I think we are all priveliged to be witnessing 2 of the very best of all time!!

[BIG H]

I am as guily as anybody for placing older fighters in higher esteem than modern fighters, but if you really break it down there can be few that have a bigger claim to all time greats than PBF and PAC.

In just about any sport where athletitism is vital, sportsman are better now than ever before. Obviously due to many factors, but they obviously have the best diets, best technology etc. I think this applies in boxing probably more than any other sport.

I really do now feel that Pac and PBF are in absolutely in the same league as SRR, Willie Pepp, Henry Armstrong, Roberto Duran and Muhammad Ali.

Pac v PBF will be the biggest fight in history, I just hope that we get to see it!!

[belakbox]

I agree. These type of fighters come around once in a lifetime and it's a pleasure to watch.

Regardless of the outcome each deserves ATG status for their accomplishments. I don't think a loss for either diminishes their place among the ATG in least.

I was back and forth about who would win in a matchup between them but I have to give the strong edge to Pacquiao. His ability to improve is amazing. His defense last night was excellent. Combine that will his fierce offense and he's unstoppable.

[Darth_Simasu]

I absolutely agree.....I just posted a similar thread on whether users here think this will be the biggest fight since the 80's. In my opinion Leonard Vs Hagler is it's only real rival, prior to this you're looking at the days of Ali!

[rjj tszyu]

I absolutely agree.....I just posted a similar thread on whether users here think this will be the biggest fight since the 80's. In my opinion Leonard Vs Hagler is it's only real rival, prior to this your looking at the days of Ali!

I think Leonard vs Hearns I is up there too. That fight was huge back in the day. But yes I agree, we do have 2 ATG's here, I think PBF is above Pac but should the 2 not fight it would be a complete travesty to the sport.

[0james0]

Agree entirely.

That's what frustrates me when the old "if Ali fought ....... who would have won"

Modern boxers are perfectly conditioned, technology that people of 20 years ago could only dream of. Surely that gives them the edge? However you are only really judged on the people you beat and for some boxers there just weren't that many great boxers around in their era.

Now we have 2 genuine legends, you can tell that simply by the fact they are clearly a cut above when fighting.

I think we are now seeing Pacman in his peak, I did think PBF was now in decline, but going by his last fight, maybe not!

[0james0]

I absolutely agree.....I just posted a similar thread on whether users here think this will be the biggest fight since the 80's. In my opinion Leonard Vs Hagler is it's only real rival, prior to this your looking at the days of Ali!

I think Leonard vs Hearns I is up there too. That fight was huge back in the day. But yes I agree, we do have 2 ATG's here, I think PBF is above Pac but should the 2 not fight it would be a complete travesty to the sport.

The "undefeated" Mayweather vs Hatton fight was a pretty big one. So hyped, at the time as look forward to as the pac vs PBF.

It's only because Ricky got found out by PBF that the gloss fizzled out post fight.

[Darth_Simasu]

I absolutely agree.....I just posted a similar thread on whether users here think this will be the biggest fight since the 80's. In my opinion Leonard Vs Hagler is it's only real rival, prior to this your looking at the days of Ali!

I think Leonard vs Hearns I is up there too. That fight was huge back in the day. But yes I agree, we do have 2 ATG's here, I think PBF is above Pac but should the 2 not fight it would be a complete travesty to the sport.

The "undefeated" Mayweather vs Hatton fight was a pretty big one. So hyped, at the time as look forward to as the pac vs PBF.

It's only because Ricky got found out by PBF that the gloss fizzled out post fight.

Hatton Vs Mayweather deserves a mention but I never did rate Hatton as being an elite fighter. I thought at the time Hatton had a punchers chance because Mayweather had gone up in weight and we weren't certain if he could manage it (his win over an old ODLH wasn't enough for me). The problem here was that Hatton never really beat an elite fighter other than Tszyu who himself was past it and a lot of people thought he lost the Collazo fight where he was badly hurt. With Pacman and Mayweather there is no doubt they have proved their doubters wrong by beating what has been put infront of them as they climbed the weight classes.

[ICB]

The last time two of the top P4P fighters fought eachother, was in 1993 JCC vs Pernell Whitaker. I've been saying for awhile this is more Manny Pacquiao's natural weight, he was only a teenager fighting at the lower weight classes.

Infact Floyd Mayweather Jr isn't that much naturally bigger than Manny Pacquiao, remember Floyd Mayweather as a teenager was a Featherweight in the Amateurs, plus he couldn't make the Jr Middleweight limit when he fought ODLH.

To be honest Manny Pacquiao has looked unreal lately, but im not going to jump on the bandwagon too much. Even though Manny Pacquiao is an ATG lets not forget the improved Manny Pacquiao, had all he could handle vs JMM. And i still think Floyd Mayweather Jr is a bad style match up for him.

[0james0]

I still feel we need to see a couple more top fights for each, but looking around it looks like there is only one fight available that will increase their all time reputation -each other!

I still look through PBF's fight record and there isn't anyone on there I look at and think was either in peak condition or peak of their game, e.g:

All his big named wins have shadows around them. Gatti (past it), De la Hoya (past it), Hatton (not in peak), Marquez (weight issue/ difference)

But there is no doubt he does look great when he fights, especially the last fight. But I'd like to see him sticking that undefeated record on the line more against genuine tought challengers

[ICB]

I still feel we need to see a couple more top fights for each, but looking around it looks like there is only one fight available that will increase their all time reputation -each other!

I still look through PBF's fight record and there isn't anyone on there I look at and think was either in peak condition or peak of their game, e.g:

All his big named wins have shadows around them. Gatti (past it), De la Hoya (past it), Hatton (not in peak), Marquez (weight issue/ difference)

But there is no doubt he does look great when he fights, especially the last fight. But I'd like to see him sticking that undefeated record on the line more against genuine tought challengers

You could also say most of Manny Pacquiao's best wins, have shadows around them.

Erik Morales = Too many wars caught up to him, plus he had just got embarrassed by Zahir Raheem.

MAB = MAB had personal troubles outside the ring in the 1st fight, and in the rematch he was shot.

Ricky Hatton = Well you could say Manny Pacquiao, beat Ricky Hatton at his own weightclass. But he has for certain been on the slide for a few years.

Oscar Larios = Moved up 2 weightclasses to fight Manny Pacquiao.

ODLH = Weight drained mess.

Miguel Cotto = You could say he isn't the same since the Antonio Margarito fight, although i don't believe that.

You could nit-pick any record.

[0james0]

Yeah definatley agree with you.

I was kind of refering to the older generation of boxers and the quality of opponent they fought compared with now. Fight records littered with top fighters, not just 2 or 3.

Thats why for me that fight from Manny was a good one, fighting one of the best in the world in his peak. Despite losing, I still thought Cotto looked like he could have beaten most other fighters. It was a genuine test for Manny.

Can't take anything away from Floyd and the Hatton fight really, Hatton was still undefeated after all.

[paddy448]

The last time two of the top P4P fighters fought eachother, was in 1993 JCC vs Pernell Whitaker. I've been saying for awhile this is more Manny Pacquiao's natural weight, he was only a teenager fighting at the lower weight classes.

Infact Floyd Mayweather Jr isn't that much naturally bigger than Manny Pacquiao, remember Floyd Mayweather as a teenager was a Featherweight in the Amateur, plus he couldn't make the Jr Middleweight limit when he fought ODLH.

To be honest Manny Pacquiao has looked unreal lately, but im not going to jump on the bandwagon too much. Even though Manny Pacquiao is an ATG lets not forget the improved Manny Pacquiao, had all he could handle vs JMM. And i still think Floyd Mayweather Jr is a bad style match up for him.

i agree with icb on mayweather being a bad style matchup for manny, when cotto boxed on the back foot last night, and countered manny i thought he had alot of success, and with mayweathers style of fighting the best in the business as a backfoot counter puncher, i think he gives manny fits. i love manny, he is the way better offensive fighter than mayweather, but goin on a style basis i think mayweather wins

[C-Lo]

Great post Big H. I couldn't agree with you more. You can argue for either fighter on a best ever basis. Floyd could be the best defensive fighter ever and Manny could be the best offensive fighter ever.

Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather will be the biggest and most significant fight in boxing history IMO.

[JazMerkin]

I completely agree with H's post. Say what you like & try nitpick their records, but both of these guys are far & away the best of the past 25 years imo since the days of Leonards, Duran, Hagler & Hearns. I don't think Jones did enough for me to be on the level that these two are now on, not that he didn't have the talent.

Thinking about it, both are probably just within my Top 15 of all time right now, & whilst the winner would rise, the loser wouldn't drop because they're both just so good. Both have a good number of future hall of famers on their resume's. JMM & ODLH on both, Morales, MAB & Cotto for Pacquiao, with Corrales, Castillo & Genaro Hernandez for PBF & then you take into account possible HoFers like Gatti, Hatton & Sasakul. Say what you want, but those are better than pretty much anyone else currently out there. I think this outdoes even the Whitaker-Chavez fight because as much as I love Sweet Pea, I think these two are greater. This will be the defining fight for this generation & I can't wait.

[miron_lang]

The last time two of the top P4P fighters fought eachother, was in 1993 JCC vs Pernell Whitaker. I've been saying for awhile this is more Manny Pacquiao's natural weight, he was only a teenager fighting at the lower weight classes.

Infact Floyd Mayweather Jr isn't that much naturally bigger than Manny Pacquiao, remember Floyd Mayweather as a teenager was a Featherweight in the Amateurs, plus he couldn't make the Jr Middleweight limit when he fought ODLH.

To be honest Manny Pacquiao has looked unreal lately, but im not going to jump on the bandwagon too much. Even though Manny Pacquiao is an ATG lets not forget the improved Manny Pacquiao, had all he could handle vs JMM. And i still think Floyd Mayweather Jr is a bad style match up for him.

I just like to remind you that at age 25. yes 25 Manny Pacquiao is still at Featherweight or 126lbs.

He fought Marco Antonio Barrera and Juan Manuel Marquez back to back @126.

That's 40+ fights at 126 or below at age 25.... he's naturally small he's just a freak that power and speed follows him wherever he goes.