interesting to consider what would have happened, had Pac Man and Floyd fought a couple years back, when both were at their peak.
I can appreciate why many people believed Manny would win -- or at least had a very good chance of winning. I was not among them. In my interview with former champ Greg Haugen, I remember discussing that potential Super Fight. It's interesting that Greg and his good friend, the legendary Roberto Duran, both believed that Floyd would flatten Pacquiao in five rounds. Indeed, Mayweather's counter-right -- much faster and more powerful than Marquez's -- was the punch they were fully confident would end the fight.
Likewise, guys like Teddy Atlas and the late Manny Steward also felt that Floyd would dominate Pacquiao in the ring.
Haugen, Duran, and Atlas have all questioned the boxing community's near-instant decision to rank Pacquiao high, among boxing's all time greats. And, in fact, they all raise interesting points, including Team Pacquiao's very careful match-making (for example, Oscar de la Hoya was shot, and drained himself even more, to make weight), and his use of performance-enhancing substances.
Manny Stewart was definitely more generous in his praise of Pacquiao. However, he was not syrupy as the other HBO announcers: he was able to accurately note both Pac Man's many strengths, and the few flaws in his style.
I believe that Pacwquiao deserves solid recognition as one of the great fighters of this era; as a warrior who produced very real excitement in boxing; and as a champion who would have been able to compete with almost anyone his size in ring history. Is he equal to, say, the great Henry Armstrong? Jim Lampley says yes; Teddy Atlas says no. They are both right, in their own way. Pacquiao was, at his best, able to dominate a lot of top fighters -- including great ones -- and win titles in numerous divisions. Yet, Hammering Hank fought at a time when there were only eight titles; he held three at once, in three of the four most competitive divisions, and he really won the middleweight title. ( A pre-fight condition the champion demanded was that Armstrong could only win by KO, and that if he won on the scorcards, it would be ruled a draw. The champ could win by knockout or decision!) If one looks at Henry's record, the amount of fights-per-year he was engaged in is hard to believe. Plus, title fights were 15 rounds.
How would a prime Pacquiao have done with a prime Armstrong or Duran? People can make a case either way, and have fun debating such things. Likewise, putting him against a Hearns or Leonard makes for a fun imaginary fight. I think those guys would have beat Manny. But I am sure that a prime Sugar Ray Robinson, the greatest welterweight ever, would be the only guy who would have had a relatively easy time against Pacquiao. No shame in that.
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