Mario I. (Los Angeles, CA): Now that Pacquiao has defeated the biggest/best welterweight in the world, do you change your previous opinion that he isn’t an all-time top 10 great of the sport?
Vivek W. (ESB): I think there are two appropriate answers for this question. The absolute best answer that I can give, as it relates to my personal position is yes, categorically, he can’t be denied as a pure element of that group. Where one chooses to place him is another story, but to me, the question relative to whether or not he belongs is no longer a question. His ability to elevate his game each fight, regardless of the level of competition is what puts him into that pantheon. Where the second spin on this question comes in is that to put it quite frankly, there’s no true way to identify that he does or doesn’t. At the tender age of 33, although I watch a ton of fight footage from over the years, I didn’t live in the era of Joe Louis, ‘Sugar’ Ray Robinson, Marciano, and others. What I do know is that the same conviction that you have about the greatness of Pacquiao, the old-schoolers from back in the day with first hand knowledge have about their choices..
In example, if you have a Grandson 30 years from now who attempted to debate you about the fighters in his generation who’s pulverizing everyone in front of them and doing amazing things, you’re gonna stick to your guns and say that Pacquiao was the man because you witnessed his greatness, wherein he’s gonna say those new kids are more talented and have done just as much, while your Father will unquestionably tip his hat to Robinson, Louis, Marciano, and others, if he’s entered into the equation. So, my point is that all we can do is honor these guys for what we see them accomplish, but the ultimate question relative to who’s the best is all totally subjective because without these guys squaring off, we’ll never know. Is Pacquiao a top 10 all-time to me? Yes, but will that victory over Cotto seal it for some, maybe not, and that has to be respected if you want your position to be.
Chris W. (Chicago, IL): Do you think that anyone could deny Floyd his place at the top if he dominates Pacquiao the way he did Marquez?
Vivek W. (ESB): Honestly, I don’t see a way that ANYONE could legitimately take anything away from him if he did. The big issue all along with Floyd is that he hasn’t faced a certain level of competition. At this point, Pacquiao has followed a blueprint that he laid, (in defeating Hatton and Oscar), albeit in a more spectacular fashion; and after doing that, Pacquiao has also defeated the one man that most would call the biggest and best welterweight in the world (Miguel Cotto). That being said, a victory of any sort over Pacquiao for Mayweather would be off the charts, but to dominate him in a one-way fashion like he did Marquez, I don’t think there’d be a way that even his harshest critic could attempt to deny that after such a performance. Personally, I don’t think such a dominating performance is humanly possible against a fighter like Manny. I respect Mayweather’s ability more than anyone in the sport, but I say that particular feat is one that he couldn’t perform on his best day. He may eek his way out to a close points win, but a dominant one-sided victory or a KO over Pacquiao, never in a million years.
Isidro F. (Medley, FL): What do you think the biggest problem in the fight for Cotto was?
Vivek (ESB): First off, I think you have to give full credit to Roach and Pacquiao for perfect execution of what was clearly a sound plan. Now, in regards to the true problems for Cotto…..I can think of two very obvious things to me from the onset. It’s no secret that fundamentally, Cotto is a very easy target to engage on, and I pointed that out in my pre-fight video. Judah is no where near as deadly as Pacquiao, but he was a perfect example of what a fast southpaw could do against a poorly defensive Miguel Cotto, picking him apart for 57% of his powershots landed. Mosley landed 53% of his powershots. All of these things are clear indications that the technical flaws within Cotto are paramount, and that takes me to the second point on Cotto. Aside from his fundamental defensive flaws, it’s the fact that he no longer has the right person in the corner to assist him that punctuated those flaws even more so. Cotto has struggled in literally every fight he’s had after the departure of former trainer/uncle Evangelista Cotto. I don’t know how Miguel will ever truly replace him, but he’ll need to, and soon. I like Santiago, but he’s not the man for the job. Cotto needs someone who will challenge him, and totally reinvent him. Between the fundamental defensive flaws and the fact that he has the wrong man responsible for correcting them in his corner, I don’t see any progress with Cotto any time soon, and I would think those two things had more to do than anything with the recent loss of Cotto. Another underlying effect is the fact that mentally, he saw Margarito all over again when he couldn’t change the dynamics of the fight with powershots.
Carlos L. (Miami Lakes, FL): Can you please clarify. I continue to hear that Pacquiao is now 7-time world champion in 7 different weight divisions, but I have also read that he is now 5-time world champion in 5 different weight divisions. What’s the truth?
Vivek W. (ESB): This is yet another one of those topics which will be widely debated between Pacquiao supporters and Pacquiao critics until the end of time. The issue here is that Pacquiao has won a number of titles, but a hand full were not legitimate on the world stage. When you look at Oscar De La Hoya’s accomplishment of winning 10 world titles in 6 different weight classes, it can be duly noted that every single strap he ever won was in fact a world title. In the case of Pacquiao, only 5 have been world titles, the other two were more regional. In example, the OPBF (Oriental Pacific Boxing Federation) strap, among others, have never been and perhaps will never be viewed as legitimate straps on a global scale. To be perfectly honest, even the IBO strap that he won against Hatton fails to meet the mark, which is why it doesn’t show up on the charts. When you look at regional straps like the OPBF title he won many years ago, it’s like an N.F.L. team winning the conference, but failing to win the superbowl. It gives superior value, but only over a certain level of opposition, not the entire realm of competition.
The only factual statements that I can make relative to this question is that WBC president, Jose Sulaiman, who as we know is a HUGE Pacquiao supporter, stated prior to this fight that “Pacquiao is a 4-time world champion in 4 different weight divisions, not 5, or 6”. With this recent victory, the only WORLD TITLE’S Pacquiao is currently given full credit for is the WBC Flyweight strap, the IBF Super-Bantamweight strap, the WBC Super-Featherweight strap, the WBC Lightweight strap, and now, the WBO welterweight strap. The Ring title and the OPBF strap, among others, are recognized accomplishments, but not ones for the official books. If we are to count the Ring titles that Pacquiao has received as an official world title, we need to recount Floyd’s numbers, Oscar’s, and many others, because somehow those efforts never made their current world title count list. Oscar’s 10 world titles were all sanctioned organizations, not including his Ring titles. So, the best way to address the Pacquiao scenario would be to say he’s a 7-time champion in 7 different weight divisions, but a 5-time WORLD CHAMPION in 5 different weight classes. The ring belt is not a sanctioned strap, and has no governing body. Anything less than world dominance by a sanctioned organization isn’t categorically considered dominant enough for the books that count.
Eric A. (San Diego): Who do you think has the most leverage at the negotiating table between Mayweather and Pacquiao?
Vivek W. (ESB): I think it goes according to what principles you carry to the table. I think Pacquiao has a swinging momentum, but the hard facts lean towards Mayweather, and I think had things been the opposite, the same arguments would be used to favor Pacquiao. In head to head competition, Mayweather has clearly won that battle. Look at the PPV #’s: Oscar/Pacquaio (1.4M) – FMW/Oscar (2.4M); Hatton/Pacquiao 850K – FMW/Hatton 925K; Pacquiao/Marquez (405K) – FMW/Marquez (1M). Those type of numbers speak volumes. As stated earlier, Pacquiao clearly has the momentum, but these facts can’t be denied and wouldnt be if they were in his favor. Also, another point of contention will be the weight. Clearly, Pacquiao can fight at 147, and there’s no way in hell I see the need for an ounce less, other than a shot at gaining an unfair advantage, because Pacquiao just proved to the world that he’s as powerful as a middleweight despite tipping the scales at 144lbs. But, that won’t stop him from trying to get the weight reduced like he did with Cotto. There will be major issues to contend with, but when it’s done, it’ll be well worth the wait! Mark my words!
(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vivexemail@yahoo.com, 954-292-7346, Youtube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEK747), Facebook, and Myspace).