Does Atlas have it in for Pacquiao or what?
The fan that I am of Manny Pacquiao, Teddy Atlas does raise valid questions, although I don’t agree, it can make one ponder. - Joe Leinhauser
Source: Bleacher Report/Jeremiah Yap
World renowned trainer, Teddy Atlas, has long been a vocal skeptic of Manny Pacquiao’s accomplishments in the ring. On ESPN, Atlas continued to discredit Pacquiao’s rise as one of the greatest boxers to ever live. No matter how much of a critic you are it’s tough to discredit Manny’s accolades. Remember, the current pound-for-pound king has been named the fighter of the past decade and three-time fighter of the year by the Boxing Writers Association of America. He was the first to win ten world titles and the first to capture eight divisional world championships. It’s hard to fathom why a respected trainer and analyst such as Atlas deny the credit Pacquiao deserves.
Atlas’ argues that Pacquiao is not on his all-time top 20 list because compared to the other fighters from the past decade Pacquiao hasn’t fought “300 fights” and hasn’t fought “30 times in one year.” Unlike Henry Armstrong, Pacquiao has benefitted from the many divisions now present in boxing. It’s very difficult to compare fighters from different eras. Even the most respected trainers, boxers and experts have difficulty doing this. In this day and age, it’s impossible to fight 300 fights a year. That’s almost like fighting everyday. If Pacquiao did this he can say good-bye to Jimmy Kimmel guest spots, politics, post fight concerts and recording sessions.
Atlas also questioned some of Pacquiao’s recent wins. He told Scoop Jackson and Skip Bayless on ESPN, “[Pacquiao] beat up Cotto, who was already, damaged goods. [Cotto] got beat up psychologically and physically by Margarito [before Pacquiao fought him].”
Even when he declares that Pacquiao is a “great talent”, he manages to do a complete 180 by adding, “who did [Pacquiao] really beat to be at that top place?”
Not too long ago Atlas was also one of Floyd Mayweather Jr’s supporters when the Mayweather camp accused Pacquiao of steroid use.
“From sources that told me, they said that people in the Pacquiao camp sent a couple of e-mails to the Mayweather camp a few weeks ago, about two to three weeks ago,” Atlas said. “And the first e-mail was ‘What would the penalty be if our guy tested positive?’ and the second e-mail was ‘If he did test positive, could we keep this a secret for the benefit of boxing?’
There’s nothing wrong with rooting against Pacquiao, but to deny the legitimacy of his wins? Jumping on the Mayweather bandwagon filled with accusations of steroid use is a personal attack, especially when it comes from a respected boxing mind.
Atlas may be half right in denying Pacquiao his place on his all-time list. But it isn’t Pacquiao’s fault. Who is left for him to fight? Mayweather, who is Pacquiao’s equal in skill and drawing power, doesn’t want to fight him. The fight may never happen and we may never know just how good Mayweather and Pacquiao really are.
It isn’t clear why Atlas continues to knock Pacquiao. Does he have something against Freddie Roach or Bob Arum? No one really knows the reason why Atlas is down on the pound-for-pound king, but I would sure like to see his all-time top 20 list.
