Classic Posters(concerning Pac vs Margo)

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I think Clottey and Margarito's problem was that they under-estimated Manny's power at 147 and 150. Both of them spoke alot about his speed but that they felt Pacquiao could hurt them. Then you see, pretty early on Pacquiao's punches start to connect and they get hurt. The body attack is what made Clottey clam up and Pacquiao hurt Margarito with a big one in round 4 - that is what helped turn the fight.

 

Yeah, I haven't seen much of a reaction to that. I don't think people are so anti-modern like you may think around here. I just think they're pro-classics, which is natural. A bit of a difference. Some are rightfully criticizing the WW era, though. So there's definitely a difference in opinion and I think both sides really have good points. It's always hardest evaluating fighters while they're making their stamp on greatness. It's all so fresh in your mind and it's hard to garner the most accurate perspective.

To be truthful, McGrain is pretty damn fair when it comes to modern fighters. He doesn't seem to have a stone for the old or new school. Pac's achievement are quite something, even if he doesn't have that standout win people might be looking for, and even if his depth doesn't seem as stellar as past fighters since those eras might've had a higher perceived depth. It's all an interesting topic.

Jim Lampley said he has covered the sport in the last 25 years and has seen SRL and thinks Pac is the greatest offensive fighter he has ever seen. I have to say, I think he's right. Pac is probably the greatest fighting machine and offensive fighter since Duran. I won't say he's better than SRL right now but he's right there. Roy Jones Jr might be the next best offensive fighter of the recent era. His single weight jumping win is fairly comparable if you really think about it. Pac's just been even more consistent and further pushing the envelope as he stays around these weights.

What do people think if Floyd won't fight Pac? If Pac were to fight the Martinez/Williams winner. That would be awesome. If not them, then what's next... Bradley?

 

There are five legitimate paths he can take from here.

He can take on other JMW's like Dziziruk, rematch Cotto or knock out spinks in a tuneup .

He can wait till MWII has finished and take out the winner. If he did, he would be a top 15 lock ATG for me.

He somehow manages to negotiate with Mayweather and we see the fight of the generation.

He takes on the winner of the winner of Bradley-Alexander and Khan-Maidana, and probably destroys them.

He retires.

 

You assuming that Martinez will win(for real) this time again? I wouldn't be so sure. Williams, the dumb punch robot that he is, is surprisingly good in rematches and Martinez is having a shitty time getting down to the negotiated catchweight.

For what it's worth I think Pacquiao can beat Martinez, even giving up as much weight as he is. But it would be probably the toughest fight of his career. Sergio is fast. He has solid skills and power. He's one of my favorite active fighters actually(his attitude in and out of the ring is great). But Pacquiao is faster, he has become a fairly intelligent boxer in spots, and he has shown the ability to hurt bigger men.

Tough fight to call. I certainly wouldn't bet on it. I agree with you that it is a tougher fight than a Mayweather one would be. I honestly think Pacquiao would knock Mayweather out right now, despite the obvious stylistic disadvantages. He hates the guy and he would not hold back and show mercy like he did with Cotto and Margarito.

 

I would like too see him return to the amateur rankings and capture a gold medal.

 

I ddn't see Margarito as much of a challenge and it proved correct. But it seems to me that Pac has reached his limit of weight climbing. I didn't think his footwork was as good as recent fights. I'd like to see Pac drop to 140 and take on several challenges down there (if he chooses to continue fighting for awhile). I was thinking that a bigger man with speed and technical skills would be too much for him. I would pick Martinez over Pac if they fought in the near future. I would probably pick Paul Williams also. I think his height and reach would be a bad matchup for Pac. Those are the two for me who could end Pac's streak.

As for the thread topic, I'm not seeing the outrage. Pac is a great fighter. A modern day Langford or Greb, who has endeared himself to Classic because of his feats in the ring.

 

I could see Pac beating Martinez quite clearly.I've been a fan of him for years, but never thought he had much ability.A bit better than average euro title level 147 or 154 spoiler if you put him in a solid era.

Been great watching him make the hypejobs willliams and Pavlik look bad, but manny has more about him than those two, even if he's out of his element weight-wise.He's shown it's ability that will get him, not just size and i don't think Martinez has too much size or skill for him.I didn't think there was anyone out there inherently talented enough to take advantage of the smaller Mayweather a couple years back and it might be the same for Pac now.

I hate to be a curmudgeon, but this really is a rotten 5( at least) year period for natural 140-160 talent.The real fighters were lower than that and it's really showed, even when you look at how far Morales and Barrera were able to move up and still be reasonably competitive, to say nothing of Pac and Floyd.

 

I would love to see Pac drop down to 140 and quicly clean up a few of the top guys then retire, then hopefuly on off the guys that Pac cleans up turns into a great boxer at some stage , like Hopkins being a great win for RJJ and few years after their bout, as he continued to get better.

 

The thing is that fighters are usually not the same after a scrap with Pacquiao. Dudes just don't get beat, they get beat up.

 

Really? I think Mayweather is by far the biggest challenge for Pac, still. He has enough technical skill to perhaps off-set Pacquiao's unorthodox attack and physical abilities, unlike Martinez.

 

I'm with Natonic, I'd probably pick and expect Martinez to beat Pac. What an achievement that would be if Pac were to win. I think Martinez does present it self as the hardest fight for Pac. I'd still rather see Pac fight Floyd even if Martinez is a tougher fight. It would be huge and it's a near pick em fight.

We shall see how Martinez looks against PW though. A lot of people are putting stock in his weight 30 days in. I don't think it's quite as much as some are making it to be but we'll see. Martinez is getting older. The thing is... Martinez fights in spurts so while he's a pretty good athletic and skilled southpaw with some decent speed and awkwardness... Pac could actually squeak out rounds due to his work-rate if he can overcome the size and skills. Not quite the same as fighting Margo who moves forward with no defense. Martinez would be an incredibly tough fight, which is why Roach won't test those waters. I think he knows the risk is legit and the reward not quite tempting enough.

And I'm not trying to make Floyd as a walk in the park either. Both are definitely the toughest fights out there with guys that can beat him. I just think Martinez chances are slightly better.

 

Funny, I unintentionally excluded Mayweather as a future opponent for Pac. I guess I'm not very optimistic of it happening at this point.