So which of those categories do Marquez and Morales fit in? Pac has gotten massively, massively, massively overrated through beating a lot of B-grade guys and past prime fighters at higher weights recently.
I would say at 140 would be the hardest weight to pick a winner...I can see it go either way on that one. Below 140 Chavez wins, above 140 Pacquiao wins.
This is the only part of your post that isn't absurd, and even in the case of Marquez, you're wrong. :good
I agree Chavez has the advantage on the inside, but on the outside and mid range Pacquaio has the advantage, I think Pacquaio catches Chavez on the way in or moves off to the side when on the inside. Have to disagree on the right hand, I think Marquez's right hand is much better technically, the way he sets it up and in terms of speed/accuracy. The right is what Marquez just does so well
JMM was past prime? He looked fresher pre Pac2, but still there and about in his prime. Pac lost those though imo
I disagree vehemently with what SS said, but I can honestly say from my own experiences on ESB that he most definitely doesn't have any agenda at all, and is stating his genuine opinion based on his own assessment. He is not the agenda type, he's not PowerPuncher FFS.
In answer to the thread-question, yes I would comfortably place these two in the same tier. At 130 or 135, I'd back Chavez to win. Above 140, I strongly favour Pac. At 140, it's a pick 'em. I'd probably lean towards JCC since we have seen so little of Manny in that division. In terms of all-time p4p greatness, I edge towards Pacquiao because I think he has an edge on achievements. But there's very, very little between them.
It is a different easier sport now a days from even the 80s. I doubt Pacquiao would have been anything other than a curiosity in Chavez's late 80s peak.
Cheers. Pop, do you think Cotto and Hatton were A class for their weight? Don't get me wrong, they were up there in their weight divisions, but I simply mean historically. Neither Hatton or Cotto were in the upper echelon really. Servicable champs in a somewhat barren era sure (again, historically speaking) but not much more. Oscar of course, you'd agree, was done. Perhaps what you are disagreeing with though is the part where I say Pac has become overrated. That's fair enough, even though I think he has.
Well, I think he was past his peak but still prime, but yeah, since most felt Pac lost that fight, I wasn't including it in the 'past prime' category. i was thinking more of Oscar. As an aside, I had the second Pac-Marquez fight a draw. Imagine I thought he actually lost the fight!