If Pacquiao had never gone above 135 would he be considered as great as he is right now?

He'd still be an ATG, but he would definitely drop quite a few places on the list

 

Assuming he didn't lose? If he ruled lightweight for a decade on top of what he'd already done, he'd be in the discussion for GOAT.

Think about it...he'd already have a killer weight jumping resume, and would have the longest reign at an original 8 division in that division's history.

 

Of course not. Rising in weight is a big part of his legacy.

 

No

 

Would have saved him the embarrassment vs floyd

 

You're right. He'd be rated better.

He'd be the GOAT at lightweight, a five division champ, and wouldn't have the losses in this scenario. No fighter in history would have that combination of weight jumping and single weight dominance.

 

Considering pac is still around. He could of stayed at 135 for as long as he wanted. An still move up. An still accomplish all the titles

 

I'd have more respect from an ATG POV if he unified one or just two divisions as opposed to winning just one title in 8 weight classes accompanied by catching a foe at a certain weight. If belts didn't matter, why even fight for one?

Regardless I still got him as the most exciting fighter of this era.

 

Not even close.

People like to move the goal posts that’s all. Him taking on ODLH who just took floyd to an SD 10 months prior was much like Mikey taking on Spence, people were saying he’d be top 10 atg if he pulled it off because they thought he had no chance.

It’s just revisionist history.

It’s like if Loma came up to WW now and miraculously beat Crawford. They’ll be asking why don’t he come up to fight Canelo and forget that the guy is a LW. But make no mistake, him beating Crawford would be a far bigger achievement than cleaning up LW.

 

Being undisputed in a weak division is impressive, but it's also kind of pointless. I mean, ask yourself, are you SALIVATING at the thought of Lomachenko's fight against Commey or Lopez?

Were shaking with tension and nerves when Crawford was going for undisputed against the African guy whose name I can't even recall at the moment? Indongo!

I seriously doubt it.

Now imagine if Lomachenko signed to fight Pac next...

 

Lomachenko would be the GOAT.

 

We will have to agree to disagree. For me, I can't name a single ATG who didn't have a belt, nor didn't desire one from John L Sullivan to present.
Hagler Hearns I thought was for all the belts. So most I know don't say which belt: They say for the undisputed Champ! Also, I'm referring to an entire career not a specific timeframe or fight in one's career.

Again I'm just noticing how the greats like Marvin Hagler who felt they were important enough that he didn't want someone in his class talking they were champ. He went after and won WBC, WBA, IBF. I respect that. Then defended vs Hearns. Back then we didn't say belts, we said unified MW champ.
When Tommy took on Ray Leonard he was trying to capture a second belt, one had the WBC, the other WBA. Ray won, he now holds 2 belts.

Again, this is how I grew up as it pertains to boxing; It's about being called the champ. Not one of the champs.
I'm just old school I guess. I admire fighters like Tyson who said after beating Berbick, it wasn't good enough. He wanted to face the next champ and then---key word here sir! (UNIFY). That is my criteria for all time great. Not by how big the fight was, I respect your criteria, not agree with it.

I didn't consider LW as weak when Pac fought in that division. To my point about this thread, not about Loma or Commey. I'm sticking to this thread LW + Pac = equaled undefeated fighters & the lineal champ waiting to take on Pac. He took on David Diaz and that was the best fight to make for his legacy at 135? then split and move on up? Ok...

I don't hold Juan Diaz, Casamyor, Katsidis, Campbell for what occurred after Pac moved out of 135. I'm remembering how I felt when an undefeated Baby Bull called Pac out. Crazy come forward Katisdis the great bleeder was also undefeated...the lineal champ took him out, followed by Juan Marquez. Nothing weak about LW then. That is my opinion, but if you felt it was weak; OK, I guess... But again... at WW, an undefeated Paul WIlliams called him out. Sorry, I don't have any in my top 10 ATG that were champs--- at the same time someone else was.

4x Pac fought for multiple belts. He went 0-2-2 , that means something to me. (xcept that so-called diamond belt vs Cotto. I don't know what that is.)

Last, if I did agree, I'd have to question myself if I ever ask another boxer to fight for a title. Why? If it isn't worth Pac fighting to unify, then no one should ever. I wouldn't know when to use titles or when not to.