Manny Pacquiao: How Does He Compare To The Greatest Fighters Ever
For every major fight since I can remember, a large group of my friends and family would gather together to witness our favorite pugilist’s face-off against one another.
We argue and debate statistics between bouts on the card, then cheer and groan during the main event.
Somehow the conversation always takes on a historical context, driven primarily by our more “seasoned” guests.
Now when I say “seasoned”, I don’t necessarily mean age. The knowledge of boxing and its history is extensive among my closest friends. We all vary in age from the littlest whom I say will be fighters one day to those who witnessed some of the sport’s greatest bouts first hand, like Ali vs. Frazier, while others wore boxing gloves themselves.
On the night of November 13, 2010 after Manny Pacquiao annihilated Antonio Margarito, a statement was made, “I wonder how Pacquiao would do against the great old school fighters.”
A good friend of mine promptly responded, “Pacquiao “is” old school. You see what he’s doing to other fighters? That’s what happens when old school meets current fighters.”
Interesting.....
Let’s examine that: Manny “ Pacman” Pacquiao and the 10 great old school fighters he resembles.
Aaron Pryor
1 of 11
Pryor was a light welterweight fighter in the late 70’s and 80’s. Like Manny, Pryor had tremendous punching power and a whirlwind offense which he used against top tier opposition through out his career including Nicaraguan boxing legend, Alexis Arguello. Pryor vs. Arguello 1982, would go down in history as the fight of the decade.
Julio Cesar Chavez
2 of 11
Chavez was known for his relentless stalking,body attacks and punching power. Pacquiao changed the entire momentum of the Margarito fight by Round 4, with a repetitively accurate straight left that broke Margarito's orbital bone and a debilitating left to the body, it’s fair to say we haven’t seen all of Manny’s offensive weapons. That left to Margarito's body had traces of Chavez written all over it.
Salvador Sanchez
3 of 11
Sanchez built a reputation for having super human stamina, taking several of his bouts all the way, absorbing large amounts of punishment while firing back with both hands. With virtually no amateur experience, Salvador went pro at the young age of 16, developing as a fighter while he built his professional resume. Pacquiao also began at a young age with very little experience and has grown as a fighter over his professional career. Manny's endurance remains one of his strongest attributes.
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Alexis Arguello
4 of 11
Like Manny, Arguello had a passion for politics and was eventually elected Mayor of Managua, the capitol city of Nicaragua, in 2008. Dubbed “El Flaco Explosivo”, Arguello had power that seemed to come from nowhere, a trait he definitely shares with the Filipino champion.
Jake La Motta
5 of 11
The “Raging Bull” famously portrayed by Roberto De Niro in the Martin Scorsese film, La Motta came from poverty and found boxing as a way to help provide for his family. La Motta was not hard to hit and would stand in the pocket to exchange punches, La Motta built a reputation for absorbing punishment. Later, his ability to take that punishment throughout his career was attributed to his unique way of rolling and deflecting power from his opponents’ punches, an ability Pacquiao has, but is highly underrated for.
Marvelous Marvin Hagler
6 of 11
Hagler, a southpaw, had a very unorthodox training regimen. Pushing himself to the brink and challenging even his road work, Marvin would run in army boots since he thought "running shoes" were for sissies. His dedication in the gym reflected in the ring, winning bouts with unbelievable tenacity and ability to impose his will. With the help of legendary trainer Freddie Roach, even Pacquiao's most chaotic training camps have produced great results.
Rocky Marciano
7 of 11
Rocky had tremendous punching power and even more heart. An all around athlete, Marciano is the only heavyweight to finish his career undefeated (49-0-43KO). Pacquiao has dug deep in many of his earlier bouts and shown the type of heart that makes up true champions. A bronze statue pays homage to Marciano in his home town of Brockton, MA.
Roberto Duran
8 of 11
Also known as “Manos de Piedra”, hands of stone, Duran could bring incredible damage to an opponent with either hand, many of his bouts going the distance, but making fighters pay every step of the way. Duran was regarded as a versatile brawler, loving to mix it up but underrated for his ability to out box his opponents. Duran handed Sugar Ray Leonard his first career loss in 1980 via UD in 15 rounds, proving a slick boxer doesn't always beat a brawler. Manny has definitely shown he can box just as well as he brawls.
Jack Dempsey
9 of 11
Dempsey was an aggressive two handed perpetual punching machine. His relentless all-action style earned him unprecedented popularity at that time. Dempsey was charismatic and adored by fans; Manny took a page right out of the Dempsey handbook.
Henry Armstrong
10 of 11
Pacquiao surpassed Armstrong's incredible record when he won his seventh championship in as many weight classes after he defeated Miguel Cotto in 2009. Armstrong was an elite fighter that would suffocate his opponents with relentless punches coming at all angles. A windmill of fury, Armstrong could overwhelm his opposition at will. Some say this was due to an abnormal heartbeat that gave him super human stamina. At this moment Manny resembles Armstrong the most, and history will undoubtedly remember both in the same regard.
Manny
11 of 11
My response to the statement “That’s what happens when great old school fighters meet current day fighters”, a resounding – Exactly!
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