Elite fighters

[James_Teja]

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.

Those are good points but not complete. What's left out of the equation is promoters. JMM hasn't had a good promoter until he signed with GBP. He doesn't make as much, didn't get big fights lined up, etc. In fact he got $35k for Chris John. Some of his choices were the only available, not his first choice.

Pac however has had a top promoter and been the top priority for them. His fight with ODH was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Biggest payday, biggest recognition, biggest reward he could get. JMM would have taken Pac's road if he could have.

And no disrespect to JMM cause he's great, but Pac put him on his ass 4-0. So his case for winning the fights have at least 4 big holes in it.

If I were Pac I would say.... do we just keep fighting till you finally win?

Marquez and Golden Boy offered Pacquiao 6 million for a 3rd fight. What did Pac do? He said no. He took less money to move up and fight one of the weakest title holders in recent history David Diaz. But if you talk to a Pac groupie than you'll think David Diaz was Roberto Duran.

I wasn't aware that knock downs are what win fights. I always thought it was rounds won. All those knock downs did for Pac was win him 2 rounds. That's it.

Marquez and GB wanted a 3rd fight right away coz they knew they lost fairly. Plus Pac had problem making 130. JMM's camp only decided to move up to LW after Pac's win against D.Diaz.

They were 10-6 and 10-8 rounds. And that would indicate that Pac was landing harder and more effective punches.