If Manny Pacquiao Defeats Cotto, is he a greater fighter than Alexis Arguello?

[cotto20]

Well??????

Discuss

[Sweet Pea]

I wouldn't argue with anyone who stated as much.

[GPater11093]

I love Arguello

but i think Pacquiao is already raked ahead of him as much as i hate to admit it.

What Pacquiaos accomplished is phenomenal. His record is slightly lacking but a win over Cotto and another big fight win should seal him as a top 20 if not top 10 fighter.

It took me awhile to recognise what Pacmans done, but hopefully in 20 years hes lauded as the greatest fighter since SRR and i look clever.

Also i am by no means a Pac fan

[Beeston Brawler]

Tough one.

I really hate to stick the boot in to Pacquiao but, in hindsight obviously, there does seem to be an element of cherry picking about his recent bouts - barring Marquez obviously.

Barrera was way past his best and had been outpointed conclusively by JMM last time out, Marquez (IMO) beat him (again), Diaz was handpicked, DLH was a calculated, albeit clever, gamble, whilst Hatton nearly got KTFO by a faded Lazcano before a better showing vs Paulie.

Don't get me wrong, he is a great, great fighter, but this is getting out of hand at the moment.

[lefthook31]

Its not going to happen.

[Shake]

I love Arguello

but i think Pacquiao is already raked ahead of him as much as i hate to admit it.

What Pacquiaos accomplished is phenomenal. His record is slightly lacking but a win over Cotto and another big fight win should seal him as a top 20 if not top 10 fighter.

It took me awhile to recognise what Pacmans done, but hopefully in 20 years hes lauded as the greatest fighter since SRR and i look clever.

Also i am by no means a Pac fan

I am not one for strong language, but sincerely -- greatest fighter since SRR my ass.

[sweet_scientist]

The fact that I think Arguello would ko Pac from 126-135 will always give me pause for answering I think, no matter what Manny goes on to accomplish.

[abraq]

Manny Pacquiao is already equal to or slightly ahead of Arguello. The only thing which Arguello has over Manny, at this stage, is time on top. But achievment wise, I think that the Pacman is already abreast or slightly ahead. In due time, he will surely push ahead.

[GPater11093]

I am not one for strong language, but sincerely -- greatest fighter since SRR my ass.

i dont think that in fact i would say Pacquiao is just ahead of Arguello with the potentil to be top 20 OAT.

I was just saying if people do start saying how good Pacquiao was in say 20 years i was someone at the time advocating how good he was

The fact that I think Arguello would ko Pac from 126-135 will always give me pause for answering I think, no matter what Manny goes on to accomplish.

agree completly i think Arguello beats Pac from FW to LWW

[PowerPuncher]

Pacquaio's weight jumping is already up there as 1 of the very best of all time. That doesn't make him P4P the best at any weight he's fought at as I don't believe he was. I always thought Guzman would have beat him from 126-135 and Roach admitting to not wanted any part of that fight.

In terms of head to head we have 2 vastly contrasting styles. Pacquaio has the better speed, snap in his shots, better footwork, and probably more workrate, Arguello maybe has better punching technique, maybe better timing and more rangyness. There seems to be an opinion that Arguello would outbox and out time Pacquaio the way Marquez did, but Arguello isn't as fast as JMM for 1 thing. I'm not sure who wins but I'd lean towards Paquiao beating Arguello, he has allot in common with Pryor but is a straighter sharper shooter but then again Arguello may time that right hand down the pipe on him, get the jab landing and smashing that left hook to the body. Would be a backburner

[sweet_scientist]

Pacquaio's weight jumping is already up there as 1 of the very best of all time. That doesn't make him P4P the best at any weight he's fought at as I don't believe he was. I always thought Guzman would have beat him from 126-135 and Roach admitting to not wanted any part of that fight.

In terms of head to head we have 2 vastly contrasting styles. Pacquaio has the better speed, snap in his shots, better footwork, and probably more workrate, Arguello maybe has better punching technique, maybe better timing and more rangyness. There seems to be an opinion that Arguello would outbox and out time Pacquaio the way Marquez did, but Arguello isn't as fast as JMM for 1 thing. I'm not sure who wins but I'd lean towards Paquiao beating Arguello, he has allot in common with Pryor but is a straighter sharper shooter but then again Arguello may time that right hand down the pipe on him, get the jab landing and smashing that left hook to the body. Would be a backburner

Their chins is the major issue in this match up imo. Pac has been hurt by much lesser hitters than Arguello, and Arguello has shown that he can take massive amounts of punishment before submitting.

[Flea Man]

His resume is getting damn, damn good is Pacmans.

But in a hypothetical matchup, as already stated, Arguello would muller him.

[GDG]

I have them around equal at the moment....but I think Pac will surpass him.

[Flea Man]

As good as Pac's resume is, a clear loss to Cotto and a career that tapers out could have a lot of people thinking 'was I wrong to rate him so highly'.

He has a career that can be picked apart quite easily, leaving him with only some amazing wins. However, the fact that his power has followd him so much leaves no doubt that he's an ATG puncher.

As much as Arguello? That remains to be seen. I consider Arguello to be a 'perfect puncher', in terms of technique, delivery, precision and also being heavy handed.

Manny is clearly powerful, but what he has over Arguello is (obviously) foot/handspeed.

I personally think that if Pac beats Cotto decisively he will surpass Arguello by a few places on my list (which is never anywhere near conclusive anyway)

Personally though, I think Cotto is going to beat him. Two of my current faves, at least if Manny loses we will see Pac-JMM 3 at 140 for The Ring belt.

[Jack]

I don't see any argument for Arguello having a better resume. Arguello doesn't have a win as good as prime Barrera. When you consider how green Pacquiao was then, it's incredible. Had Arguello beaten Pryor in their first fight, that would have matched the first Barrera fight, but obviously he didn't.

[JudgeDredd]

If he beats Cotto & Mayweather, it'd be tough to argue with.

[GDG]

How would opinions differ had Arguello beaten Pryor and retired??

[redrooster]

I'm sorry but the answer is no

[Minotauro]

I think if Pac were to beat Cotto he would be right up there with Whitaker, Chavez, Arguello and Jofre. A win over Floyd would place him even higher.

[Flea Man]

I think if Pac were to beat Cotto he would be right up there with Whitaker, Chavez, Arguello and Jofre. A win over Floyd would place him even higher.

Agreed, and those are the exact fighters I place in 'that' bracket. Just before the top 15 (bear in mind that I don't rank fighters I haven't seen substantial footage of) :good

[la-califa]

No, But probably better than Norris. ( Just kidding 'Roost)!!!

[Flea Man]

No, But probably better than Norris. ( Just kidding 'Roost)!!!

You shouldn't be kiddin, Pac is already leagues above Norris.

[Popkins]

Well??????

Discuss

Right now I think I would rank Pacquiao around 30-35 OAT.

Right now I think I would rank Arguello around 25 OAT.

If Pacquiao beats Cotto, I think it would be a truly timeless, remarkable win, one of if not the best of the decade. Historically speaking, when else has a former flyweight and former superbantamweight champion moved up and beaten one of the two best fighters in the welterweight division, and took his belt?

Normally I wouldn't even consider a leap of around 5 places for 1 win, but this would be a special win because it's such a unique achievement.

I'm not sure I would rate him higher than Arguello, but I would certainly have him around the same level, and would not argue with anyone who did have Pac a few places higher.