Pacland's Philippine Boxing Forum

floyds greatness is also tainted by avoiding the best in his career.

Floyds achievements is not purely a product of matchmaking. Infact he could have defeated fighters whom he avoided if he took the risk. He could have defeated Pacquiao, He could have defeated Williams and Martinez, and He could have defeated Margarito, Mosley and Cotto on thier primes. Floyd never took risk. He only fights if there is no risk involved and hes 100 percent sure that hes going to win. Hes the boss and the one who decides who he is going to fight.

Floyd has a great skills, his skills are excellent, and second to none. Its his heart that that separates him as an all time great. he is not a real warrior.

Lastly, i do believe De la hoya defeated him on that very close fight.

To All Paclanders and Critics:

First of all, let me greet you with Merry Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.

The subject above is of course debatable but let me say this, as a fan of our very own Manny Pacquaio, I do not look alone at his successes in the ring but on how he pulled himself out from the pit of poverty. With very little formal education, he competed in the larger arena where we all find ourselves to be in but with his determination and focus he made it ... and made us proud to be Pinoy once again. He is and until now the only 8 Division champion in the world, a fete that has never been previously achieved by anyone in the sport of boxing.

He suffered his first TKO loss to Torrecampo but he bounced back, registered his second TKO loss from a Thailander named Singsurat and likewise bounced back. When he was beaten fair and square by Eric Morales in their first encounter, he rose again to the challenge and he avenged his loss in a very exciting fashion with a TKO in their 2nd fight.

Manny's KO loss with Marquez is of course different from his previous losses because in his latest fight, he was put to sleep. How come then that I am of the opinion (and I stand by it) that his KO loss elevated him as GOAT? To support my view, I am quoting below an inspirational quote about defeat from the late US President Theodore Roosevelt.

"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly, who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who at the worst, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat." Theodore (Teddy) Roosevelt
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As we all may agree, in the Pacquiao vs Marquez IV, Manny promised an exciting fight and he delivered but in the process suffered a humiliating KO loss. If he were a selfish individual, he could have just boxed around and avoided putting himself in a great jeopardy and take home his millions. But Manny is Manny as we all know. He cares for the fans of boxing who pays hard-earned money to watch him either live or on PPVs so he did what he promised to deliver ... a real fight in the ring.

So going back to why I consider him GOAT after his KO loss, I say this because on not the way he demolished his opponents on his way up the ladder of boxing's greatness. I say this because of the way he carried himself in accepting a humiliating defeat which so many are claiming to be his downfall and clamoring for his retirement. I say this because of how he remained positive and still kept his faith in God despite of such event in his life. I say this because he gave credit to his conqueror and asked his fans to give credit to Marquez for his KO win.

And lastly, I say this because Manny cried in front of the whole world not because of the KO loss but because he feels that he disappointed us ... his fans in Pinas and all over the world.

God Bless Us All!