Can Pac Man be talked of on equal terms with Henry Armstrong now? After his devastating ko of Hatton is Manny as good as Homicide Hank was?
I don't think any fighter will EVER go past Armstrong's or Greb's accomplishments, simply because modern boxers don't fight as frequently as they did back then, once they're an established name. However, Pacquiao, without any doubt, is an all-time great. He was a 3:1 underdog against DeLa Hoya, but won every round and stopped him (something only a big middleweight in Hopkins did, and he's freaking featherweight), then completely annihilates Hatton in 2 rounds, which was seen as an even matchup going in. He beat those two easier than Mayweather, a bigger man, did.
I think that it's getting that way, yes. He's just won a title at 140, his first title was at 112. Plus, the champion he's just knocked out, probably ten pounds north of his best weight, was one of the most dominant champions in the world. Pacquiao as greater or as great? No. But a fair comparison? I think so.
Actually I'm going to say Pacquaio is not only becoming highly comparable, his wins are actually more impressive. I don't think most realise what a great fighter we are lucky enough to witness. Winning world titles from 112-122 was good enough to make him a near great. Then takes on Prime Barrera, maybe 1 of the best SBWs and FWs ever, 3 weight champ, P4P top 6 P4P and feather king, coming off wins over P4P Hamed and a win and robbery against Morales. Wins every round and stops him. This is better than anything Armstrong did at FW or LW. Then takes on FW unified titlist Marquez, future 3weight king, again 1 of the best feathers ever. Draws with him (could have gone either way). Then takes on Morales, another of the best SBW/FWs ever and loses but comes back to not only beat him but KO him twice. Fights a time passing fight against Larrios an ex 122lb champ with wins over Vasquez who only lost to him on a cut Then fights Barrera and Marquez again winning both. Then takes on much bigger men like Diaz, Delahoya, Hatton and not only beat them but completely dominated and stopped them all. Wasnt give a shot against Delahoya and did to DLH what no one else ever managed. Lets not forget DLH is considered a great WW, 6weight champ, and ex MW titlist. Lets not forget Hatton was LWW KIng, beat Tyszu, beat many LWW titlists, won a WW title and pushed Mayweather hard. Lets also not forget Pacquaio was far more dominant and impressive against Hatton and DLH than the bigger P4P no1 Mayweather and this is coming from a FMJ nutthugger. These are near supernatural wins in their manner His career is nothing short of spectacular. His wins, context and nature of them against Barrera, Hatton and Morales are some of the greatest of all time. No one else has fought the elite in so many weight classes. Pacquaios style has its weaknesses but so does Armstrongs for that matter and for the record I fancy Pacman to tae Armstrong in a H2H, too much speed, too sharp and accurate
I agree with this. Pacman might be the most accomplished fighter of his era. Unlike other great pound for pound talents such as Roy Jones, and Joe Calzaghe, Pacman does not seem to cherry pick opponets or make excuses when the decision does not go his way. If Pacman beats Mayweaher, I have no problem moving him into the pantheon of boxing best fighters.
I can't recall a fighter moving up the weights so much and appearing to be a bigger puncher as he moves up. He is fast , fairly slick , but he hits damn hard.
I am confident that when the dust settles, Paquiao will be talked about in the same sentance as the pound for pound greats of history.
Not true. The first Larios/Vasquez fight saw Larios being knocked out cold in one of the most brutal stoppages in years.
I don't feel Pac will achieve greatness of Armstrong's level. However I could see him breaking into the top 20 at the end of his careers a win over Mayweather would do huge things for his legacy.