Do you think the boxing world is unfairly asking too much out of Manny Pacquiao?
Pacquaio both gained and lost many fans when he beat many of the Mexican legends, and some may have went to the Mayweather fan base to those who did not like the results. But there are many fans from Mexico and Puerto Rico who still loved Manny because of his "toe to toe, fight like a man, brawling style", which is the common type cast for Puerto Rican, Mexican, and Filipino boxers. Some were not turned off by the Pacquaio fans, many still remained a fan of him because of his exciting fights and his display of heart.
Pacquaio is one of the smallest welterweights in history, not since Henry Armstrong that a welterweight weighted 142 or 144 to fight at welterweight for title belts. Pacquaio’s weight of 148 on fight night vs Clottey & Cotto are all time lows for a welterweight for title fights. In fact, Timothy Bradley, Devon Alexander, Amir Khan, Marcos Maidana, and Paulie Malignaggi have all weighted more than 148 on fight night. Bradley and Alexander alone have weighted as much as 153 pounds in their last bouts at 140.
Indeed, Pacquaio is even a small fighter for 140, as he is naturally smaller than Alexander, Malignaggi, Bradley and most of the 140 pounders. Yet, many fans are asking him to fight elite 147 pounders like Mayweather Jr, Mosley, Berto, and even go up to 154 and fight Sergio Martinez or Paul Williams!
As Steward said, Pacquaio is still a natural light weight who gives up 10-15 pounds of weight to fight welterweights. His fight with Clottey was one of the largest weight gap in history outside the heavyweight division with over 15 pounds of difference. Cotto was also known to have weighted at least 10-15 pounds more than Pacquaio even with the 145 catch weight.
But why is this not good enough? Pacquaio never said he is the best or insulted any boxers he faces or hasn’t. Pacquaio has achieved 3 Ring Mag Fighter of the Year, 3 BWAA Fighter of the Year, and BWAA, Ring Mag and HBO Fighter of the Decade. Not since the great Evander Holyfield, Ali, and Frazier were able to accomplish these goals. Pacquaio won 7 titles in 7 divisions, jumped 11 divisions with 4 lineal belts, all world records, yet fans still expect more of him, like fighting Mayweather who is very talented and a naturally bigger fighter. Why does Pacquiao, one of the smallest welterweights in the 100 plus years of modern boxing history still have to fight 10-15 pounds of elite welterweight boxers or even junior middleweight boxers who could outweigh him by 25-30 pounds, and if he doesn’t fight him, then he is ducking?
Are we asking too much of Pacquaio and forgetting that he is already giving us legendary performances against the complexities of all odds?
This question was inspired by Joshua's email.
Please with all due respect no trolls or kids, only professional, adult, and mature answers. Thank you! :-)
Thumbs up to all the answerers!
@ SirVon1st, I respect your analysis as always, but to respond to your comments, many fans would rather see Pacquaio fight bigger guys than Bradley or Alexander who has not proven anything, that is exactly my question. Clottey and Cotto are ranked higher in the 2009 Ring Mag Top 100 than Bradley, Berto,or Alexander.
@ SuperJoe, Thank you for your comments. You made some enlightening statements, especially about how many U.S athletes are beloved all over the world while there is often a struggle for international fans to receive the same recognition. :-)
@SirVon, I would not mind Pacquaio fighting Bradley or Alexander, but the LV odds would be 10-1 or more in favor of Pacquiao more than the 3-1 odds vs Cotto or Hatton.I respect their talents but I just dont see them upsetting the odds. I see more dangerous fighters at 147 especially when Pacquiao is giving so much weight disadvantage.Thanks for your input. :-)
@ SirVon, I disagree with the catchweight sir, I absolutely did not support Manny fight Cotto at 145 if you read my old comments. But again, Leonard, Armstrong, Mayweather, Whitaker, De La hoya, Hopkins, Chavez Sr.,Joe Gans, Jersey Joe Walcott, McLarnin, Emile Griffith, Terry Norris,Johnny Tapia, Paulie Ayala, Roy Jones Jr, Felix Trinidad, etc, have all fought at catchweights for title fights, yet they seem not to be under the microscope. Why not bro?
@ blogbaba2, yes sir I do agree that respect may be more important than titles. :-)
@ SirVon, Sir, the boxing world is asking Pacquaio to fight Mayweather who is a true elite and a naturally bigger fighter more than fighting Cotto or Margarito, don't you find that a huge risk for Manny more than fighting Bradley or Alexander? My main question is, is the boxing world asking too much out of Manny? I am enjoying our debate by the way bro, you are making great sense much like Joe, blog, James, and Shaider so far. :-)
@ ALEX, thanks my friend! :-)
@ andre w, that was quite an impressive statement consider you are a Mayweather fan. great response.
@ jp, its unfortunate that people will always find ways to discredit someone.
@nepster, very well said my friend! :-)
@ Roscoe, thanks for the list, you made some brilliant examples, this is why I have massive respect for you! :-)