That's just the way it is, and always will be. Manny Pacquiao has accomplished so much, especially on Novermber 14th, 2009, but even if he fights and beats Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley, he will NEVER be included in any credible top 5 ATG list. It's like saying a movie will come out one day that is considered better than 'Citizen Kane' or 'The Godfather'. It's not gonna happen. Certain fighters like Sugar Ray Robinson, Joe Louis, Muhammad Ali, and Henry Armstrong, and others will ALWAYS be listed above Pacquiao, no matter what he accomplishes from this point on. As of right now, I'd rank Pac in the top 15, while a win over Mayweather would put him in the top 10, but as of right now...history might change things but, putting him ahead of some of those aforementioned guys in almost sacraligious. Not because he hasn't accomplished what they have, or because he is a lesser fighter, but because...that is just the way it is. For this particular generation, that is...100 years from now, they might see if differently.
He is already in my top 10, If he beats Mayweather like he did Hatton, he will move to number 2-3 on my list
yeah its hard to get close to the ATG in boxing. but Duran is now commonly listed in the top 10 - and he was a modern era fighter. but during his career he wasnt considerded THAT great. we won t know til its all said and done- when he retires- and have at least 5 years to get over any hysteria or hype- and have proper perspective. i mean - when roy was fighting in his peak - people were saying sugar ray robinson, - top 5. then when he got knocked out - he was a complete bum- top 100 . now , although he s not retired- he is irrelevant , his prime is solidified as it was, and on a cruise ship career wise- we have proper perspective- and its somewhere in the top 15-25. which is fair.
Either way I dont think you could make that decision until a few years after he retires. A distinction like that needs reflection, there is no other fair way to do it IMO.
I already posted that opinion in another thread. I believe it's gonna be very hard for him to make top 5 . . . no matter what. He is against the rich history of the sports on this.
On my list, I really don't see him cracking through my top three, Robinson, Pep and Armstrong, in any way. He'd have to fight on and on for that. Depending on what he does though, even though I think by this time next year he'll be retired, he might crack my top ten. Right now though, I can't put him past SRL, Duran, Hearns, etc.
So if Pac beats Mayweather he's top 15 all time? What if Mayweather KO's Pac. Lemme guess, Top 60? People are crazy bout the Pac man right now....