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By Jun Medina, Special To The Manila Times
Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao was named “The Greatest Boxer of the
Decade [2000s]” in an elite list made by a famed boxing
chronicler, sharing the spotlight with other boxing greats like
Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Robinson, Henry Armstrong, Sugar Ray Leonard
and Roberto Duran.
Pacquiao, 30, was the only Asian in the
exclusive roster. He upended unbeaten Floyd Mayweather Jr., who was
named runner-up.
Drawn up by prominent boxing historian and
sportswriter Michael Rosenthal of the Ring Magazine, the elite list
is a compilation of the best-of-the-best boxers pound-for-pound in
the past 10 decades, from the 1910s to the 2000s.
“The Filipino’s legend grows every time he
steps into the ring,” Rosenthal said in a separate article. “He
dazzled us with his consistency against the Mexican trio of Marco
Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales and Juan Manuel Marquez,” Rosenthal
said.
“He shocked us when he stopped Oscar De La
Hoya. And on [May 2], he turned in a performance that is destined to
be a classic,” he added. On that date, “PacMan” knocked out
Britain’s Ricky Hatton in spectacular fashion the second round of
a scheduled 12-rounder to take the Englishman’s International
Boxing Organization’s junior welterweight title.
“Pacquiao’s speed, power, ferocity and skill
all met on the chin of Ricky Hatton and knocked him [Hatton] out
cold. It was nothing short of chilling. Now, more than ever, he’s
the greatest star in boxing and we can’t wait to see what comes
next,” Rosenthal said.
Voted the greatest boxer of the 1990s was Roy
Jones Jr., who “at his best, inspired awe.” Runner-up was
Pernell Whitaker, a slick southpaw who is perhaps best remembered
for knocking down De La Hoya at his prime, only to lose by a
disputed unanimous decision.
Sugar Ray Leonard was named the best of the
1980s for his epic victories over Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns and
Marvin Hagler. Runner-up was the legendary Mexican warrior Julio
Cesar Chavez.
Roberto Duran, who was described as “virtually
untouchable as a lightweight,” was named the greatest boxer of the
1970s. Carlos Monzon was runner-up.
Mohammad Ali was King of the Ring of the 1970s.
“ ‘The Greatest’ was the greatest at this time,” Rosenthal
said. Runner-up was Carlos Ortiz, the arch-nemesis of legendary
Filipino junior lightweight Gabriel “Flash” Elorde, who ruled
his division for more than six years.
Ali was Cassius Clay before he converted to
Islam. A native of Kentucky, he was an Olympic champion.
Ray Robinson, considered the best boxer of all
time, was named the best of the 1940s as a welterweight and in 1950s
as a middleweight.
“Robinson was untouchable as a
welterweight,” Rosenthal said. “He was also one of the greatest
middleweights ever.” Runners-up were Willie Pep (1940s) and Archie
Moore (1950s).
The pound-for-pound best of the 1930s was the
peerless Henry Armstrong, the only fighter to hold titles in three
weight classes simultaneously. Runner-up was Tony Canzoneri.
Considered the greatest of the 1920s was Benny
Leonard, described by some as “the greatest lightweight ever.”
Runner-up was Harry Greb.
Sam Langford was voted the best of the 1910s, a
“small man who beat the best big men of his day.” Runner-up was
the legendary Welsh world flyweight champion Jimmy Wilde, whose epic
loss to another great Filipino slugger, Pancho Villa, produced the
Philippines’ world champion in 1923.
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