even now, yes, even against a past prime pac
2. How much would it elevate floyd's all time ranking?
not enough to surpass srl who also ducked hagler for 5 years and beat the guy for calling all the shots
3. How will a loss to pac impact his legacy?
bigtime, his legacy is his unbeaten egg, if a damaged good pac omelette that golden egg, that will be humiliating, it will explain why the first nego failed..lol
?4. Will it affect his legacy if he retires without fighting pac?
yep, just like fighting pac will rank him higher in the atg...it will pull his legacy down cus boxing will really look bad if the best fight of this era never happens, mma will feast on it
?5. Between both, who had more fights against hall of fame caliber opponents?
PACQUIAO yo!
Interest in this fight has peaked and will never return to the level it was back in 2010 to 2011 when it really did seem we were close to getting some kind of deal done and both fighters were on a tear destroying each and every fighter put in front of them, so it seemed the logical thing their paths would meet in the ring. I don't know if they will still meet but recent performances have shown an apparent decline on both fighters proving they are no longer the same guys when the potential fight was first conceived.
If Floyd beats him, it would not be as significant a win as it would have been a few years ago, but Pacquiao is still Pacquiao and a win over him would definately be his biggest next to his win over De La Hoya.
I don't think a win by either guy over the other would elevate their all time rankings by much, they have both done well to build up their own names and respective legacy without being linked to the other.
Same answer for the loss, although a lot of fanboys on either side would take it hard if their guy lost...
I think the most damaging thing in all this is if these guys never fought each other. Somehow it seems worse for Floyd because he's the one always talking himself up and mentioning his perfect record.
Pacquiao had fights with mexican legends early in his career and fought the same HOF fighters as Floyd like Mosley and DLH at various points in their career but I give the edge to Pacquiao on this in fighting a more consistent level of opponent, but just by a bit.
Dishonor is like a scar on a tree, it gets worse with time. Floyd not fighting Manny is dishonorable, and if he doesn't fight Pacquiao, he forever blemishes his legacy. It really doesn't matter if he wins or loses should they fight, it really doesn't even matter when they fight. But if they don't fight, Floyd pretty much will always be looked upon as running from Pac, and that isn't something a true champion does. No Pacquiao fight on Mayweather's legacy pretty much ruins an otherwise spectacular career. The money and fame eventually goes, but the legacy is forever, and without fighting Pac, Floyd's legacy is not perfect, it is glaringly flawed.
5 years ago ... A lot.
Now ... Still significant but nowhere near as big as it could have been.
1. Yes. Even now. If they never fight, it will always be a blemish. It wouldnt be the nest win, but biggest on paper.
2. It actually would to a fair extent. Think Tyson v Lewis. Calzaghe v Jones/Hopkins. A fighter has to beat the other top names even if not at the ideal time. To never fight is always a bigger blemish than to beat them past prime. Especially if they also were past prime when it happens.
3. Not as huge given he has several losses. Would partly depend on the manner of the loss too.
4. Yes. Hugely. He will always remain a tier below the Sugar Rays if he doesnt fight and beat Pacquiao.
5. Pacquiao given he fought some guys several times.
I like him too, but he's avoided Manny for so long a win now means little IMO. A lose means a real negative and even worse if they never fight. He miss the most opportune period of time.
Not much, Manny is going downhill fast. A few years ago it would of meant something.
Like SRL vs Hagler.
1. Will it be floyd's biggest win?
2. How much would it elevate floyd's all time ranking?
3. How will a loss to pac impact his legacy?
4. Will it affect his legacy if he retires without fighting pac?
5. Between both, who had more fights against hall of fame caliber opponents?
