Floyd Mayweather & Manny Pacquiao Compared By Boxing Legend

When it comes to the resumes and careers of modern-day great boxers Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, there is one clear winner, according to one of boxing’s all-time greats.

The Filipino fighting icon and American legend fought in a 2015 blockbuster after years of protracted negotiations, with Mayweather scoring a win via decision.

Outside that one fight, though, they had wildly different careers with Pacquiao winning titles in eight different weight classes while competing in some of the most beloved bouts in recent times, including thrilling rivalries with Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Juan Manuel Marquez.

Mayweather, meanwhile, boxed his way to a flawless 50-0 record with world titles in five weight classes, including wins over Pacquiao, Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, and Oscar de la Hoya, among others.

Roy Jones Jr. Compares Mayweather’s Career to Pacquiao’s

Roy Jones Jr., one of boxing’s best-known fighters, critiqued Mayweather’s career when speaking to Ring Magazine. “What top black fighter did Floyd ever face and beat handily in their prime? Not one,” he said.

“He struggled with an old Oscar De La Hoya. Mayweather’s dad said he lost that fight. Then they say Floyd beat so many world champions. Most were not world champions at the time, they were ex-world champions. Who was his Thomas Hearns or Marvin Hagler or James Toney or Bernard Hopkins? Where is the guy who was on his level? Canelo Alvarez was young, and he fought Manny Pacquiao after he was knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez. He didn’t fight Terence Crawford.”

Jones then argued that’s what separated Pacquiao, from Mayweather. “Pacquiao fought everyone who was at his level.”

Jones continued: “He didn’t make the money Mayweather made, but he fought the fights that were supposed to be fought, when it was time to fight them. He didn’t wait around.

“That’s what king of the hill fighters do. Now, I’m not saying Mayweather was wrong because he made more money than everyone ever did. That’s cool. But … it’s a little bit more different.”

Pacquiao and Mayweather remain in the news because the former returned to the ring aged 46 and boxed the WBC welterweight world champion Mario Barrios to a draw, in a fight he arguably deserved to win. Had he won, and extended his own record as the oldest 147-pounder to win a legitimate title, then he may have been able to lure Mayweather back to the ring for a rematch.