Fools Gold: Marquez and Pacquiao have no chance

21.05.09 – By Kelsey McCarson, theboxingtstop.com: So Floyd Mayweather, Jr. has returned. Finally. With all the hubbub of the last few weeks, you’d think Manny Pacquiao was the next coming of Henry Armstrong, Ray Robinson and Jack Dempsey combined. Look, Manny is a great fighter and a certain hall of famer, but let’s take a step back for a minute and be real. Pacquiao isn’t even the best fighter of his generation..

Sure, he’s in the top five. He’s has great wins and is a tremendous fighter, but he’s clearly not in the same class as Roy Jones, Jr., Bernard Hopkins or Floyd Mayweather, Jr. He’s had great wars with great fighters, but let’s not get carried away over his last two victories. Oscar De La Hoya was an old, weight drained zombie and Ricky Hatton fought pretty much the dumbest fight ever (professional fighters move their heads, Ricky).

Before I go any further, I’d like to say that I really do hold the utmost respect for Manny Pacquiao. He’s a great fighter and deserves to be listed among the best ever for both his aggressive, fan-friendly style and what he’s done in the ring. But no way he beats Mayweather, and if you think it’d even be close, you’re dreaming.

Mayweather is bigger, faster, stronger and more skilled than both Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao. He’s the rarest of champions, a fighter with as much physical cache as he has technical expertise. Sure, he’s brash talking and genuinely disliked by some, but none of that really matters inside the squared circle.

If you are not with me now, something tells me your mind might change midway through the Marquez fight. Juan Manuel Marquez is the man many believe actually defeated Manny Pacquiao both times he faced him. In his last fight, Marquez summoned up a most fiercest tenacity to knock out a young and hungry Juan Diaz for the lightweight championship of the world. After the fight, he called out Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Big mistake.

Mayweather will not just beat Marquez, but he’ll destroy him. Does anyone remember what Floyd did to guys he’s the same size as? What do you think happens against fighters he’s actually bigger than? You’ll see. I’m thinking Arturo Gatti got off easier than Marquez will.

And after Mayweather dispatches of Marquez, he’ll get Pacquiao. Maybe in Manilla or maybe in Las Vegas, it really does not matter. There’s just too much money on the table for that fight not to happen and boxing fans will rejoice. People will look to their common opponents and say Pacman has a real shot, but he doesn’t. Manny Pacquiao gets hit way too much to be effective against Mayweather and Floyd’s defense is too tight for even the fast-handed Pacquiao. He’s fast, but Mayweather is faster. He’s great, but Mayweather is greater. I could go on…

Still, boxing fans should have good fun with each other between now and then. Mayweather bashers, and there are many, will look for Marquez and Pacquiao to save them from the brash, trash-talking Floyd, and Mayweather fans will write articles and message board posts like this to goad them on. One thing is clear, though. Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao are great champions, but they have no chance against the real pound for pound champ, Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

It’s sort of like fool’s gold: to fools, it looks like something it is not. To many, it looks like Juan Manuel Marquez and Manny Pacquiao have a good chance to beat Mayweather. But they don’t and the sooner boxing fans realize it, the better off they’ll be.