets. Unfortunately, when you’re on top, there’s no shortage of critics. Just ask Floyd Mayweather. When Pacquiao defeated Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton convincingly, many people downplayed the victories. Oscar was said to be weight-drained and past his prime. Ricky Hatton was overrated and no longer an elite fighter. Of course, many of these critics were the same ones who picked Hatton and De La Hoya to defeat Pacquiao in the first place. Some critics who picked De La Hoya already considered him to be past his prime, having not fought at 147 for so many years, and yet, they still assumed that Pacquiao did not have enough boxing skills to pull it off. Furhtermore, when Pacquiao fought Ricky Hatton, the latter’s only loss was against Mayweather at a higher weight class. At jr. welterweight, however, Hatton was undefeated. Again, many expected Hatton to be too big and too strong, but again, Pacquiao proved them wrong.
Now Pacquiao is fighting Miguel Cotto, who arguably might be the best welterweight in the world, as he looks to continue to surprise many boxing experts. Fans expect fighters to face the toughest challenges while providing great excitement and Pacquiao has given us that time and time again throughout his career. What would your reaction have been a couple of years ago if someone had suggested the possibility of a fight between Pacquiao and the likes of Cotto, Mayweather and Mosley? Most of you would have probably thought of the idea as being ridiculous, thinking Pacquiao had no chance to beat any of those three mentioned. Because of Pacquiao’s determination and unmatched work ethic, he has made those matches possible and a number of people will no longer consider him to be an underdog against any of those fighters.
Lately, Pacquiao has also faced criticisms for facing fighters at catchweights. First of all, the fight against Cotto is his first catchweight fight and at 145, it’s a fair weight for both boxers. Pacquiao fought at 147 at Oscar’s insistence. He fought Ricky Hatton in his own division of 140, where the Brit had dominated for so many years. I can understand the people who say that the fight against Cotto should not be a title fight since it is not being fought at 147, but technicallym a welterweight fight can take place anywhere between 141-147. But where were all the criticisms about catchweights when Hopkins fought Pavlik or when Felix Trinidad fought Roy Jones? People are acting as if Pacquiao invented catchweights and that’s simply not the case. Many memorable fights in the pat were fought at catchweights. Julio Cesar Chavez fought Meldrick Taylor for the welterweight title at 145 pounds. Sugar Ray Leonard fought Thomas Hearns as a super middleweight at 163 pounds. He also forced Danny LaLonde to come down from 175 to 168 to fight for his light heavyweight title and the new super middleweight title.
It is time to appreciate Manny Pacquiao because a fighter like him only comes once in a generation. Sure, he’s not the greatest technical boxer and he may have some flaws, but those vulnerabilities combined with his ferociousness in the ring is what endears him to many boxing fans. Pacquiao has come a long way from being a one-dimensional fighter. He is now a much more complete boxer, while still being a warrior in his heart. Without question, he is truly an all-time great.
November 3rd, 2009 | by Oliver Suarez
For all of Pacquiao’s accomplishments and accolades, he still has not gotten all the credit that he deserves. Some question the validity of his recent wins over De La Hoya and Hatton. Others criticize him for not facing some of the best fighters in the lower weight classes. Some question his boxing skills. Others bash him for fighting opponents at a catchweight, bestowing him the title of “Catchweight King.” But are any of these truly valid criticisms? Just how great is Manny Pacquiao?
Pacquiao is the only boxer to ever start at flyweight and fight his way up through the welterweight division. A number of people downplay this accomplishment by mentioning the fact that Pacquiao began his professional career at a very young however, however, similar to baseball, many boxers in other countries began at a young age, but the fact remains that Pacquiao is the only one to ever accomplish such a feat. Let’s analyze his career and the quality of his past opponents, as at almost every division he’s been in, he’s consistently faced quality opponents.
From flyweight through super bantamweight, he fought the likes of Chatchai Sasakul, Nedal Hussein, Lehlohonolo Ledwaba and Medgoen Singsurat. Although these fighters were not household names, they were considered to be some of the top fighters in their division when Pacquiao fought them. At featherweight and super featherweight, he faced Marco Antonio Barrera, Juan Manuel Marquez, Erik Morales, Jorge Solis and Oscar Larios. With the exception of Solis, the fighters I just mentioned are all multi-divisional champions and potential future Hall of Famers. I have heard critics mention that Pacquiao skipped bantamweight, ducking champions Tim Austin and Rafael Marquez. Are you serious? Pacquiao would have gladly faced those fighters if given the chance.
The fact of the matter is for so many years, promoters here in the U.S. felt that there was no market for Filipino fighters. That opinion wasn’t due to a lack of Filipino talent as Luisito Espinosa and Gerry Penalosa were also champions in the 90’s. Even though Pacquiao was already a proven fighter and a champion at flyweight, he could not convince anybody in the U.S. to promote and train him. In fact, he would probably still be a relatively unknown fighter in the Philippines if world-class trainer Freddie Roach did not take a chance to agree to train him. Pacquiao has never ducked anybody. Why would he have ducked Marquez and Austin when fighting those two fighters would have given him his highest payday at the time and provided him the exposure that he needed in the U.S. That is why, on two weeks noticed, he took the fight against Lehlohonolo Ledwaba in the first place. Although Ledwaba was a solid champion, we all know what happened in that fight.
Since then, Manny Pacquiao has done nothing but surpassed all expectations. He has become one of the few fighters in history who can retire without any regrets. Unfortunately, when you’re on top, there’s no shortage of critics. Just ask Floyd Mayweather. When Pacquiao defeated Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton convincingly, many people downplayed the victories. Oscar was said to be weight-drained and past his prime. Ricky Hatton was overrated and no longer an elite fighter. Of course, many of these critics were the same ones who picked Hatton and De La Hoya to defeat Pacquiao in the first place. Some critics who picked De La Hoya already considered him to be past his prime, having not fought at 147 for so many years, and yet, they still assumed that Pacquiao did not have enough boxing skills to pull it off. Furhtermore, when Pacquiao fought Ricky Hatton, the latter’s only loss was against Mayweather at a higher weight class. At jr. welterweight, however, Hatton was undefeated. Again, many expected Hatton to be too big and too strong, but again, Pacquiao proved them wrong.
Now Pacquiao is fighting Miguel Cotto, who arguably might be the best welterweight in the world, as he looks to continue to surprise many boxing experts. Fans expect fighters to face the toughest challenges while providing great excitement and Pacquiao has given us that time and time again throughout his career. What would your reaction have been a couple of years ago if someone had suggested the possibility of a fight between Pacquiao and the likes of Cotto, Mayweather and Mosley? Most of you would have probably thought of the idea as being ridiculous, thinking Pacquiao had no chance to beat any of those three mentioned. Because of Pacquiao’s determination and unmatched work ethic, he has made those matches possible and a number of people will no longer consider him to be an underdog against any of those fighters.
Lately, Pacquiao has also faced criticisms for facing fighters at catchweights. First of all, the fight against Cotto is his first catchweight fight and at 145, it’s a fair weight for both boxers. Pacquiao fought at 147 at Oscar’s insistence. He fought Ricky Hatton in his own division of 140, where the Brit had dominated for so many years. I can understand the people who say that the fight against Cotto should not be a title fight since it is not being fought at 147, but technicallym a welterweight fight can take place anywhere between 141-147. But where were all the criticisms about catchweights when Hopkins fought Pavlik or when Felix Trinidad fought Roy Jones? People are acting as if Pacquiao invented catchweights and that’s simply not the case. Many memorable fights in the pat were fought at catchweights. Julio Cesar Chavez fought Meldrick Taylor for the welterweight title at 145 pounds. Sugar Ray Leonard fought Thomas Hearns as a super middleweight at 163 pounds. He also forced Danny LaLonde to come down from 175 to 168 to fight for his light heavyweight title and the new super middleweight title.
It is time to appreciate Manny Pacquiao because a fighter like him only comes once in a generation. Sure, he’s not the greatest technical boxer and he may have some flaws, but those vulnerabilities combined with his ferociousness in the ring is what endears him to many boxing fans. Pacquiao has come a long way from being a one-dimensional fighter. He is now a much more complete boxer, while still being a warrior in his heart. Without question, he is truly an all-time great.
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