by Ryan McArthur– With the two upcoming fights involving Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, “pound-for- pound” will be a term branded around the fight media for the next few months. I do agree with most that pound for pound the pacman is the best boxer on the planet. What I do strongly disagree with however is that he holds a pound- for- pound “title” as if its a belt to be worn around the waste.
Although the term pound for pound has been around since the great Sugar Ray Robinson, its only until recently that its been adopted into a “title” a fighter can actually win.. When Antonio Tarver beat Roy Jones (the then p4p king) did anyone make him their number one? When Ricardo Mayorga beat Vernon Forrest back in 03 was he considered best in the world? I think not. So why now then whoever steps into the ring with Manny Pacquiao is it being dubbed for the “p4p title”. Imagine David Diaz had have beaten the pacman in early 2008, would Diaz have made it into anyones top ten never mind top of the tree? I dont think so. He would have just been a regular pug too big and too strong for the filipino wonder.
With Mayweather-Marquez, Pacquiao-Cotto scheduled before the end of the year, the future of this nonsensical title is looking healthy. Throw Paul Williams, Shane Mosley and maybe even a returning Antonio Margarito into the mix and the welterweight division could become a home for this mythical title for the next couple of years. What happens if say in the meantime Juan Manuel Lopez reaches his full potential and obliterates everyone from the super bantam and featherweight divisions, or we even see the second coming of Ricardo Lopez? we would never see them hold the title simply because they would be too small.
This of course contradicts everything pound for pound stands for. This situation will be around for the foreseeable future and as long as promoters and the media keep selling these fights as for a mythical title, fighters will be only too happy to participate.
It seems now that being a multi-weight world champion is not enough and that to be considered great you need to add the “p4p title” to youre re`sume`. Pound for pound champion is not a title that can be won but a reputation that is earned. The sooner we realise this the better.