The long-running saga that is Mayweather vs. Pacquiao has been debated three ways from Sunday at this point. It's a soap opera that might as well be titled "Pacweather" or "One Test to Take". Whether or not this fight ever takes place will not change the fact that both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are surefire, first-ballot Hall ofFamers. Both men will go down in boxing history among the all-time greats, regardless of how the rest of each fighter's career plays out. One question still remains, however...which man's legacy needs the fight more?
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have certainly taken different career paths to get this point.
Floyd grew up in a gym in Grand Rapids, Michigan as both his father, Floyd Sr., and uncles, Roger and Jeff, were professional fighters. Mayweather was bred to be a champion from an early age, winning numerous amateur titles before turning pro at the age of 19. Mayweather Sr. pushed Floyd so hard for so long that eventually, the two men became estranged and didn't speak for 9 years. And yet, Mayweather's career never suffered as he won his first world title at the age of 21 in his 18th pro fight, defeating the heavily favored Genaro Hernandez. Since that time, Mayweather has become the sport's biggest draw en route to a 41-0 record with championships in 5 weight divisions. At this point in his career, Mayweather fights when he wants to and has the power to set his own terms when he so chooses to fight. His September 17th clash with WBC welterweight champion Victor Ortiz will add to an already impressive resume that includes Angel Manfredy, Diego Corrales, Jesus Chavez, Jose Luis Castillo (twice), Arturo Gatti, Zab Judah, Carlos Baldomir, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez, and Shane Mosley.
Manny grew up in the slums of the Philippines with no money, but the drive to succeed in order to take care of his family. Pacquiao had a limited amateur career before turning pro at the age of 16 to make ends meet. He won his first 11 fights before being knocked out by Rustico Torrecampo in his flyweight debut. Manny would go on to win his next 15 fights before being stopped again by Medgeon Singsurat. After that, he jumped up three weight classes and over the next 15 fights, he went 13-0-2, fighting at both super bantamweight and featherweight. During that span, he earned a win over Mexican legend Marco Antonio Barrera, and one of his draws came against another Mexican great, Juan Manuel Marquez, who Pacquiao will be fighting for a 3rd time on November 12th. After a close unanimous decision loss to yet another Mexican legend, Erik Morales, at super featherweight, Pacquiao would go on to win 14 fights in a row with 8 of those victories during this current winning streak coming against future Hall of Famers Erik Morales (twice), Marco Antonio Barrera (again), Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, and Shane Mosley. If that wasn't enough, Manny has captured world titles in a record 8 different weight divisions, and before all is said and done, he may even venture into 9th division to try and capture a middleweight title.
There's no doubt that both men have made more money than they know what to do with, and both have achieved legendary status, but with all of those accolades, the question remains, whose legacy needs the fight more? Let's just hope that eventually we find out which of the two legacies will be further fulfilled inside the ring when, or should I say if, they finally face eacy other.
Feel free to email at dkassel@fighthype.com and let me know who you think needs the fight more for their legacy.
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