Tweet
Why I think May and Pac should be tie in the #1 spot based on Cliff Rold's rankings.
Before the list, the article stated "Skill pays bills", but if you count the numbers of rounds May vs Pac lost against their five previous opponents. Pac can arguably be said to have lost only one round in all five contests. While Mayweather lost 2 rounds to Mosley, 1-2 to Hatton, and 4-5 against dela hoya.
If losing only one round in five contests is not very skillful, I don't know what.
------------------------------------------------
In order to determine who should be the current #1, I tried to break down their five previous opponents.
May:Mosley, Marquez, Hatton, Dela Hoya, Baldomir
Pac:Clottey, Cotto, Hatton, Dela Hoya, Diaz
1. Diaz vs. Baldomir
Two paper champions, but at least Baldomir is the linear champ. May slightly wins (both shut out their opponents, pac KOd in 10)
2. Dela Hoya (younger natural weight) vs Dela Hoya (older lighter weight) May slightly wins (Dela Hoya won 4-5 rounds, Pac shut him out and retired on his stool)
3. Hatton (WW) vs Hatton (LW) Pac slightly wins (Hatton could have won 1-2 rounds, but KTFO in 10, Pac obliterated him in 2)
4. Cotto (natural WW) vs Marquez (natural SW/LW) Pac wins a long mile (Cotto looks healthy at 145, and could have won 1-2 rounds, but got TKOd in 12, May totally shut out Marquez)
5. Mosley (#1 WW, but old) vs Clottey (#5 WW, younger) May wins (Mosley won 2 rounds, Pac shut Clottey out in 12)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, in my conclusion, Pacquiao and Mayweather should be tied in the #1 spot because although Mayweather slightly fought better(versions) oppositions in his last previous fight over the span of four years, Pac did only manage to lose one to two rounds in five fights over the span of two and a half years.
If losing only one round in five contests is not very skillful, I don't know what.
------------------------------------------------
In order to determine who should be the current #1, I tried to break down their five previous opponents.
May:Mosley, Marquez, Hatton, Dela Hoya, Baldomir
Pac:Clottey, Cotto, Hatton, Dela Hoya, Diaz
1. Diaz vs. Baldomir
Two paper champions, but at least Baldomir is the linear champ. May slightly wins (both shut out their opponents, pac KOd in 10)
2. Dela Hoya (younger natural weight) vs Dela Hoya (older lighter weight) May slightly wins (Dela Hoya won 4-5 rounds, Pac shut him out and retired on his stool)
3. Hatton (WW) vs Hatton (LW) Pac slightly wins (Hatton could have won 1-2 rounds, but KTFO in 10, Pac obliterated him in 2)
4. Cotto (natural WW) vs Marquez (natural SW/LW) Pac wins a long mile (Cotto looks healthy at 145, and could have won 1-2 rounds, but got TKOd in 12, May totally shut out Marquez)
5. Mosley (#1 WW, but old) vs Clottey (#5 WW, younger) May wins (Mosley won 2 rounds, Pac shut Clottey out in 12)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
So, in my conclusion, Pacquiao and Mayweather should be tied in the #1 spot because although Mayweather slightly fought better(versions) oppositions in his last previous fight over the span of four years, Pac did only manage to lose one to two rounds in five fights over the span of two and a half years.