It was only a couple months ago that a 44-year-old Floyd Mayweather returned to the ring — in a bizarre exhibition bout — against a YouTuber.
Mayweather did his thing against a low-risk, hand-picked, out-matched opponent and walked away, as always, with more money than he knows what to do with.
On Sunday (AEST), a 42-year-old Manny Pacquiao gets back in the ring after two years of inactivity as he tries to win a world title fight in a fourth different decade.
Spot the difference?
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It’s a contrast that speaks to the juxtaposing legacies of two men who are inextricably linked after a decades-long rivalry that produced just one fight; a 2015 win for Mayweather.
Mayweather has the win and the flawless record. And got out at the right time, for him at least. But it’s hard to argue he’s got a better resume than Pacquiao, who can solidify his place among the greatest of the greats with a win over Yordenis Ugas in Las Vegas.
The American recently claimed Pacquiao is still fighting because “he has to”.
“He’s fighting with a YouTuber just to earn money,” Pacquiao fired back.
“And I’m fighting the best to add to my legacy, so that’s different. To fight an easy opponent for the money or to fight one of the best to add to your legacy. It’s different.”
Pacquiao has already technically held world titles in four different decades; the WBA belt he’ll fight for against Ugas was taken from him due to his idleness.
He’s also the only man to have won world titles in eight different weight divisions. The Philippines senator’s lineal championships in five weight divisions is also a record.
The records are ridiculous. Maybe more impressive has been Pacquiao’s willingness to fight just about anyone at any time and at any weight; a mindset that stands in stark contrast to his long-time foe Mayweather, who he still hopes to fight again.
Pacquiao’s fight history is littered with battles with the sport’s greatest; rematches, trilogies, and that four-fight war with Juan Manuel Marquez.
Driven by an insatiable appetite to compete, Pacquiao’s greatest strength has been his longevity, of course. But also, his ability to lose and come back for more.
Watch Pacquiao vs Ugas live on Main Event, available on Foxtel and Kayo on Sunday 22 August at 11am AEST. ORDER NOW >
The Mayweather defeat in 2015 sparked the question: is Pacquiao done?
By 2016, he was a world champion again.
A famous defeat in 2017 against Jeff Horn ignited similar doubts.
By 2018, there was Pacquiao, with another world title.
Since losing to Horn, Pacquiao has notched wins against Lucas Martin Matthysse, Adrien Broner, and Keith Thurman.
And now, 26 years on from his professional debut, which came in 1995, and 23 years on from his first world title in 1998, Pacquiao will fight again.
“Manny Pacquiao is surely one of the greatest fighters of the modern era,” Hall of Fame broadcaster Larry Merchant said. “One of a kind.”
A defeat could spell the end. Although, we know Pacquiao doesn’t want to go out a loser. A win, and it could also be the end, if he so chooses.
Does he have anything left to accomplish in boxing?
“Yes,” Pacquiao told PBC ON FOX. “To erase the debate of who is the greatest boxer of all time.”
“And that would be you?” Kate Abdo asked.
“I don’t know,” Pacquiao answered.
“That’s why I’m still fighting.”
Watch Pacquiao vs Ugas live on Main Event, available on Foxtel and Kayo on Sunday 22 August at 11am AEST. ORDER NOW >
