Why is Pacquiao more exalted than Mayweather?

For the most part, I agree with the underlined, but even casual fans can see that he does more than fight from the outside; he's proficient at fighting at all ranges.

As for the bold, I doubt that the casual fans or even most fans of Manny Pacquiao realize what he's doing. I don't agree with the notion that he's a mauler/brawler whose game is to hit harder than he is hit in return. I'll provide one example of Pacquiao's actual skill that his fans overlook.

One aspect of Pacquiao that almost no one pays attention to is his proficiency in defending against the jab. I'll use Cotto as an example (even though it goes back much further than Cotto), where Pacquiao, starting early in Round 2, neutralized Cotto's counter-jab by figuring out the timing of his jab and what location he expects Cotto to throw it (chin-level and as Pac bobs down). Pacquiao understood his own movement and Cotto's intentions in order to beat Cotto's timing with the jab, so that Pacquiao could land his straight left (it's not really a counter, as he's attacking with full understanding of where, when, and how Cotto is likely to counter depending on Cotto's body signals in reaction) without getting hit by the counter-jab. As for Cotto's offensive jab, Pac ALSO gets that timed (by Cotto's shoulders) so that he can throw the right hook over the top and hit Cotto before the jab does any damage. Pacquiao essentially out-timed a powerful boxer known for his ability to time and outbox his opponents when it came down to it.

That's why as someone who follows boxing, it does kinda bother me a little bit when all I hear when it comes to Manny Pacquiao is stuff like, "Oh, Pac's looking strong, looking fast, he's going to KO ______", when there's a LOT more that goes into his preparation, and a lot more that goes into his fight style than simply power, speed, and all of his other physical attributes. Pac's almost never praised for his ring intelligence and his actual boxing ability (timing, ability to defend from off the ropes using head movement and parries, range control, and he also does a lot of belt-level ducking under punches that Floyd's notorious for).

 

Because he's humble.

 

My answer is not one of the options. It's not what Manny has done (remember, he's not the American). It's how Mayweather has acted. Mayweather should have been Nike's posterboy. Mayweather as great as he is, should be America's boxing spokesperson after Oscar began to fade. But no, he chose the villain role. And Floyd cries when Manny and Oscar get all the endorsements?

 

Void is boring. Pac is exciting.

 

Can you imagine how you would sound five years from now reciting all these excuses for Pacquiao's opponents?

 

Good post.

 

He could have KO'ed JMM if he wanted to, but was not willing to engage for fear of being countered.

 

But in boxing people want to see KO's rather than track and field inside the ring.

 

"He who humbles himself shall be exalted" sounds familiar?

 

Larios had just got starched in his previos fight and went up two divisions.


Larios was not starched. The fight was stopped on cuts.

 

Only the humble shall be exalted (MARK 10:35-45)

 

How he would have got them out of there isn't the point.

The fact is Mayweather beat better versions of both De La Hoya and Hatton and according to Freddie Roach neither were as good by the time Pacquiao got his hands on them, yet Pac seems to get more credit for beating up 2 old guys that haven't fought since and are considered to be finished.

 

Just his style in the ring that makes people appreciate him more. He puts on a show for the casual fans who just wanna see a fight. Also there are a lot of great african american fighters who have participated in the sport. Compare this to the top asian fighters and you can immediately see the fascination with Manny Pacquaio.

In my mind both men have a lot left to give to the sport.

Me personally i think rankings are over rated, its based on someones opinion and obvious bias towards a fighter.

However It's not just boxing it happens everywhere.

For example i remember when MTV viewers voted lil wayne the best rapper alive.