Manny Pacquiao versus All Time Greats: The results are in!

Manny Pacquiao’s vicious win over Antonio Margarito has boxing pundits making some wild comparisons, many declaring the Filipino sensation as the ‘Greatest’ ever.

So let’s take a look at just how well Pacquiao would do against some of the true ‘All Time Greats.’

Waiting for Manny Pacquiao in the ‘All Time Great’ locker-room: Benny Leonard, Roberto Duran, Willie Pep, Henry Armstrong, Ray Robinson, Ray Leonard, Julio Cesar Chavez, Azumah Nelson, Alexis Arguello and Pernell Whitaker .

Manny Pacquiao versus Benny Leonard (183-19-11, 70 KOs)

Fight fans have to go back – way back – to remember the ring adventures of lightweight champion Benny Leonard.

Leonard, whose career ranged from 1911 through 1932, won 91 fights. He knocked out 71 opponents. And of his five losses, three arrived in the latter part of his career. One of those losses was the final bout of his career, a comeback bout, after a seven-year layoff.

Leonard was known for his speed, accuracy and punching power.

Leonard, however, may have been tailored made for Pacquiao. Like most fighters of that era, Leonard came right at you.

Pacquiao would have launched into his traditional fast start and land some heavy shots, probably some straight lefts that would have caught Leonard flush.

Leonard wouldn’t back down, again working in Pacquiao’s favor. Pacquiao would overwhelm Leonard from the very start, sending Leonard to the canvas several times in the first and second rounds.

In the third, Pacquiao would finish Leonard by landing a series of haymakers.

Result: Pacquiao defeats Benny Leonard, third round knockout.

Manny Pacquiao versus Julio Cesar Chavez (107-6-2, 86 KOs)

A classic matchup: Pacquiao is fast and furious. Chavez is patient and methodical.

Chavez, Mexico’s greatest fighter, held six world titles in three different weight classes – super featherweight up to light welterweight.

When he was done Chavez had the records for most successful title defenses (27), most title fights (37), most title fight victories (31), most title fight wins by knockout (21) and the longest winning streak (he was 89-0-1 when he lost for the first time).

But Chavez was facing Pacquiao, who just became the first fighter ever to win world titles in eight different weight classes.

This was a war.

Pacquiao managed to get off to usual fast start but couldn’t land any haymakers, instead utilizing his jab against the straight-forward Chavez. But that changed in rounds four and five when Pacquiao picked up the pace and landed painful combinations to start each round, ending the fifth with a barrage of punches that stopped Chavez in his tracks.

It was more of the same in the sixth and seventh, Pacquiao seemingly seizing control of the bout. Chavez, now cut over the right eye, was beginning to slow considerably.

Pacquiao, who expended a lot of energy in building the lead, let the eighth and ninth rounds slip away – a strategic mistake against Chavez.

Chavez, as was his trademark, rallied late. Chavez’s body attack began to take its toll, his left hooks digging into Pacquiao’s rib cage. The tenth round went to Chavez, who finished the round with five straight left hooks to Pacquiao’s midsection.

Chavez then began head-hunting in the 11th, tagging Pacquiao with left hooks and a stinging left uppercut. Chavez then sent his Mexican fans into a frenzy by landing a right body shot – a left hook – that forced Pacquiao to one knee and the first knockdown of the fight. It was a two-point round for Chavez.

Chavez opened the 12th with a furious attack, Pacquiao was reeling backwards. A wild left hook by Chavez lands flush and sends Pacquiao to the canvas for the second knockdown of the fight. Pacquiao struggles to his feet. A two-point round and a big finish for Chavez.

The late finish made it close, but ringsiders believe Pacquiao did enough early to pull it out.

The judges think differently. It’s a split-decision victory for the Mexican hero.

Result: Chavez defeats Pacquiao, split decision.

Manny Pacquiao versus Azumah Nelson (39-6-2, 28 KOs)

It didn’t take Azumah Nelson very long to make a name for himself in the sport of boxing. He had just 13 pro fights when he stepped into the ring with future Hall of Famer Salvador Sanchez. Nelson lost that bout but he went on to forge a Hall of Fame career of his own by winning featherweight and junior lightweight titles.

Nelson was a knockout artist in his own right, having scored some memorable KO victories with haymaker punches. But Nelson, who struggled mightily against southpaw Pernell Whitaker, met his match against Pacquiao.

Pacquiao’s speed and powerful flurries flustered Nelson. Pacquiao got off early and he managed to take build a lead into the middle rounds. Nelson seemed to figure things out, connecting with straight rights and began to back Pacquiao onto the ropes to make it close in the championship rounds.

But Pacquiao’s stamina was too much. He picked up the pace of the fight in the last three rounds, landing hard lefts and quick combinations that had stung Nelson badly. Pacquiao left the best for last, forcing Nelson into a standing eight-count in the final round. It was the exclamation point on a well earned win.

Result: Pacquiao defeats Azumah Nelson, unanimous decision.

Manny Pacquiao versus Henry Armstrong (151-21-9, 101 KOs)

Armstrong didn’t need catch weights. He is the only fighter to hold three titles in three different weight classes at the same time.

Armstrong won the featherweight title in 1937, the welterweight title in 1938 and then three months later went down in weight to win the lightweight title. And in 1940 he challenged for the middleweight title but settled for a draw against Ceferino Garcia.

Armstrong defeated 15 of the 17 world champions he faced, often overwhelming opponents with a non-stop, suffocating style.

Armstrong and Pacquiao battled from the opening bell, both fighters throwing haymakers in the opening round. Neither fighter is hurt but both land their share of punches.

It goes like that in rounds two, three and four, the pace of the bout unbelievable. Neither fighter shows any sign of neither weariness nor injury.

In round five, however, Armstrong lands a left-right combination that stops Pacquiao in his tracks. Armstrong, the physically bigger fighters, starts to impose that advantage on Pacquiao – he pushes Pacquiao around, leaning on him, suffocating Pacquiao’s attack.

Pacquiao struggles in the sixth and seventh, unable to free himself from Armstrong. Straining to keep Armstrong off, Pacquiao begins to show signs of weariness. Armstrong sees the change and picks up the pace, cornering Pacquiao in his own corner where he unleashes a series of body blows.

The end comes in the eighth. Armstrong is too big and too strong, pounds Pacquiao into submission. Pacquiao tastes the canvas twice before the fight is stopped, an impressive win for ‘Hammer’n Hank.’

Result: Armstrong defeats Pacquiao, eighth round stoppage.

Manny Pacquiao versus Alexis Arguello (82-8, 65 KOs)

One of the most popular boxers the sport has ever produced, Arguello didn’t shy away from the chance to face Pacquiao. After all, one well placed right hand would be all it took to finish the Filipino sensation.

Arguello was a 3-time titlist (featherweight, jr. lightweight and lightweight) and had his share of epic bouts. He was victorious in the ‘Bloody Battle of Bayamon,’ where he scored a 13th round KO over Alfredo Escalera.

But while Arguello’s height and punching power had dismantled many opponents, it was his stationary stance that did him in against Pacquiao.

As fight fans saw with Margarito, standing in front of Pacquiao is not a good idea. And as fight fans saw in his two confrontations with Aaron Pryor, Arguello had big trouble dealing with a fighter who was fast and furious.

Pacquiao floored Arguello with his first straight left he threw, scoring a quick knockdown in the opening minute of their bout.

Arguello got to his feet but Pacquiao was on top of him. Arguello got caught again, this time with a vicious three punch combination that sent him to the canvas again. Arguello, however, beat the count and survived the round.

Pacquiao stayed on the attack in the second and third rounds and was landing at will in the fourth. Arguello, trapped in his own corner, was being pounded. Suddenly, Arguello circled his way out of the corner, maneuvered Pacquiao against the ring post, and landed a haymaker of a right hand. Pacquiao fell on the seat of his pants in Arguello’s corner. Pacquiao struggled to his feet just as the bell rang.

With the crowd roaring, Arguello continued the attack in the fifth and sixth rounds but was unable to land solidly. Arguello, however, punched himself out by the eighth. Pacquiao responded with a quick flurry and then connected with back-to-back-to-back straight lefts that had Arguello out on his feet. The fight is stopped, Pacquiao wins in a thriller.

Result: Pacquiao defeats Alexis Arguello, eighth round KO

Manny Pacquiao versus Willie Pep (230-11-1)

Pep finished his career with well over 200 bouts and was a two-time featherweight champion. Known for his defensive skills – his biggest tale is winning a round without throwing  a punch – and won his first 65 bouts. Most of his bouts, as it was in her era, were long, drown out, brutal bouts.

Most of Pep’s opponents, however, were one dimensional. There was no retreat, no back peddling. However, Pep didn’t face fighters with the kind of speed in terms of punches and footwork that Pacquiao possessed.

That fact displayed itself early. Pep tried to dodge Pacquiao but the Filipino landed at will in the early going of the bout. Pep was getting peppered with straight lefts and was floored in the second and third.

Pacquiao was handling Pep, a surprise to ringsiders. It wasn’t just the speed of the punches; it was the impact of Pacquiao’s punches that caught Pep off guard. He was being hurt. By the fifth round Pep’s face was bruised and swollen. A straight left plants Pep on the canvas and opens a gash over the bridge of his nose. Pep gets caught again and he backs into the ropes, he is helpless as Pacquiao wails away. Pep is out on his feet. The fight is stopped, a stunning win for Pacquiao.

Result: Pacquiao defeats Pep, fifth round KO.

Manny Pacquiao versus Roberto Duran (103-16, 70 KOs)

Duran, considered the greatest lightweight titlist ever, held that title for a record seven years. Then he jumped to the welterweight division where he handled Ray Leonard. Then, 21 years into his career, Duran won the middleweight title with an emotional victory over Iran Barkley.

As for his bout with Pacquiao, there is no love-loss in this one. The snarling Duran taunted Pacquiao throughout the pre-fight process, twice persuading the normally friendly Pacquiao into press event squabbles.

Much like his bout with Leonard, Duran may have won this fight before the opening bell. Duran was fierce, angry at the world. He disliked Pacquiao’s popularity. Pacquiao was disgusted with Duran’s behavior and talked about how he wanted to beat Duran, which was new to the normally good-sported Pacquiao.

Pacquiao came out firing from all angles in the opening round, but Duran slipped and dodges the haymakers. It became evident that Duran’s defensive efforts were going to be a key in this one, Pacquiao missed wildly as Duran moved well around the ring.

By the fifth the fight was still close, but hard to judge. Duran hadn’t landed many telling blows and Pacquiao attack was off.

That’s when the tide turned. Duran began to fight flat footed against Pacquiao, who had expended a lot of energy. Duran’s body attack came into play; he followed up with left and right uppercuts that hurt Pacquiao.

Duran kept this pace, building a big lead into the final rounds. Duran got stronger and angrier, taunting Pacquiao. Duran lands a big left hook to the body and follows up with a straight right that rocks Pacquiao in the ninth. He finishes strong in the 13th and 14th rounds.

Pacquiao, trailing on the scorecards, rallied in the last round. But Duran toyed with Pacquiao, raising his hands in victory as Pacquiao watched.

Result: Duran defeats Pacquiao, unanimous decision

Manny Pacquiao versus Ray Robinson (175-19-6, 109 KOs)

There are plenty of reasons why fight fans say ‘Sugar’ is the greatest fighter ever. Robinson lost just one of his first 123 fights. That loss, to Jake La Motta, was avenged four other times.

Robinson was the complete package, so much so that Muhammad Ali credited Robinson every chance he could.

Robinson turned this one into a one-sided affair, almost making it look easy. Pacquiao was fast, but Robinson was faster. Pacquiao was strong, Robinson was stronger.

Robinson scored a flash knockdown in the opening round, catching Pacquiao as he charged in. Robinson floored Pacquiao again in the fifth as the two brawled. Robinson floored Pacquiao twice in the 14th as Pacquiao faded badly.

Robinson cruises through the 15th, Pacquiao’s faced bruised and bloodied had no answers for Robinson.

Result: Robinson defeats Pacquiao, unanimous decision.

Manny Pacquiao versus Ray Leonard (36-3-1, 25 KOs)

Leonard was a five-time world champion, starting at welterweight and ending at light heavyweight.

During his career Leonard forced the man with ‘Hands of Stone’ to surrender in the ring, KO’d the ‘Hitman,’ and took ‘Marvelous’ to school.

This turns out to be a rough night for Pacquiao.

Leonard was dancing on his toes, bouncing around the ring from the opening bell. Pacquiao struggled to cut off the ring. As was his fashion, Leonard finished the first few rounds with flurries that wowed the crowd and the judges.

Leonard was in complete control by the middle rounds. Pacquiao’s speed was no contest for Leonard’s ring generalship; Leonard moved Pacquiao around the ring at will and began to tee off on Pacquiao in rounds eight, nine and 10.

Leonard’s movement was too much, it frustrated Pacquiao. Leonard stood in one place long enough for Pacquiao to pound away.

Pacquiao’s power did display itself at times in the form of a few straight lefts, but Leonard shrugged off haymakers by Hearns and Hagler and went the distance with Duran.

The 13th was all Leonard and he did the Ali shuffle in the 14th, ending that round with a stinging array of punches that bounced off Pacquiao.

Always the showman, Leonard waved to the crowd at the opening of the 15th and urged them on. Pacquiao, physically unmarked but mentally defeated, tried to rally but Leonard was too elusive in the end.

Result: Leonard defeats Pacquiao, decision.

Manny Pacquiao’s record versus the All Time Greats: 4 wins, 6 losses.

Take a look at a photo gallery of the All Time Greats accompanied by this article.

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