Pac-Mania was at an all time high at the time of the Mosley fight in 2011. Pacquiao was considered a living legend- 8 division world champion, rankd the #1 fighter in the world P4P by most sporting websites, some even considering him one of the Greatest of all Time. Had dominant wins over Barrera, Morales, Diaz, Oscar Delahoya, Hatton, Cotto, Clottey, Margarito, Mosley, etc.
People were actually comparing him to the likes of Ali, Leonard, and Robinson. Celebrities like Jessica Alba, Paris Hilton visiting him in camp. Hordes of people attending his concerts. Pac fans flooding the web claiming he could KO Prime Tyson. Everyone thought Floyd was scared of him. The idea of Pacquiao losing wasn't even a thought in most people's minds. Man..... I miss those days....
And then the 3rd Marquez fight happened and everything changed. He failed to beat Marquez convincingly, officially lost to Bradley, hasn't had a knockout since, got KO'ed by Marquez, and lost to Floyd. Wins over Rios and Algieri did nothing for his legacy. No more concerts, no more celebrities. Nike drops him. LGBT hates him and detractors criticize and laugh at him...... Dude is fighting Jesse Vargas next FFS and HBO won't even show it......
Don't get me wrong, Manny's still an ATG, the only 8-division champ in history and his WW run was legendary, but I truly believe that had Pacquiao retired after the Mosley fight, his status would be much greater, he'd still be considered on par with the likes of Ali and Robinson and most likely ranked above Floyd.
Everything that Pacquiao did after the 2011 Mosley fight has hurt his legacy and reputation little by little.
Thoughts?
People were actually comparing him to the likes of Ali, Leonard, and Robinson. Celebrities like Jessica Alba, Paris Hilton visiting him in camp. Hordes of people attending his concerts. Pac fans flooding the web claiming he could KO Prime Tyson. Everyone thought Floyd was scared of him. The idea of Pacquiao losing wasn't even a thought in most people's minds. Man..... I miss those days....
And then the 3rd Marquez fight happened and everything changed. He failed to beat Marquez convincingly, officially lost to Bradley, hasn't had a knockout since, got KO'ed by Marquez, and lost to Floyd. Wins over Rios and Algieri did nothing for his legacy. No more concerts, no more celebrities. Nike drops him. LGBT hates him and detractors criticize and laugh at him...... Dude is fighting Jesse Vargas next FFS and HBO won't even show it......
Don't get me wrong, Manny's still an ATG, the only 8-division champ in history and his WW run was legendary, but I truly believe that had Pacquiao retired after the Mosley fight, his status would be much greater, he'd still be considered on par with the likes of Ali and Robinson and most likely ranked above Floyd.
Everything that Pacquiao did after the 2011 Mosley fight has hurt his legacy and reputation little by little.
Thoughts?
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