Pacquiao Vs. Mayweather: The Battle for Pound-for-Pound Supremacy

The Fire Power welterweight battle between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao and the "Boricua Bomber" Miguel Angel Cotto lived up to everyone's expectations last Saturday at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, as the two warriors poured everything they got and provided the fans from all over the world twelve brilliant rounds of pure action and high drama. The fight in Pacquiao winning Cotto's WBO welterweight title but most importantly, the fighting pride of the Philippines made boxing history as he wrested his seventh title in seven different weight classes: a feat never achieved by even the greatest pugilists of the world in their times such as Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Oscar De La Hoya, Jack Dempsey, Rocky Marciano, and other outstanding champions. Pacquiao's victory caused so much media frenzy not only in his nation, the Philippines, but all around the globe. Many international writers analyzed Pacquiao's destruction of the former WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto. Greg Bishop of the New York Times inscribed, "The brutal beating (of Miguel Cotto) continued Pacquiao's progression, adding to a résumé that must now be weighed against the best in boxing history." Mike Rosenthal of The Ring concurred, "The Filipino marvel has drawn more comparisons to the greatest fighters who ever lived ... He is dominating his era as few fighters ever have."

The hot topics in the boxing world right now are: Who will be Manny Pacquiao's next opponent? Will he go for another historic feat by going up in weight to 154 pounds and challenge one of the champions in that weight category? Will he fight his number one rival, Floyd Mayweather, Jr., for the ultimate pound-for-pound supremacy? Floyd "Money" Mayweather stated on his interview with Sky Sports that he wants a duel with the Filipino typhoon: "If he (Pacquiao) wants to fight Floyd Mayweather, all he has to do is step up to the plate." This clash is considered to be the paramount duel between these two best pound-for-pound fighters in the world. Hundreds of millions in revenues will be made and many boxing records will be broken should this fight push through next year so the entire community of the Sweet Science is waiting eagerly for the initial negotiation steps from each fighter's promoters: Bob Arum of Top Rank and Richard Schaeffer of the Golden Boy Promotions.

The master trainer of Pacquiao, Freddie Roach openly expressed his willingness to engage his prized pupil with the undefeated, speedster Mayweather: "The whole world wants to see him (Pacquiao) fight Mayweather and I want Mayweather." This is a match-up made in heaven, indeed-an offensive monster in Pacquiao and a defensive master in Mayweather. Who do you think will reign supreme as the real pound-for-pound King? The world will only determine the answer to this mystery once these two legendary warriors square off in the ring, but until then, keep on supporting your favorite pound-for-pound fighter!

Sources:

Telegraph staff, "Manny Pacquiao's historic win: international press reaction," Telegraph.co.uk

News staff, "Mayweather talks up Pacquiao fight," CNN

News staff, "Pacquiao team want Mayweather Jr," Sports TV