Quote Originally Posted by Violent Demise View Post
The difference between recent opponents pretty much tells the difference between the fighters. Lets take a unbiased look.

Marquez came to the Lightweight division looking to face it's undisputed champion and top fighter. He found him in Joel Casamayor. It was a struggle but Marquez won and became the first man ever to stop the great Casamayor. If Nate Campbell would of made weight, i have no doubt Marquez would faced the winner of Campbell-Joan Guzman. Marquez could of sat on the sidelines or faced some stiff to just stay busy. But Marquez ain't like that. So he takes on the next available option. Juan Diaz. In Diaz's hometown. Any chance Marquez loses his title due to home judging goes out the window when Marquez becomes the first man ever to stop Diaz.

After getting his 2nd gift and than avoiding a 3rd fight with Marquez, Pacquiao moves to Lightweight. All the top fighters are available and waiting. Joel Casamayor, Nate Campbell, Juan Diaz and Joan Guzman. So are some of the 2nd tier fighters. Julio Diaz and Michael Katsidis. Pacquiao decides to face 3rd tier David Diaz. A fighter who won a vacant title from a non-champion. And had been stopped before by an average puncher. Predictaly Pac stops him. After being called out by Casamayor, Campbell, Marquez, Diaz and Edwin Valero. Pac decides to fight Oscar De La Hoya. A fight that looked to be dangerous on paper. But keep in mind Pac only took the fight cuz his trainer Freddie Roach had first hand knowledge on information nobody else knew. That Oscar was shot. So what first looked like a dangerous fight in reality was a cake walk. Cake walk indeed. Pac easily beats a De La Hoya who looked liked he would of easily lost to Ivan Calderon as well.

When you actually take the time and actually look at the facts the difference in fighters is obvious. One seeks the toughest opposition. The other would perfer to hand pick his opponents. And that's why Marquez is without a doubt pound for pound number 1.
You make some great points, but on the over hand JMM doesnt bring the financial clout PAC Hatton and other similar £££ making fighters do, which is one of the reasons JMM has done it the hard way over and over because he hasnt really got the luxury of hand picking opponents but he is an amazing fighter who is very impressive.