Los Angeles, CA– Considering the enormity of Manny Paquaio’s popularity in his homeland of the Philippines before his unexpectedly easy victories over Oscar De La Hoya, and Britain’s Ricky Hatton, a win Saturday for the 49-3-2, 37 KOs, Pinoy over Puerto Rico’s live underdog WBO welterweight (147 lbs) champion Miguel Cotto (34-1, 27 KOs) could propel the superstar into becoming an iconic figure not just in boxing, but throughout the entire world as well. Currently featured on the cover of the Asian version of Time Magazine, the former flyweight (112), super bantamweight (122), featherweight (126), jr. lightweight (130), lightweight (135) and jr. welterweight (140) titleholder proves he is awful close to achieving that status. The Filipino’s greatness is also accompanied by entertainment value, which shines in comparison to the other fighter who many recognize as boxing’s ‘pound for pound’ best, Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs).
ONE WORD DESCRIBES FLOYD’S STYLE: BORING!
While Mayweather continues to bore the masses with his safety first style, although effective, it just can’t match the excitement “Pacman” brings to the sport of boxing. While the majority of fight fans pay to see the arrogant cry baby Floyd get knocked out cold, Paquiao has a style that aficionado’s can appreciate; an athlete willing take risks and face the best in their respective trade. Win or lose the two are both future Hall of Famers. The undefeated “Pretty Boy” has beaten a wide range of foes, as well as the Filipino. The arguments continue as to who is the better fighter today, but the bigger question is who will be remembered as the more accomplished prizefighter when their ring careers end. With a win Saturday Paquaio can stake his claim as the fighter with the more impressive resume, but even with a loss this weekend he still has a good argument that he’s already reached legendary status. Let’s compare the resumes of the Paquaio and Mayweather.
Mayweather’s Notable victories.
130 lbs- Gernaro Hernandez, Jesus Chavez, Diego Corrales, Angel Manfredy.
135 lbs- Jose Luis Castillo (x2)* HBO’s Harold Lederman scored their first fight 115-111 for Castillo.
140 lbs- De Marcus Corley, Arturo Gatti.
147 lbs- Zab Judah, Carlos Baldomir, Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton.
154lbs- Oscar De La Hoya.
Paquiao’s Notable Victories.
122 lbs – Lehlohonolo Lebwaba, Nedal Hussein.
126 lbs- Marco Antonio Barrera.
130 lbs-Eric Morales (2x), Juan Manuel Marquez, Marco Antonio Barrera, Oscar Larios.
135 lbs-David Diaz.
140 lbs- Ricky Hatton.
147 lbs- Oscar De La Hoya.
Notable Losses/Draws.
126 lbs- Draw Juan Manuel Marquez.
130 lbs- L 12 Eric Morales.
$64,000 QUESTION FOR FIGHT FANS
Whose resume is supreme?
Kevin Perry