Who is manny like

[marbleheadmaui]

Given the fight this coming weekend I thought I'd take a crack at putting Manny in some sort of historical perspective. One way to do that is to find fighter's whose resumes share major characteristics with Manny's I think there are two at the top of the list. But before we look at those two let me outline what I think are Manny's major accomplishments. Not in any order

1. Has won THE MAN championships in four divisions (in an era of 17 of them)
2. Has defeated highly ranked fighters across five of the original divisions and ten of today's
3. One of only 5-6 teenage champions in history
4. Has probably defeated HOFers on 5-7 occasions
5. Has over 50 wins

Now let's look at two guys from yesteryear.

Jimmy McLarnin-What does he share with Manny?
1. Defeated top ranked fighters from 112-147
2. Carried his power so well he won the undisputed 147 crown with a KO1. (Musta been the steroids)
3. Began as a teenager
4. Fifty or so career wins
5. Wins over HOFers on 10+ occasions

McLarnin is usually in folks top fifty all-time but not often above 30 or so. Here's the other guy.

Tony Canzoneri-What does he share with Manny?
1. Defeated top ranked fighters from 118-147
2. Was undisputed champion at 126, 135 and 140. Got a draw fighting for the undisputed 118 crown as a teenager. This was in a time of only ten divisions.
3. Carried his power so well he won the 135 crown with a KO1 and the 140 crown with a KO3. (Musta been the steroids)
4. Defeated HOFers on 10+ occasions
5. An unbelievable athlete who fought with his hands at his waist and his jaw thrust forward. He'd try to get you to throw and then counter the bejeezus out of you.
6. By the time he got to 147 he too was really undersized at 5'4 with a 68" reach.

Now Canzoneri finished with 137 wins, with over 30 over ranked guys and usually appears ranked in the 25-35 kind of range.

Just for some perspective on what Manny has done.