That pretty much what it is. Otherwise what are we gonna go by if we analyze a fighter's whole career?
Hmm... Mayweather. Although both have their sceletons in their closets. I am not convinced that Pac is a skilled fighter. Of course he is good, but I am not convinced that he is skilled in a Leonard, Hearns, Hopkins, Jones etc. sense. I see him more as an extremely hard-working fighter in a latino division. Good, but probably (if it could be objectively measured) not as good as some people think and probably and his technical skills are probably not comparable to fighters we would call great. Mayweather's sceletons are different. I am convinced that he has the technical boxing skills at a very high level - which is comparable the Leonards, Whitakers etc. BUT Floyds issue is that he is a cherry-picker. He has an fairly unconvincing resume. Or no that is noit true - actually he has a really really good resume (let's be honest) BUT it is NOT as good as what he has tried to make it look like on paper. Fighting DLH at 154 was ridiculous. I would like to see him take on for example Spinks at 154. Now Spinks may not be the worlds most exciting fighter, but he knows some of the tricks Floiyd does and he has a size advantage over Floyd. Instead he goes after an old businessman. While he does have a good resume, he is a cherrypicker and could have potentially had a great resume.
I'm inclined to agree with your pick. But I dont agree with this reasoning of yours. First of all, many of the greatest fighters ever weren't what you call "skilled" in boxing but they were nevertheless GREAT. Second, I think "skill" is overrated when judging how good a boxer is. Too many people here in ESB put alot of emphasis on a fighters technical abilities(in other words.. skill) more than the intangibility or natural talent(i.e speed, power) of a fighter. I think it has to be evened out based on perspective. You say that Pac is not skilled in a Leonard, Hearns, Hopkins, Jones kind of way. I say he doesn't have to be. He doesn't need to be like those 4 to be considered in the same class as them. He has his own unique way of fighting and has already proven that he can beat people with much greater techinical abilities than him using that aggressive and unique style of his. And the way he is right now, if he keeps winning against quality opposition then I seriously don't see the reason why he must not be mentioned in the same breath as them just because he has a very different style compared to them.
Mayweather beat HOF fighters in their prime, except for Goldy. Pac got them on their last legs. No question it's Mayweather and that's how it will go down in history too, except in the Phillipines.
I`ll be honest, I like Pacman WAY MORE than Floyd but people are just letting their hearts rule their head by voting for Pacquiao. Being unbeaten aswell as actually being the far more talented BOXER (remember, we are discussing boxing here) surely are 2 HUGE factors when talking about legacy. The only thing I think Pacquiao has over Mayweather (& its a thing I myself rate as very important) is that he will fight more or less anyone without constant bitching about purses etc - I know Pac has been guilty of this in the past but so has 99% of fighters & he usually does get in that ring eventually.... Oh & Pac doesnt retire every 5 mins in his prime, that too (1 of the reasons I hate FMJ) Both are multiple weight world champions but Mayweather is hands down the better boxer, well, maybe not hands down, thats discrediting the great ability of Manny but Floyd is decisively the better boxer & as I said is unbeaten. Mayweather will rank much higher on the all time p4p lists when both retire & if thats not legacy then I dont know what is. Ps. vote with your heads, not your hearts.
most people forget when money fought ricky he was top5 some even had him top3 p4p on the brink of becoming p4p #1 and certainly had he beaten mayweather he wouldve been p4p #1. zab and baldo were top 3 welterweight when money fought them, his lighter weight resume speaks for itself, he also obviously beat oscar de la hoya and any idiot that had oscar winning should never judge another fight again