Who is the Greatest Boxer of All-Time Muhammad Ali or Manny Pacquiao

Few decades ago, the planet witnessed the heroics of Muhammad Ali in the boxing ring. Ali’s rise to the pinnacle of the sport of boxing was mercurial and truly inspirational. He was an immovable force with his gloves, dominated almost his opponents that comes on his way, and hugged the boxing limelight during his heydays. Ali is a three-time World Heavyweight Champion, who once carried the name Cassius Clay when not yet converted to Muslim. He is considered to be one of the best boxers ever in the world. Many boxing fans and pundits all over the world even consider him as the greatest boxer that had ever lived. He was the 1960 Rome Summer Olympics gold medallist in the light heavyweight category and became the first ever boxer to win the most prestigious lineal heavyweight championship (the best ever on his weight category) not once, not twice, but yes three times.

“It will be a killa... and a chilla... and a thrilla... when I get the gorilla in Manila"

"Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee."

"Rope a dope."

Carrying the moniker “The Greatest,” Ali figured in several memorable fights in the annals of boxing history. He battled Joe Frazier thrice and faced George Foreman once. His dramatic trilogy with Frazier started in a boxing bout dubbed as the “Fight of the Century,” last March 8, 1971. True enough the fight last the distance at 15^th round with Frazier living up to his expectation and inflicting Ali his first ever loss as a professional boxer. But Ali was not to be discouraged as he got the chance to face his nemesis again by hacking out a hard-fought split decision over Ken Norton in 1973. The second fight between these two boxing behemoths saw the hungry Ali winning the bout via unanimous decision to even the score at one win a piece for both pugilists. And last but definitely not the least, the third bout between Ali and Frazier was held in Manila, Philippines in January 28, 1974 as the match was called “Thrilla in Manila”. Ali which is known for his trash talking throughout his career, even mocked at his opponent saying, “It will be a killa... and a chilla... and a thrilla... when I get the gorilla in Manila." Ali prevailed in fourteenth round cementing his status as one of the best boxers of all-time.

His match with Foreman was also very popular and also much anticipated. The fight between Foreman and Ali was dubbed as the “Rumble in the Jungle,” and was held in Kinshasa, Zaire last October 30, 1974. Ali was the underdog on this match but Lady Luck seemed to be smiling on him as he pulled one of the greatest upsets ever in the boxing history. Using his so-called “The Rope A Dope” tactics, Ali leaned on the ropes, shellacking himself with a tight defense and went onto absorb punches to his body. Ali also popularized the quotation, “"float like a butterfly, sting like a bee,” referring to his uncanny techniques while fighting in the ring, that is, employing high-octane offense coupled with a very tough defense. All in all, Ali compiled a superb record of 56 wins, 5 losses and 37 of his wins was by way of knockouts (KOs).

The world truly was fascinated with Ali, but there is a name in boxing that also merits great consideration as not only one of the boxing greatest fighters but also the premier boxer in the planet to date. The boxer I am talking all about is Manny Pacquiao, the Philippine’s pride and hero. Pacquiao is a not just a work in progress but truly a class of his own. He stripped many world champions of their title belts and his illustrious list of victims falling prey to his sheer strength, sharp wits, lightning speed movements, variety of potent combinations and powerful punches, continues to grow. Larger than life it may seems, he toppled many great names in boxing like Mexicans Marco Antonio Barrera, the boxer with a granite chin Eric Morales, and the resilient Juan Manuel Marquez, and bigger and heftier opponents such as future Hall of Famer Oscar Dela Hoya, the British sensation Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, the durable David Diaz, and just recently Joshua Clottey. He could’ve earned at least 25 Million dollars if only if his fight with scared Floyd Mayweather Jr. pushes through.

1. The current WBO World Welterweight reigning champion and The Ring’s World Junior Welterweight champion, and the world’s number 1 pound-for-pound boxer by The Ring and BoxRec.

2. Pacquiao was formerly the IBO World Junior Welterweight champion, WBC World Lightweight champion, WBC World Super Featherweight champion, IBF World Super Bantamweight champion, and WBC World Flyweight champion. Additionally, the Filipino champion is also the former The Ring, World Featherweight and World Super Featherweight champion.

3. Pacquiao is the first ever pugilist in history to bag seven world titles in seven different weight divisions. Moreover, he is the only boxer to win the much coveted and prestigious lineal championship in four various weight divisions. And the lists of great achievements doesn’t end their Pacquiao was declared as the 2000-2009 "Fighter of the Decade" by the Boxing Writers Association of America. Pacquiao improved his record to 8 world division titles in as many weight divisions.

4. Pacquiao holds a record of 51 Wins (38 by way of Knockout), 3 Loses, 2 Draws. Better winning percentage than Ali.

Updates

5. Just collared the WBC Super Welterweight World Title at the expense of Antonio Margarito. To become only the boxer in the planet to annex eight (8) world boxing titles in as many weight divisions.

6. He is also listed as the number one pound-for-pound boxer in the world by sporting news and boxing websites, including Sports Illustrated, ESPN, NBC Sports, Yahoo! Sports and About.com.

7. Won numerous citations and awards already.

Outside the ring

8. He is the current congressman on his native province Saranggani, Philippines.

If the accomplishments of the two will speak who is the greatest boxer of all time, Manny Pacquiao has the distinct edge between them.

Author's Note: This is my personal opinion...

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