Boxing: Four Questions on the Road to Pound-for-Pound Supremacy

Four fighters, four nationalities, three weight classes, and one pound-for-pound king, this is the scenario that boxing fans from all places contemplate these days and, unlikely as it is, few others could fit the bill as well.

But, first, there are questions to ponder before it all unravels.

Manny Pacquiao

Pacquiao is the reigning pound-for-pound No. 1 and  the undisputed champion of the junior welterweights. The way he has been jumping up weight classes is only comparable to the way he pounds on opponents.

However, considering the way his last three opponents looked after the Filipino was done with them, one does get the feeling that the Pacman's abilities as a prizefighter are not being tested to their full extent.

The question is: Does such a statement say more about Pacquiao's quality as a fighter or that of his opponents?

Floyd Mayweather Jr.

Mayweather is the former undisputed pound-for-pound king and was able to achieve champion status as high up as super welterweight.

A supremely gifted boxer in the purest sense of the word, many say he hasn't lived up to expectations; however, his unblemished record and belt-wrapped waist serves as counterevidence.

The reason for the criticism: Mayweather failed to take on the biggest threats to his reign at welterweight.

The question is: What is the true motivation behind Mayweather's return, and is he focused enough on the non-business side of the sport in order to earn the unrefined respect his prizefighting quality, but not his record so far, commands?

Miguel Cotto

Cotto could be considered the the luckiest fighter of this quartet.

He lost a fight by taking a knee, two actually, a little more than a year ago. He comes off a controversial fight against Joshua Clottey, who tested him at all levels. Still, that lone loss bears an unofficial asterisk, maybe even in Cotto's own mind, and regarding his most recent fight, he did emerge victorious.

Furthermore, being signed to the same promoter as his next opponent certainly didn't hurt the Boricua's chances in getting that mega-fight signed.

The question is: Having proven to be a great welterweight, does Cotto have enough left in him at this point in his career to become the pound-for-pound king?

Juan Manuel Marquez

Of these four fighters, Marquez would have the longest, and maybe toughest, road to the pound-for-pound crown.  Recognition, fame, and big money arrived relatively late for the highly intelligent Mexican fighter.

In the end, his skills, adaptability, and determination have outdone the effect of unfortunate scorecards, some bad matchmaking, and even a few untimely knockdowns. As the Mexican saying goes, "You don't have to get there first, as long as you know how to get there."

The question is: Having gotten there and being labeled the underdog, can Marquez prove he belongs there with the big men, both figuratively and literally?

Ideally, the winners of Mayweather-Marquez and Cotto-Pacquiao would eventually square off in a winner-takes-all, pound-for-pound grand finale. 

But, for now, please don't even bother with trivial details like the weight and the purse negotiations for that potentially climactic battle.

Let's sit back, ponder the four questions, and then proceed to enjoy the sweet science at its best.

Let's give these warriors the benefit of the doubt, and let them settle the matter in the best way they know how to—with their fists.