Manny Pacquiao sometimes we forget just how good he really is

[Saddo]

just watched this it brought back some great memories and reminded me of some big debates

[generalbulldog]

No doubt, an atg. At least top 30 in boxing history and 1 of the greatest southpaws in the sport.


Hmmmm......where is hornfinger to derail this thread?

[CFH]

I really need to watch Pac - JMM I.

Pacquiao is an amazing talent. He doesn't have as much skill as someone like Mayweather, but his desire to fight the best and his incredible tenacity makes him the best fighter of this generation.

Top 20 ATG without a doubt.

[Master]

I was not a believer until he smashed Cotto, I know, I was pretty late but he looked limited against JMM and thought the other fighters would be too big for him. Still think Floyd will beat him.

[:::PSL:::]

I've never seen that vid. That one is well updated.

Good find El hefe!

[Taeth]

He definitely has some good skills, but Mayweather will show the world next year if he isn't thrown in jail for too long who the real top 10 p4p fighter of all time is, in this generation. He would maybe Cotto and Margarito look like fools in the right, same with CLottey. It's just too bad he will never get a chance. I actually think the better boxers have proven that Pacquiao's boxing ability isn't that good, I mean Cotto was outboxing him until he was worn out from damage, but who knows what would have happened with pre-Margarito Cotto. I don't think it took away from Cotto's speed and timing, but it did affect his power and chin.

[DaxxKahn]

just watched this it brought back some great memories and reminded me of some big debates

Crazy thing is as you watch the fights and the years progress he gets better and better each time out....There is no such thing as an "OK" performance from Manny Pacquiao...He is just going to go all out in the best style he can...Plus he has started to use defense...Man the longer Floyd waits to fight him the worse it gets for Floyd

[rjj tszyu]

Awesome, awesome fighter. The fight with Mayweather just has to happen. If not it will be the greatest fight not to happen in boxing IMO. I still think Mayweather would be too much for Pac though. Manny was in 2 great battles against the second best counter puncher in the world in Marquez!! Mayweathers counter punching genius for me is where Mayweather will take control and I truly feel that if the fight does happen it will be Mayweathers last so he'll look to go out on a high and leave the sport on his most convincing win over the man that a lot of people feel will beat him.

This fight MUST happen for the sake of boxing, only thing is, what do we look forward to after it does??

[Taeth]

just watched this it brought back some great memories and reminded me of some big debates

Crazy thing is as you watch the fights and the years progress he gets better and better each time out....There is no such thing as an "OK" performance from Manny Pacquiao...He is just going to go all out in the best style he can...Plus he has started to use defense...Man the longer Floyd waits to fight him the worse it gets for Floyd

Oscar Larios? Jorge Solis? I agree Manny has looked better and better, but I think part of that is effective strategic planning on the part of Roach and Arum.

Oscar was shot when he faced Manny because for whatever reason he couldn't rehydrate. Cotto wasn't the same offensive force he was a few years before, and Clottey's style was tailor made for Manny to beat. I think they had the perfect strategy to beat Hatton. Now I think Manny has to be a great fighter to accomplish what he did, but he definitely had circumstantial advantages when he faced them.

Not to what you wrote, but what somebody else did. I simply think Floyd didn't want to fight in 2010 again. The more he has been in the spotlight, the more it seems Floyd gets stressed out by it. Across his whole career there have been times where he has been less dedicated to fighting often than necessarily the opponents he has foughten. I think Mayweather has faced plenty of opposition, clearly not like Manny has, but Floyd has beaten at least 8 future hall of famers. That is more than almost anyone else except Manny of this era.

[DaxxKahn]

just watched this it brought back some great memories and reminded me of some big debates

Crazy thing is as you watch the fights and the years progress he gets better and better each time out....There is no such thing as an "OK" performance from Manny Pacquiao...He is just going to go all out in the best style he can...Plus he has started to use defense...Man the longer Floyd waits to fight him the worse it gets for Floyd

Oscar Larios? Jorge Solis? I agree Manny has looked better and better, but I think part of that is effective strategic planning on the part of Roach and Arum.

Oscar was shot when he faced Manny because for whatever reason he couldn't rehydrate. Cotto wasn't the same offensive force he was a few years before, and Clottey's style was tailor made for Manny to beat. I think they had the perfect strategy to beat Hatton. Now I think Manny has to be a great fighter to accomplish what he did, but he definitely had circumstantial advantages when he faced them.

Not to what you wrote, but what somebody else did. I simply think Floyd didn't want to fight in 2010 again. The more he has been in the spotlight, the more it seems Floyd gets stressed out by it. Across his whole career there have been times where he has been less dedicated to fighting often than necessarily the opponents he has foughten. I think Mayweather has faced plenty of opposition, clearly not like Manny has, but Floyd has beaten at least 8 future hall of famers. That is more than almost anyone else except Manny of this era.

Well yes you have valid points with the oppponents Manny faced and how they were choosen but the same can be said for Floyd...They both have some really big names they made sure they caught at the right time...I agree with Floyd being stressed out by the media but then again he seeks the media out? Kind of catch 22?....Floyd is stressed by the media because he is not really sure how to act.....

Inj truth nif Floyd was just "FLOYD" the Floyd I have met away from fans the Floyd that is known to give back to his community the guy would the this era most popular fighter....Floyd does not likie the villan role just with the way he gets around the media it is one that he finds easier to play

[Taeth]

just watched this it brought back some great memories and reminded me of some big debates

Crazy thing is as you watch the fights and the years progress he gets better and better each time out....There is no such thing as an "OK" performance from Manny Pacquiao...He is just going to go all out in the best style he can...Plus he has started to use defense...Man the longer Floyd waits to fight him the worse it gets for Floyd

Oscar Larios? Jorge Solis? I agree Manny has looked better and better, but I think part of that is effective strategic planning on the part of Roach and Arum.

Oscar was shot when he faced Manny because for whatever reason he couldn't rehydrate. Cotto wasn't the same offensive force he was a few years before, and Clottey's style was tailor made for Manny to beat. I think they had the perfect strategy to beat Hatton. Now I think Manny has to be a great fighter to accomplish what he did, but he definitely had circumstantial advantages when he faced them.

Not to what you wrote, but what somebody else did. I simply think Floyd didn't want to fight in 2010 again. The more he has been in the spotlight, the more it seems Floyd gets stressed out by it. Across his whole career there have been times where he has been less dedicated to fighting often than necessarily the opponents he has foughten. I think Mayweather has faced plenty of opposition, clearly not like Manny has, but Floyd has beaten at least 8 future hall of famers. That is more than almost anyone else except Manny of this era.

Well yes you have valid points with the oppponents Manny faced and how they were choosen but the same can be said for Floyd...They both have some really big names they made sure they caught at the right time...I agree with Floyd being stressed out by the media but then again he seeks the media out? Kind of catch 22?....Floyd is stressed by the media because he is not really sure how to act.....

Inj truth nif Floyd was just "FLOYD" the Floyd I have met away from fans the Floyd that is known to give back to his community the guy would the this era most popular fighter....Floyd does not likie the villan role just with the way he gets around the media it is one that he finds easier to play

I think Floyd realizes it makes him more money, but it probably also stresses the shit out of him always maintaining that facades, and we can see that it probably has become part of who he is, but I am guessing he probably hates that fact deep down, I don't see how anyone could like being that person.

I honestly think that while Floyd hasn't had the big names that Pacquiao has had during his career that Floyd hasn't sculpted his career the way some would have you believe. I just think people ignore facts

130- Floyd fought Hernandez and Corrales the two most dangerous guys at that weight.
135- FLoyd should have foughten Casamayor, but he fought a better fighter in Castillo, and fought him twice.
140- Floyd fought Gatti who more people than would be willing to admit thought would present problems for Floyd, but Tszyu wouldn't fight Floyd, and I honestly think Floyd already had Oscar in his sights and knew time was running out.
147- Floyd fought Judah because they were friends I think this was planned long before Judah lost to Baldomir, but Floyd I think felt it would be a good money making fight for him.
Then he fought Baldomir for the same amount of money he would have received against Margarito whom nobody knew about at that point, and Floyd was fighting the linear welterweight champion of the world, and if you look back at magazines and Emmanuel Steward they thought this would be an extremely difficult fight for Floyd to win.
154- Floyd fought Oscar after Oscar disposed of Mayorga in a devastating fashion in the worst beat down of Mayorga's life. Later even Mosley who would go on to KO Margarito didn't look anywhere near as good in stopping Mayorga. Anyways, back to my point Oscar who IMO was far better than given credit for at that time gave one of the best performances of his career, and was far better opponent then Margarito who was beaten by Paul Williams around then.
back to 147
-Paul Williams wasn't well enough known, Cotto was about to face Mosley and had beaten up Judah, but in a fight he looked very vulnerable in. Hatton p4p was the best option for Floyd, and yes Hatton was bigger than Floyd on fightnight, and Floyd beat Hatton at his game. He stood in the pocket and outboxed Hatton on the inside.
-retirement I think Floyd honestly needed a break and he was stressed out then for hte same reasons beforementioned.
-I think Marquez was a difficult guy to come back against, and the best guy outside of Pacquiao in the sport. I think the size and everyone were blown out of proportion as Floyd wasn't that much bigger than Marquez in the ring, he was about 4 pounds heavier and an inch or two taller, I think it was Floyd's skill against that particular style that showed just how good Floyd really is.
-Then Floyd faced Mosley who many, many people felt would beat the crap out of Pacquiao, and IMO he still would give Pacquiao one hell of a run for his money, but besides being hurt early I think Floyd showed that he was vastly superior to a guy most people overestimated, at least in comparison to Floyd.

I think Floyd's career has been plagued with his victories being underappreciated, just like his opponents. The time and place Pacquiao beat his opponents never seems to get mentioned while Floyd's are constantly brought up. Pacquiao fought an older Barrera, Morales, and Marquez. He fought Cotto after Margarito, and Hatton after Mayweather. He faced a De La Hoya who wasn't there physically and a Clottey who wasn't there mentally(not just against him though). I still think Manny is amazing, but the stars aligned just right for his career to look the way it has. Floyd would have come out the same amount of fights with Barrera, Morales, and Marquez with no defeats and would be called the greatest 130 pounder ever. I think Pacquiao beats all the same opponents he faced except De La Hoya in their prime, but I think Floyd beats them worse.

People want to talk about Pacquiao starting his career at 16, but that was against crap, Floyd at that age was facing the best amateurs in the states. If Floyd had been allowed and wanted to go pro at 15-16 he would have as many belts in as many weight classes as Manny has.

[reinvaldez]

We have different views on Manny Pacquiao as a fighter. He has experienced both losing and winning on his career. Some says he's the best and some he's not.

As I though that he has been so good on accepting new challenges on his career. Whatever downfall, he always stand out inorder to surpass it and look at him today. He's one of the best fighter. Also, he managed his money earnings very well.

[generalbulldog]

just watched this it brought back some great memories and reminded me of some big debates

Crazy thing is as you watch the fights and the years progress he gets better and better each time out....There is no such thing as an "OK" performance from Manny Pacquiao...He is just going to go all out in the best style he can...Plus he has started to use defense...Man the longer Floyd waits to fight him the worse it gets for Floyd

Oscar Larios? Jorge Solis? I agree Manny has looked better and better, but I think part of that is effective strategic planning on the part of Roach and Arum.

Oscar was shot when he faced Manny because for whatever reason he couldn't rehydrate. Cotto wasn't the same offensive force he was a few years before, and Clottey's style was tailor made for Manny to beat. I think they had the perfect strategy to beat Hatton. Now I think Manny has to be a great fighter to accomplish what he did, but he definitely had circumstantial advantages when he faced them.

Not to what you wrote, but what somebody else did. I simply think Floyd didn't want to fight in 2010 again. The more he has been in the spotlight, the more it seems Floyd gets stressed out by it. Across his whole career there have been times where he has been less dedicated to fighting often than necessarily the opponents he has foughten. I think Mayweather has faced plenty of opposition, clearly not like Manny has, but Floyd has beaten at least 8 future hall of famers. That is more than almost anyone else except Manny of this era.

Well yes you have valid points with the oppponents Manny faced and how they were choosen but the same can be said for Floyd...They both have some really big names they made sure they caught at the right time...I agree with Floyd being stressed out by the media but then again he seeks the media out? Kind of catch 22?....Floyd is stressed by the media because he is not really sure how to act.....

Inj truth nif Floyd was just "FLOYD" the Floyd I have met away from fans the Floyd that is known to give back to his community the guy would the this era most popular fighter....Floyd does not likie the villan role just with the way he gets around the media it is one that he finds easier to play

I think Floyd realizes it makes him more money, but it probably also stresses the shit out of him always maintaining that facades, and we can see that it probably has become part of who he is, but I am guessing he probably hates that fact deep down, I don't see how anyone could like being that person.

I honestly think that while Floyd hasn't had the big names that Pacquiao has had during his career that Floyd hasn't sculpted his career the way some would have you believe. I just think people ignore facts

130- Floyd fought Hernandez and Corrales the two most dangerous guys at that weight.
135- FLoyd should have foughten Casamayor, but he fought a better fighter in Castillo, and fought him twice.
140- Floyd fought Gatti who more people than would be willing to admit thought would present problems for Floyd, but Tszyu wouldn't fight Floyd, and I honestly think Floyd already had Oscar in his sights and knew time was running out.
147- Floyd fought Judah because they were friends I think this was planned long before Judah lost to Baldomir, but Floyd I think felt it would be a good money making fight for him.
Then he fought Baldomir for the same amount of money he would have received against Margarito whom nobody knew about at that point, and Floyd was fighting the linear welterweight champion of the world, and if you look back at magazines and Emmanuel Steward they thought this would be an extremely difficult fight for Floyd to win.
154- Floyd fought Oscar after Oscar disposed of Mayorga in a devastating fashion in the worst beat down of Mayorga's life. Later even Mosley who would go on to KO Margarito didn't look anywhere near as good in stopping Mayorga. Anyways, back to my point Oscar who IMO was far better than given credit for at that time gave one of the best performances of his career, and was far better opponent then Margarito who was beaten by Paul Williams around then.
back to 147
-Paul Williams wasn't well enough known, Cotto was about to face Mosley and had beaten up Judah, but in a fight he looked very vulnerable in. Hatton p4p was the best option for Floyd, and yes Hatton was bigger than Floyd on fightnight, and Floyd beat Hatton at his game. He stood in the pocket and outboxed Hatton on the inside.
-retirement I think Floyd honestly needed a break and he was stressed out then for hte same reasons beforementioned.
-I think Marquez was a difficult guy to come back against, and the best guy outside of Pacquiao in the sport. I think the size and everyone were blown out of proportion as Floyd wasn't that much bigger than Marquez in the ring, he was about 4 pounds heavier and an inch or two taller, I think it was Floyd's skill against that particular style that showed just how good Floyd really is.
-Then Floyd faced Mosley who many, many people felt would beat the crap out of Pacquiao, and IMO he still would give Pacquiao one hell of a run for his money, but besides being hurt early I think Floyd showed that he was vastly superior to a guy most people overestimated, at least in comparison to Floyd.

I think Floyd's career has been plagued with his victories being underappreciated, just like his opponents. The time and place Pacquiao beat his opponents never seems to get mentioned while Floyd's are constantly brought up. Pacquiao fought an older Barrera, Morales, and Marquez. He fought Cotto after Margarito, and Hatton after Mayweather. He faced a De La Hoya who wasn't there physically and a Clottey who wasn't there mentally(not just against him though). I still think Manny is amazing, but the stars aligned just right for his career to look the way it has. Floyd would have come out the same amount of fights with Barrera, Morales, and Marquez with no defeats and would be called the greatest 130 pounder ever. I think Pacquiao beats all the same opponents he faced except De La Hoya in their prime, but I think Floyd beats them worse.

People want to talk about Pacquiao starting his career at 16, but that was against crap, Floyd at that age was facing the best amateurs in the states. If Floyd had been allowed and wanted to go pro at 15-16 he would have as many belts in as many weight classes as Manny has.

The bolded part doesn't make sense especially when you said Pac fought an older version of Marquez. So the Marquez Pac fought in '04 and '08 is an older version than the one Floyd fought last year? The Morales victories can be questioned, but not he Barrerra one. Barrera was either top 3 or 5 p4p and on a 9 or 10 fight win streak at the time. Althought Barrera was not in his absolute prime, he wasn't that far remove from it, he was still good enough to beat Morales the 3rd fight who would go on to beat Pac later in their 1st fight. So i don't know how anyone can question the legitimacy of that win.

And at 15-16 he fought shit opponents, because maybe he didn't have an amateur career? Regardless, he still became a lineal champ at flyweight as a 19 year old teenager. In fact there is maybe 3 or 4 other guys in boxing history to accomplish that feat, to become the man at a division in their teenage years. That is one hell of an accomplishment at that age.

[DaxxKahn]

just watched this it brought back some great memories and reminded me of some big debates

Crazy thing is as you watch the fights and the years progress he gets better and better each time out....There is no such thing as an "OK" performance from Manny Pacquiao...He is just going to go all out in the best style he can...Plus he has started to use defense...Man the longer Floyd waits to fight him the worse it gets for Floyd

Oscar Larios? Jorge Solis? I agree Manny has looked better and better, but I think part of that is effective strategic planning on the part of Roach and Arum.

Oscar was shot when he faced Manny because for whatever reason he couldn't rehydrate. Cotto wasn't the same offensive force he was a few years before, and Clottey's style was tailor made for Manny to beat. I think they had the perfect strategy to beat Hatton. Now I think Manny has to be a great fighter to accomplish what he did, but he definitely had circumstantial advantages when he faced them.

Not to what you wrote, but what somebody else did. I simply think Floyd didn't want to fight in 2010 again. The more he has been in the spotlight, the more it seems Floyd gets stressed out by it. Across his whole career there have been times where he has been less dedicated to fighting often than necessarily the opponents he has foughten. I think Mayweather has faced plenty of opposition, clearly not like Manny has, but Floyd has beaten at least 8 future hall of famers. That is more than almost anyone else except Manny of this era.

Well yes you have valid points with the oppponents Manny faced and how they were choosen but the same can be said for Floyd...They both have some really big names they made sure they caught at the right time...I agree with Floyd being stressed out by the media but then again he seeks the media out? Kind of catch 22?....Floyd is stressed by the media because he is not really sure how to act.....

Inj truth nif Floyd was just "FLOYD" the Floyd I have met away from fans the Floyd that is known to give back to his community the guy would the this era most popular fighter....Floyd does not likie the villan role just with the way he gets around the media it is one that he finds easier to play

I think Floyd realizes it makes him more money, but it probably also stresses the shit out of him always maintaining that facades, and we can see that it probably has become part of who he is, but I am guessing he probably hates that fact deep down, I don't see how anyone could like being that person.

I honestly think that while Floyd hasn't had the big names that Pacquiao has had during his career that Floyd hasn't sculpted his career the way some would have you believe. I just think people ignore facts

130- Floyd fought Hernandez and Corrales the two most dangerous guys at that weight.
135- FLoyd should have foughten Casamayor, but he fought a better fighter in Castillo, and fought him twice.
140- Floyd fought Gatti who more people than would be willing to admit thought would present problems for Floyd, but Tszyu wouldn't fight Floyd, and I honestly think Floyd already had Oscar in his sights and knew time was running out.
147- Floyd fought Judah because they were friends I think this was planned long before Judah lost to Baldomir, but Floyd I think felt it would be a good money making fight for him.
Then he fought Baldomir for the same amount of money he would have received against Margarito whom nobody knew about at that point, and Floyd was fighting the linear welterweight champion of the world, and if you look back at magazines and Emmanuel Steward they thought this would be an extremely difficult fight for Floyd to win.
154- Floyd fought Oscar after Oscar disposed of Mayorga in a devastating fashion in the worst beat down of Mayorga's life. Later even Mosley who would go on to KO Margarito didn't look anywhere near as good in stopping Mayorga. Anyways, back to my point Oscar who IMO was far better than given credit for at that time gave one of the best performances of his career, and was far better opponent then Margarito who was beaten by Paul Williams around then.
back to 147
-Paul Williams wasn't well enough known, Cotto was about to face Mosley and had beaten up Judah, but in a fight he looked very vulnerable in. Hatton p4p was the best option for Floyd, and yes Hatton was bigger than Floyd on fightnight, and Floyd beat Hatton at his game. He stood in the pocket and outboxed Hatton on the inside.
-retirement I think Floyd honestly needed a break and he was stressed out then for hte same reasons beforementioned.
-I think Marquez was a difficult guy to come back against, and the best guy outside of Pacquiao in the sport. I think the size and everyone were blown out of proportion as Floyd wasn't that much bigger than Marquez in the ring, he was about 4 pounds heavier and an inch or two taller, I think it was Floyd's skill against that particular style that showed just how good Floyd really is.
-Then Floyd faced Mosley who many, many people felt would beat the crap out of Pacquiao, and IMO he still would give Pacquiao one hell of a run for his money, but besides being hurt early I think Floyd showed that he was vastly superior to a guy most people overestimated, at least in comparison to Floyd.

I think Floyd's career has been plagued with his victories being underappreciated, just like his opponents. The time and place Pacquiao beat his opponents never seems to get mentioned while Floyd's are constantly brought up. Pacquiao fought an older Barrera, Morales, and Marquez. He fought Cotto after Margarito, and Hatton after Mayweather. He faced a De La Hoya who wasn't there physically and a Clottey who wasn't there mentally(not just against him though). I still think Manny is amazing, but the stars aligned just right for his career to look the way it has. Floyd would have come out the same amount of fights with Barrera, Morales, and Marquez with no defeats and would be called the greatest 130 pounder ever. I think Pacquiao beats all the same opponents he faced except De La Hoya in their prime, but I think Floyd beats them worse.

People want to talk about Pacquiao starting his career at 16, but that was against crap, Floyd at that age was facing the best amateurs in the states. If Floyd had been allowed and wanted to go pro at 15-16 he would have as many belts in as many weight classes as Manny has.

Some good points, some so so and some just what anyother fighter would have /should have done in his situation so it matters none....But I agree on the fact whe it comes to the role he has brought himself into.....As for opponents...If you ever look at shit I post about Floyds resume I alwys add (Floyd has not fought a dangerous opp since his days at 135" meaning since those days he has fought good fighters but he also knew it was the right time to go after them....No so much a bad thing as it has happened through the history of boxing..

[InTheNeutralCorner]

just watched this it brought back some great memories and reminded me of some big debates

Crazy thing is as you watch the fights and the years progress he gets better and better each time out....There is no such thing as an "OK" performance from Manny Pacquiao...He is just going to go all out in the best style he can...Plus he has started to use defense...Man the longer Floyd waits to fight him the worse it gets for Floyd

Oscar Larios? Jorge Solis? I agree Manny has looked better and better, but I think part of that is effective strategic planning on the part of Roach and Arum.

Oscar was shot when he faced Manny because for whatever reason he couldn't rehydrate. Cotto wasn't the same offensive force he was a few years before, and Clottey's style was tailor made for Manny to beat. I think they had the perfect strategy to beat Hatton. Now I think Manny has to be a great fighter to accomplish what he did, but he definitely had circumstantial advantages when he faced them.

Not to what you wrote, but what somebody else did. I simply think Floyd didn't want to fight in 2010 again. The more he has been in the spotlight, the more it seems Floyd gets stressed out by it. Across his whole career there have been times where he has been less dedicated to fighting often than necessarily the opponents he has foughten. I think Mayweather has faced plenty of opposition, clearly not like Manny has, but Floyd has beaten at least 8 future hall of famers. That is more than almost anyone else except Manny of this era.

Well yes you have valid points with the oppponents Manny faced and how they were choosen but the same can be said for Floyd...They both have some really big names they made sure they caught at the right time...I agree with Floyd being stressed out by the media but then again he seeks the media out? Kind of catch 22?....Floyd is stressed by the media because he is not really sure how to act.....

Inj truth nif Floyd was just "FLOYD" the Floyd I have met away from fans the Floyd that is known to give back to his community the guy would the this era most popular fighter....Floyd does not likie the villan role just with the way he gets around the media it is one that he finds easier to play

I think Floyd realizes it makes him more money, but it probably also stresses the shit out of him always maintaining that facades, and we can see that it probably has become part of who he is, but I am guessing he probably hates that fact deep down, I don't see how anyone could like being that person.

I honestly think that while Floyd hasn't had the big names that Pacquiao has had during his career that Floyd hasn't sculpted his career the way some would have you believe. I just think people ignore facts

130- Floyd fought Hernandez and Corrales the two most dangerous guys at that weight.
135- FLoyd should have foughten Casamayor, but he fought a better fighter in Castillo, and fought him twice.
140- Floyd fought Gatti who more people than would be willing to admit thought would present problems for Floyd, but Tszyu wouldn't fight Floyd, and I honestly think Floyd already had Oscar in his sights and knew time was running out.
147- Floyd fought Judah because they were friends I think this was planned long before Judah lost to Baldomir, but Floyd I think felt it would be a good money making fight for him.
Then he fought Baldomir for the same amount of money he would have received against Margarito whom nobody knew about at that point, and Floyd was fighting the linear welterweight champion of the world, and if you look back at magazines and Emmanuel Steward they thought this would be an extremely difficult fight for Floyd to win.
154- Floyd fought Oscar after Oscar disposed of Mayorga in a devastating fashion in the worst beat down of Mayorga's life. Later even Mosley who would go on to KO Margarito didn't look anywhere near as good in stopping Mayorga. Anyways, back to my point Oscar who IMO was far better than given credit for at that time gave one of the best performances of his career, and was far better opponent then Margarito who was beaten by Paul Williams around then.
back to 147
-Paul Williams wasn't well enough known, Cotto was about to face Mosley and had beaten up Judah, but in a fight he looked very vulnerable in. Hatton p4p was the best option for Floyd, and yes Hatton was bigger than Floyd on fightnight, and Floyd beat Hatton at his game. He stood in the pocket and outboxed Hatton on the inside.
-retirement I think Floyd honestly needed a break and he was stressed out then for hte same reasons beforementioned.
-I think Marquez was a difficult guy to come back against, and the best guy outside of Pacquiao in the sport. I think the size and everyone were blown out of proportion as Floyd wasn't that much bigger than Marquez in the ring, he was about 4 pounds heavier and an inch or two taller, I think it was Floyd's skill against that particular style that showed just how good Floyd really is.
-Then Floyd faced Mosley who many, many people felt would beat the crap out of Pacquiao, and IMO he still would give Pacquiao one hell of a run for his money, but besides being hurt early I think Floyd showed that he was vastly superior to a guy most people overestimated, at least in comparison to Floyd.

I think Floyd's career has been plagued with his victories being underappreciated, just like his opponents. The time and place Pacquiao beat his opponents never seems to get mentioned while Floyd's are constantly brought up. Pacquiao fought an older Barrera, Morales, and Marquez. He fought Cotto after Margarito, and Hatton after Mayweather. He faced a De La Hoya who wasn't there physically and a Clottey who wasn't there mentally(not just against him though). I still think Manny is amazing, but the stars aligned just right for his career to look the way it has. Floyd would have come out the same amount of fights with Barrera, Morales, and Marquez with no defeats and would be called the greatest 130 pounder ever. I think Pacquiao beats all the same opponents he faced except De La Hoya in their prime, but I think Floyd beats them worse.

People want to talk about Pacquiao starting his career at 16, but that was against crap, Floyd at that age was facing the best amateurs in the states. If Floyd had been allowed and wanted to go pro at 15-16 he would have as many belts in as many weight classes as Manny has.

Floyd has himself to blame for this. If he is going to be vocal about being the greatest and the number 1 in the planet, then his choice of opponents will be under strict scrutiny. He has to back up his claim. He will definitely be criticized if he is not going to fight the best.

If he hasn't been egocentric, then the boxing fans would have been more forgiving.