MANNY AND JMM

Manny is the only fighter in the history of boxing to win four legitimate titles in four different divisions. Now a HUGE reason for that is the doubling in the number of divisions. Bob Fitzsimmons won the only belt in existence across five of today's divisions, Barney Ross did the same across four of today's divisions, the forever too easily forgotten Tony Canzoneri did as well and got a draw in a fight that would have turned the four into six and of course Homicide Hank had the belts from 126-147 (five divisions) and got a draw going for seven of today's divisions.

I think Manny, with only a little self-discipline as far as his diet, could still perform at 135 with the day before weigh-ins. Juan Manuel Marquez is the closest thing Manny has had to a nemisis and he is THE MAN at 135. Now I happen to think that both of their fights were too close to call from TV and that the recordbook is the recordbook and Manny got the nod in one and they drew in the first, so be it.

Manny should simply act as if Floyd Mayweather Junior will never fight him. I now believe that is the most rational belief in any case. What Manny should do is sign to fight JMM early next year at Azteca Stadium with Las Vegas judges and Las Vegas referee. Why? Manny can add another notch on his greatness belt by winning THE title in his fifth division. He can also answer any remaining critics by defeating JMM on his home turf, in front those wonderful rabid, looney Mexican fans, in what would be one of the great scenes for a fight in the history of the sport. JMM showed last night he is still a great champion and worthy of being taken seriously.

Now what would that fight look like? I think Manny is a VERY different fighter than he was 2+ years ago and that the technical gap has closed considerably. JMM is still technically superior, but I think Manny's technique is now good enough to enable his athletic superiority to be the deciding element. JMM gets hit way too much. I think Manny takes him apart in six rounds or less. But styles make fights and it is entirely possible that JMM's brain keeps the playing field close. Don't you want to see it? Wouldn't you pay for it?

Come on Manny! Take the risk! Give JMM every edge and test your greatness once again. Don't wait for Mayweather, he ain't coming.

Assuming you win that fight Manny? There is only one more fight available to you that would really mean anything from a history perspective. It's almost impossible to even think about, but in some ways it measures what Manny has really accomplished. Manny? Say hello to middleweight king Sergio Martinez.

only Pac fight i will order other than Maywaether is a 3rd Marquez fight

Birdofthad wrote:

only Pac fight i will order other than Maywaether is a 3rd Marquez fight

Really not his fault Mayweather won't fight. You wouldn't watch Paul Williams or Sergio Martinez or bradley or Berto?

While I think Manny would throttle JMM at this point, I'd like to see it. I'm fine with Manny fighting whoever he wants and taking some paydays on his way out though. There really aren't that many intriguing matchups out there IMO (that I give a legitimate chance of being made)

marbleheadmaui wrote:

Birdofthad wrote:

only Pac fight i will order other than Maywaether is a 3rd Marquez fight

Really not his fault Mayweather won't fight. You wouldn't watch Paul Williams or Sergio Martinez or bradley or Berto?

I would i just know we will never get that we will get Margarito and then cotto again and then he will challenge Chavez Jr for a middleweight title

Birdofthad wrote:

marbleheadmaui wrote:

Birdofthad wrote:

only Pac fight i will order other than Maywaether is a 3rd Marquez fight

Really not his fault Mayweather won't fight. You wouldn't watch Paul Williams or Sergio Martinez or bradley or Berto?

I would i just know we will never get that we will get Margarito and then cotto again and then he will challenge Chavez Jr for a middleweight title

I hear ya. I hope you are wrong, but I hear ya.

i honestly think im one of the only ones who wants to see Floyd or Manny fight Berto over Paul Williams, for all the shit berto gets the guy wins fights, something that Danny Javcobs and Victor Ortiz isnt as easy as thought

i completely agree wtih your article but i think it was a sign when we didnt get Marquez in March and got Clottey instead and know we get Margarito that Bob aint going outside of TOp Rank unless its for 1 fight that will never happen

Marble you need to apply to be a boxing writer. Call Ring magazine or some other great organization and get them to hire you.

As for the fight I have wanted this fight for a very long time. Make it happen Bob.

I would love to see it as well. I think Pac is too good at this point but you never know. I wonder if he can make 135. He might need an interim fight at 140 to get more comfortable at lower weights again. Maybe the winner of Bradley-Alexander

A quick question about Manny: do you think he is more likely to win the WW Ring belt or the JMW Ring belt? I am sure they will remove Sergio soon from the JMW rankings. If Cotto's next two fights are Cintron and Angulo, he could be the Ring champ at a weight class for the first time. I think Cotto easily beats Cintron but Angulo is a bigger, meaner, younger Margarito and might kill Cotto. But if Cotto gets those good wins, you know Arum would love Pac-Cotto 2.

I don't want to see Pac v. JMM. Pac has evolved as a fighter since their first fights, and he doesn't appear to have lost any athleticism.

JMM had trouble with Diaz in their first fight because of his pressure and quick hands. Manny has that with speed, power, quicker reactions, and a wider variety of punches. I see no scenario in which JMM lasts halfway through the fight. I'd rather Pac go to 140 and fight the best there or take on Berto at 147.

Only if it's at Lightweight, but Freddie's already expressed his fears over a grumpy hungry Manny so it's highly unlikely.

JMM is 37 years old and can't fight higher than 135