Manny Pacquiao vs. Pernell Whitaker

WBC and WBO welterweight champion Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao is the greatest offensive pugilist of his generation.

Pacquiao (52-3-2, 38 KOs), the first boxer to win ten world titles in eight different weight divisions, fortified that distinction with his recent demolitions of Antonio Margarito (38-7-0-1, 27 KOs), Joshua Clottey (35-4-0-1, 20 KOs), Miguel Cotto (35-2, 28 KOs), Ricky Hatton  (45-2, 32 KOs) and Oscar De La Hoya (39-6, 30 KOs).

Pacquiao’s tremendous blend of power, speed and spectacular footwork allows him to brutally batter his adversaries with seeming ease.

“Pac-Man,” who wasn’t been trumped since he lost a unanimous decision to Erik Morales (51-6, 35 KOs) in March 2005, was deservedly named “Fighter of the Decade” for the 2000s last January by the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA).

“Manny deserved to be the fighter of the decade,” said Roger “Pit” Perron, 73, a respected boxing trainer from Brockton (Mass.) who now works with Mike and Rich Cappiello at their gym, Cappiello Brothers Boxing and Training .

“It’s a good choice. He has dominated the action for a while now.”

In regard to style, International Boxing Hall of Famer “Sweet Pea” Pernell Whitaker was the polar opposite of Pacquiao in the ring.

Whitaker (40-4-1-1, 17 KOs), who captured a gold medal as a lightweight at the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, was absolutely a defensive wizard.

However, as indicated by his paltry knockout percentage, Whitaker was slightly below par as an offensive force despite his quick fists.

As the adage goes, styles make fights.

So, who would win a fantasy bout pitting the offensive-minded Pacquiao against the defensively superior Whitaker?

If the two southpaw legends fought on ten occasions, Pacquiao would somehow manage to penetrate Whitaker’s guard and emerge victorious via knockout approximately five times.

In two other contests, Pacquiao’s relentless assault would enable him to triumph decisively on all three judges’ scorecards.

In their remaining prizefights, “Sweet Pea” would counterpunch and slip his way to three conquests by points over Pacquiao.

No matter the ultimate outcome, Manny Pacquiao versus Pernell Whitaker would have been one of the great matches in the annals of boxing.