Better resume SRL or Pac?

I'm obviously not talking about guys who were around before the division was made.

Like I said earlier, Pacquaio was more than capable of jumping to 140 or 147 and nicking a decision off a faded great champion. He just nicked one off a faded Thurman at age 40. But there was no chance in hell of Leonard sticking around for 20-25 years and taking legitimate belts in as many weightclasses as Pac.

 

Because he was a welterweight champ

 

Both are legendary and you are right there are different kinds of circumstances and legends. The ones who fight everyone like Manny and then others who make the big scene and fight the great guys by luck in exciting fights like Ray. Both are great. Manny might have one of the best resumes in history. It really has been incredible. Sometimes I think guys should retire where Manny is now. That one extra fight where he is stopped by someone like a Spence does hurt the legacies somewhat, and it is not fair.

 

I never said Ray was totally faded. But yes, he was certainly past his best after 3 years of inactivity and his poor showing against Howard.

 

Does Thurman compare to Hagler?

Again, how could Ray have even have fought in the same amount of weight classes as Manny?

Engage your brain.

 

They were both past their best, but Marvin had many more miles on the clock.

 

Cervantes was an aging champion whereas Tszyu and Castillo were in the prime of life, were they?

 

Tsyzu was pfp, unified and favored. Cervantes was overcooked by comparison. Destroying Castillo is a nice supporting cast win for a resume.

 

And that to you means prime?

 

It's very tempting to say that because Leonard has top tier scalps but when you really think about it Manny has significantly better depth, and with the exception of the Marquez fights, he tends to win more decisively.

Manny Has:

Barerra 2X
Morales 2X
Marquez 3X
De la Hoya
Mosley
Cotto
Margarito
Hatton
Thurman
Broner
Bradley 2X
Matthyse
Diaz

SRL:

Duran 2X
Hagler
Hearns
Benitez
Kalule
Lalonde

SRL's win over Hagler is not without controversy as was the 3rd installment of Pacquaio vs Marquez. Mosley and De la Hoya were old but Manny was also old when he beat Matthyse, Broner and Thurman.

Sugar Ray Leonard has one of the flashiest top shelf wins in boxing history, but Manny has so many wins over future HOF fighters/ATG fighters and when you consider how many top tier wins were done in succession:

Barrera II, Marquez II, Diaz, De la Hoya, Hatton, Cotto, Clottey, Margarito, Mosley, Marquez III (in a 4 year time frame).

To me it bridges the gap.

I pick Manny.