Manny Pacquiao (62-8-2) is a beloved figure in the boxing community. The Filipino legend has achieved numerous accolades in his career, including being the first eight-division world champion in boxing history. He’s also the only boxer to win a championship in four different decades (1990s, 2000s, 2010s, 2020s), showcasing his longevity and boxing prowess.
Pacquiao’s taken down numerous prominent boxers, including Oscar De La Hoya, Miguel Cotto, and Shane Mosley. However, there was one fight that got away from him. It’s a fight that would’ve catapulted the legendary boxer to new heights, putting him among the best in the sport.
What If Manny Pacquiao Beat Floyd Mayweather Jr.?
On May 2, 2015, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Manny Pacquiao faced off against Floyd Mayweather Jr. The fight was a title unification fight, with the Filipino boxer putting up his WBO welterweight title on the line. For Mayweather Jr., he had welterweight titles from The Ring, WBC, and the WBA.
The fight was an epic bout, going the full 12 rounds. A fight years in the making, both fighters traded blows and showcased their styles. With Mayweather Jr. putting on a defensive clinic, he won via unanimous decision. He threw 67 more punches and connected on 34% of them, unifying the titles.
But what if the results were reversed? For one, Pacquiao would’ve been the undisputed champion. Dropping to 47-1, the Grand Rapids native would’ve lost the titles as well. Another Notch In His Belt
Another Notch In His Belt
Floyd Mayweather Jr. (50-0) would’ve also suffered his first loss, ending his incredible run. The world would’ve seen the boxing prowess and aggression of the Filipino fighter. Manny Pacquiao was a smart boxer, looking for precise strikes and adding a hint of power to boot.
Imagine taking down one of the best boxers in the sport’s modern history. It would’ve been one of the bigger upsets to happen. With Mayweather knocked off his perch, Pacquiao would’ve told a great story with his victory.
However, life isn’t as fair as we’d want it to be. You can’t always get what you want, which is especially true here. Taking down the hyped-up Mayweather would’ve been perfect for a humble being like Manny Pacquiao. Oh well, one can dream, right?
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Jacob Walters is a boxing/MMA writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @IceColdWJacob
