This might be a shocking pick, but I'd say Brandon Rios. Pacquiao put on a masterclass boxing clinic demonstrating a potent offense and excellent defense. He barely got hit and he was in control of every second of the fight. And this was coming off of a yearlong lay off after KTFO6. The Oscar fight was also a masterclass taught by Professor Pacquiao.
His head-movement was really good in Bradley III. So was his offensive timing, he just couldn't miss with that straight left. I actually think the first Bradley fight is a very underrated performance. He showed he was a damn good body puncher, especially with his right hook and left lead. He showed a nice short uppercut, and very skill skills off the ropes. I always thought his ability to turn someone, reset, then change the angle after stringing a combination together was brilliant vs Margarito and Clottey. He also showed how he'd pry open a nice tight guard vs both of those guys. Very nice lineal and lateral movement in those two as well. He showed good out-boxing game vs Rios, too IIRC.
I thought his right hand was very good here, and was very good vs another southpaw, David Diaz. He seemed to like not having to get around someone's lead foot.
Vs. David Diaz, that was such a phenomenal fight. I still remember David Diaz saying, "it's not the power, it's the speed". That level of discouragement that Pac inflicted onto him.................just a great showcase.
The Diaz fight for me... Against fairly limited opposition but that performance was just absolutely relentless n beautiful.... I actually sat up after that n was like..... Yeah... P4P1
The Cotto fight will always be the answer to me. That was his skills at head-movement, counter-punching, offensive timing, and footwork meeting his crazy athleticism, speed, and punching power forming their best combination. As he got older his skills got better and when he was younger he was even more of a crazy raw talent, but that was the best fight where they "met in the middle".
It's why I think he still has a chance against Crawford (not the greatest of chances, but a chance.) When he doesn't have to deal with southpaw/orthodox stuff, he shines. Crawford may switch and find himself getting overwhelmed...or he might not.
This. When he beat Barrera he was just a complete freak of nature machine. In a similar way that young Roy Jones was. And then later against Rios and 3rd Bradley fight he was a more complete technician. The Cotto fight was the blend of these two Pac's.
Mayweather fight was another great performance. He was countering the **** out of Floyd's jab and going tit for tat with punches landed. The massive letdown (in action) and outcry from the fight overshadowed everything Pac did. Neither man did much, but Pac was right there with Floyd.
I'm begging all the usual suspects...please, PLEASE let Joker's post go. Just let it go. Pretty please?
I thought he was looking pretty good versus JMM in #4. He was boxing well up until he got caught. I believe he was even up on the cards to that point.
