Manny Pacquiao’s nine round demolition of David Diaz Saturday night was one of the Filipino’s most impressive performances. Moving up five pounds in weight, Pacquiao lost none of the speed and power that made him the special fighter he was at super featherweight. Diaz was game throughout the contest, but is there really anyone on earth that can best Pacman in this stage of the 29 year old’s career?
Pacquiao’s dynamic performance has garnered him much deserved praise from both his fans and the boxing media. With Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s recent retirement, many are claiming that Pacquiao deserves the nod as the sport’s best fighter, pound for pound. I say otherwise.
While Pacquiao is hands down a top three pound for pound fighter, Joe Calzaghe and Kelly Pavlik have each done enough to warrant consideration for the sport’s kingpin position.
Calzaghe has been boxing’s hottest fighter of late, besting Mikkel Kessler and Bernard Hopkins in his two most recent bouts. Those career-best wins coupled with his ten year title run make him one of boxing’s top pugilists.
Pavlik is a wrecking machine. He obliterated Edison Miranda, and beat the very talented Jermain Taylor twice. Bernard Hopkins, Winky Wright, and Cory Spinks – all renowned champions – each had their crack at Taylor, and not one of the bunch could muster a win. Pavlik should be commended for his dominant efforts against the Arkansas native.
So what is there to separate the world’s three top fighters? When looking at pound for pound status, I consider a fighter’s talent, level of opposition, and past record. The boxer with the best combination of the three is the world’s greatest, regardless of weight class.
Pavlik, despite his immense talent, is not the pound for pound king because he’s yet to face enough solid opposition. Beating Jermain Taylor twice is impressive, but not enough to corroborate “king” standing.
So it comes down to Pacquiao and Calzaghe, and quite frankly, the choice is painfully difficult. After watching Pacquiao thump Diaz so soundly, how is it possible to vote against him? The answer lies in Calzaghe’s undefeated record – and the manner in which he achieved it.
Throughout his 15 year career, Calzaghe has run up a perfect 45-0 record, with 32 of those wins coming by knockout. Amongst the Wales native’s victims are former Olympian and champion Jeff Lacy, the ultra-talented Mikkel Kessler, and ring legend Bernard Hopkins. Calzaghe’s brutal beatings of Lacy and Kessler – two men who many picked to beat Calzaghe – are testaments to his immense aptitude.
Moreover, Calzaghe’s 21 defenses of his super middleweight throne – and his eventual capturing of the light-heavyweight championship – add to his credibility as one of the game’s greats.
Pacquiao’s accomplishments are equally impressive, but the fact that he has both a loss and a draw in the past four years hinders his position in the boxing world. Yes, he has faced better competition than Calzaghe, but against that competition, Pacquaio has not been utterly dominant; Juan Manuel Marquez gave the Filipino a run for his money in March. Conversely, Calzaghe has left no doubt in the minds of critics throughout his recent career.
With regards to talent, I see Pacquiao and Calzahge equally. Both have disturbingly fast hands, and each man has his own unique talents. Calzaghe would likely beat everyone in and around 175 pounds (save Kelly Pavlik – that fight would be a toss-up), and Pacquiao would likely beat everyone in and around 135 pounds.
The difference between the two comes down to a matter of opinion, and in my view, Calzaghe’s ring perfection, dominance, and longevity outweigh Pacquiao’s wins against better opposition. Had Pacquiao not lost to Erik Morales in 2005 and drawn with Marquez in 2004, he would be boxing’s emperor, but for now, I’ll take the man who’s yet to lose.
Questions, comments? Email me at editor@boxingherald.com.
Coming soon: BoxingHerald.com lead writer Brad Cooney's rebuttal.
Cooney: "Pacquiao is the best pound for pound fighter in the world."
