Does make it a bit of a joke arguing about it when as you say there isn't a definitive criteria for creating a list. Each publication/source seem to have their own criteria as do most fans. :nut When I saw Floyd at #1 I thought the BBC may have actually been objective about this one and shaped it to reflect recent history (ie actually changing the order based on recent fights) . . .and then I moved down the list to see Nard and Shane :yep
I don't particularly mind which is rated number 1. Obviously they are streets ahead of any other boxer on the planet, but or me the two are interchangable. Pac nicks it for me, but a case for PBF can easily be made
To be honest where P4P is concerned the number 1 spot is all I can be arsed about, IMHO it gets a bit pointless when you get to 7 or 8 and nobody can even agree on the ranking criteria. Mayweather just doesn't have as many recent quality wins as Pac (or probably overall record either) IMHO.
Until Marquez lost to Mayweather I had him at #1...... based on his superior resume above 130 to Pacquiao at the time, Casamayor & Diaz >>>>> Diaz, DLH & Hatton. Plus I had Marquez winning the rematch handily.
If you agree, like many do, that Mayweather was p4p number 1 when he retired after Hatton then surely he has cemented his place with wins over SSM (was p4p 3 or 4) and JMM (p4p 3 or 4) I'm playing devils advocate of course, Pac takes it for me every time, but there is a case.