Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather: Who is no.1?

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Fighters like Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather come around once in a generation. Their skill, intelligence and athleticism set them apart from others, and they operate on a level rarely seen in the sport. In terms of style, they could not be less alike. One is a defensive wizard and a technical sharp shooter, while the other is an offensive animal with unworldly power and unorthodox movement. Yet both men occupy the same weight category at the same moment in history, and both can lay claim to being the best in the sport of boxing right now.

Pacquiao and Mayweather have looked spectacular in recent bouts,  so good it is hard to imagine either of them losing. Pacquiao’s path of destruction from 130-147lbs over the past few years has been nothing short of astonishing, while Mayweather’s effortless dismantling of legendary fighters has been equally remarkable.

While the public clamors for a fight between the two men, drug tests, egos and money still stands in the way.

For now, they remain emperors of their own kingdoms.

But which man can truly be called the pound for pound king of boxing? Let us take a look at their common opponents, the quality of their opposition and the ways in which they beat them to evaluate who deserves the much sought after mantle.

Common Opponents

In recent times, they have faced common opponents but in different weight categories and at different stages of their careers. This makes it hard to discern what those victories mean when comparing them.  Mayweather’s close defeat over a slightly faded Oscar DeLaHoya was probably more impressive than the beating Pacquiao dished out to a very faded version of the Golden Boy. But Pacquiao’s one sided annihilation of Ricky Hatton was probably more impressive than Mayweather’s masterful boxing display given Hatton was not in his optimal weight class when fighting Mayweather (and wasn’t considered a top 5 welterweight), and was when fighting Pacquiao (he was number one at 140lbs according to Ring Magazine). Both men have recorded victories over Juan Manuel Marquez, and while Mayweather’s was far more dominant, it should be remembered that Marquez was fighting at least 15lbs above his optimal weight when taking on the Pretty Boy, and was at his peak when fighting Pacquiao down at 130lbs. Yet a significant amount of observers felt Marquez deserved the nod in both fights with Pacquiao, making Mayweather’s one sided drubbing look that much better.

Floyd probably deserves the nod on this one however given the fact that he got to DeLaHoya and Hatton first and was so utterly dominant over Marquez that it would be hard to imagine a close fight at any weight.

Edge: Mayweather

Quality of Opposition

This is much easier win for Pacquiao. The Filipino has consistently taken on the top fighters in his weight division, and for the most part, beaten them decisively. He fought Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez at 130lbs, Ricky Hatton at 140lbs, and Oscar DelaHoya, Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey at 147lbs.  All of those fighters were either number one in their division, or at the very least top three (although ranking DeLaHoya at 147 was a little tricky). Compared to Mayweather’s victories over Arturo Gatti (probably not in the top five at 140lbs), Sharmba Mitchell (not in the top 5 at 147lbs), Zab Judah (who was coming off a loss), Carlos Baldomir (a fighter with 9 losses on his record and not a top 5 welterweight), Oscar DeLaHoya (not the number one at 154lbs) Ricky Hatton (who wasn’t a real welterweight) and Juan Manuel Marquez (who wasn’t anywhere near a welterweight), it is hard to make  the argument that Mayweather has consistently fought the best people available. His victory over Shane Mosley has done much to improve his standing as a welterweight given Mosley’s high ranking in the pound for pound list (Ring Magazine had him ranked 3rd behind Mayweather and Pacquiao previous to their fight), but it doesn’t really compare to the body of work Pacquiao has done.

Edge: Pacquiao

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Performance

Both men have beaten opponents decisively in their own particular style. Mayweather has out crafted and out slicked his opponents while Pacquiao has overwhelmed them with speed, power and movement. Pacquiao’s victories have been more emphatic but Mayweather’s have been more consistent. While Pacquiao has taken blows to give blows, Mayweather, with the exception of Shane Mosley, has barely taken a punch. Picking which man has been more dominant would be like asking whether Barack Obama was a better speaker than Anthony Robbins. But if forced to choose, you would probably have to go ever so slightly for the Pac Man. The sight of a former flyweight tearing his way through seven weight categories — a first in history — has been spectacular to say the least. Mayweather has dominated as he has traveled through five weight classes, but not with the same ruthlessness and not with the same dynamism. Pacquiao has been ruining fighters while Mayweather simply outclassing them. It is tough to call, but Pacquiao’s recent run will go down in history as one of the more remarkable feats in boxing.

Edge: Pacquiao

Final analysis: Pacquiao remains number one.

It must be remembered that this doesn’t mean Pacquiao should be favored over Mayweather should they fight. Styles make fights and it is quite possible that Mayweather has the perfect style and temperament to diffuse the Filipino’s speed and fistic bombs. What it does mean though, is that a fighter’s body of work and consistency against the best opponents available count more than a perfect record.

And if they fight, we’ll know once and for all.