Manny Pacquiao is best pound-for-pound fighter

The country’s pride, Manny Pacquiao has indeed reached the status that any Filipino boxer could only dream off, that of being one of the greatest boxers in the planet today.

As if holding four belts from different weight divisions at the same time, and with numerous sport committees and organizations granting awards and commendations left and right, the title best pound-for-pound fighter given to him by boxing experts has just become official.

That is because Sports Illustrated magazine has granted that honor to the Philippine hero, Pacquiao. The widely-read sports magazine came up with its latest pound-for-pound ranking, and at the top of list is our very own Pacquiao.

“Dazzling at whatever weight class he chooses to fight,” is how Sports Illustrated describes the Pacman.

Last year, Pacquiao fought in three different weight classes, and won all of them. From Juan Manuel Marquez (130 lbs), David Diaz (135 lbs) and Oscar dela Hoya (147 lbs). And on May 2, Pacman, who started at 106 lbs, will be facing off with British superstar Ricky Hatton (140 lbs) for the IBO light-welterweight crown.

Pacquiao’s victory over Hatton at the MGM Grand will give his fifth world title in different weight classes, including flyweight, super-bantam, super-feather and lightweight, and as Sports Illustrated wrote, “a win over Hatton all but guarantees a shot at a former pound-for-pound champ Floyd Mayweather Jr., who many feel is lurking in anticipation of a Pacquiao victory.”

Following Pacquiao on the list of pound-for-pound kings is one of his nemesis Mexican counter-puncher Manuel Marquez, the reigning lightweight champion and would definitely love to have a third chance on the Pinoy champ.

Experts say, a third fight is necessary to put the issue between Pacquiao and Marquez to rest. Their first match in 2004 ended in a controversial draw, and their March 2008 bout ended with a close decision.

Mosley eyes fight with Pacquiao

Shane Mosley is keen on fighting the winner of the Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton showdown for the International Boxing Organization welterweight crown on May 2 in Las Vegas.

Especially if the victor turns out to be the Filipino ring icon.

“I’m very interested in that fight,” Mosley, the WBA welterweight champion, told Ricardo Lois of Examiner.com. “I really want that fight. Very good for the boxing world and the public, Manny Pacquiao being No. 1 in the pound for pound list.”

But the 37-year-old Mosley doesn’t want to go down to junior welterweight anymore, saying it would be very difficult for him to fight at 140 lb having fought at 154 in the past.

Mosley noted that Pacquiao and Hatton fought at 147 lb with contrasting results. Hatton absorbed his lone defeat from the now-retired Floyd Mayweather Jr. in 2007 while Pacquiao stopped boxing’s poster boy Oscar De La Hoya in eight rounds last December.

If the fight with either Pacquiao or Hatton doesn’t work out, Mosley, a three-division world champion with a record of 46 wins, five losses and one no contest, spiked by 39 knockouts, said he is interested in having a rematch with Miguel Cotto.

Two years ago, Cotto beat Mosley by a close but unanimous decision.

The 5-foot-9 Mosley owns the distinction of besting De La Hoya, the world’s only six-division champion, twice.

After Hatton, Pacquiao is looking at two more fights before hanging up his gloves.

Among those prominently mentioned as possible opponents are Cotto, Mayweather Jr. WBO super featherweight champion Joan Guzman and Juan Manuel Marquez, who is raring for a third fight with Pacquiao after his ninth round stoppage of World Boxing Association, World Boxing Organization and International Boxing Federation lightweight champion Juan Diaz last month.

In their first meeting on May 8, 2004, Marquez battled back from three first round knockdowns to forge a controversial draw.

In their return bout last March 15, Pacquiao squeezed out a split decision victory over the 35-year-old Mexican to win the WBC super featherweight crown.(Roy Luarca)

Pacquiao: "I’ll take Hatton’s crown"

Manny Pacquiao has realized one of his long-cherished dreams: To breathe the moist air in faraway England.

Exactly two months from now, he will try to accomplish another. That is, to add the light welterweight crown—at the expense of British superstar Ricky Hatton—to his four previous world championship belts.

“My dream was to come here to England and it has come true,” Pacquiao told the British newspaper The Sunday Telegraph. “I also have the desire to take the light welterweight title, and it’s a big honor to be in another fight which the fans want to see.”

Pacquiao arrived in London on Saturday morning after a 16-hour flight and later faced Hatton for the first time at the Trafford Centre in Manchester.

The event was a kickoff press conference-cum-fan rally for their “The East vs the West” title clash slated at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Pacquiao will be after Hatton’s International Boxing Organization crown in that May 2 slugfest. The Ring Magazine has also announced that the winner of that bout will be the revered boxing magazine’s light welterweight kingpin.

Accompanied by lawyer Jeng Gacal and trainer Freddie Roach, Pacquiao took the 8:40 a.m. schedule on a first-class cabin where he talked to his family over the phone and had a calf massage, according to Internet reports.

Four cars were waiting for the Filipino’s entourage when they arrived in Manchester.

Pacquiao did not directly predict he will take out Hatton, who is also 30 years old like the Gen. Santos City southpaw, but admitted that winning is a must.

“Every time I fight, I have to win because millions of Filipinos are hoping for victory,” said Pacquiao, who wore a suit. “Millions of people look to me to win. I have to go out and give everything.”

Hatton was more optimistic in front of his countrymen who naturally made up majority of the estimated 6,000 fans.

“On May 2, I’ll be the new pound-for-pound king,” Hatton vowed. “I’ve never been beaten at 10 stone (140 lb). This is my weight. This is where I do best. I promise all my fans I’ll win for Manchester!”

To which Pacquiao retorted: “Good luck but I’m going to win it for the Philippines.” (By Romina Austria)