Last week, I examined how Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr would have fared against Julio Cesar Chavez, Alexis Arguello, Aaron Pryor, Wilfred Benitez, and Henry Armstrong. Now, we will take a deeper look on how they most likely would have fared against the next 5 best fighters of all time : Pernell Whitaker, Roberto Duran, Thomas Hearns, Sugar Ray Leonard, and Sugar Ray Robinson.

5) Pernell Whitaker
Pernell Whitaker was one of the top 5 defensive geniuses of all time. He had the ability to frustrate his opponents by standing right in front of them with his hands around his waist and making them miss. Whitaker was a very unorthodox boxer puncher who had a superior jab, hand speed, great ring generalship, and also had underrated body punching skills. Pernell Whitaker was a true practioner of the "sweet science".

vs Pacquiao
Prime vs Prime, this fight would have been in favor of Whitaker. Whitaker's defensive wizardry would have been to Pacquiao what a calculus problem is to a 1st grade math student. Pacquiao would be unable to solve the problem. But Pacquiao's frenetic style would have been enough to trouble Whitaker in certain spots because Whitaker would have been very aware of his dangerous power, forcing Whitaker to become defensive and allowing Pacquiao to steal rounds based on Pacquiao's effective aggressiveness. Pacquiao would be able to keep this fight interesting based on the fact that Whitaker was never a one puncher KO artist and his power would not be that bothersome to Pacquiao. The determing factor would have most likely been Pacquiao's inability to land cleanly enough due to the fact that Whitaker's superior all around style. Whitaker would have won a razor thin decision. However, if the right judges were judging this fight and they favored aggressiveness, then Pacquiao could have pulled out a narrow decision.

Vs. Mayweather
Defensive genius vs Defensive genius. Pace setter vs Pace setter. Pure boxer vs Pure boxer. This fight would have been the ultimate display of the sweet science at its best. Mayweather would have fought this fight the same way he fights all southpaws, with a high guard, lead right hand, scraping hard shots to the body, and shoulder rolling. On the other hand, Whitaker would have more than likely fought Floyd by confusing him with his great jab, inside body punching, and consistently changing angles on him. On the inside, Whitaker would have had a slight edge because he was a better body puncher than Floyd. The outcome of this fight would have largely depended on who would have been able to impose their will towards the end of the fight based on the fact that they are so equally matched. Mayweather's faster hands, harder punches, athleticism, and jab to the pit of the stomach and heart would have most likely carried him to a razor thin controversial decision with Whitaker claiming he was robbed.

4) Roberto Duran
Roberto Duran was one of the greatest fighters in the history of boxing. He had power, ring intelligence, inside fighting skills, solid counter punching skills, and defensive prowess. He could box coming forward while slipping, ducking, and rolling punches. He could cut off the ring as effectively as anybody in the sport because of his ability to close the distance with his fast feet. He could feint his way inside and unleash his vicious body attack. He had the mentality of "punch through the target, not at the target". Simply said, Roberto Duran could have beaten any lightweight in the history of boxing and beaten any welterweight not named Ray Robinson.

Vs Pacquiao
Manny Pacquiao vs. Roberto Duran would have been fought in a telephone booth. Pacquiao's ability to dart in and out of danger would have been taken away by Duran. There would have been darting in by Pacquiao but there would have been no darting out. Duran would have been right there with him punishing him with murderous shots to the body and head. Pacquiao's straight left and combination punching would have certainly kept Duran honest but his defensive intelligence would have prevented most of those punches from landing cleanly. The main difference why Duran would have won this fight is because of Pacquiao's weakness of "cover up to catch a breather" defense. Pacquiao's "catch a breather" defense would have felt like he was climbing Mount Everest if he attempted it with Duran because of Duran's ability to unleash his vicious body attack. Although Pacquiao is a sharpshooting machine, he cannot fight in a Ray Leonard type of style by sticking and moving which would have led to his demise against a fighter of Duran's caliber. Duran's body punching would have carried him to a 8-4 or 7-5 type of decision.

Vs Mayweather
Mayweather would have had to fight Duran the same way he did with Baldomir by running, moving, and not willing to take risks. The difference would have been that Duran would have chased him down and attacked him like a lion attacking his prey. If Mayweather attempted to pot shot from the outside, he would have infuriated Duran and made him more aggressive. Duran would have been able to close the distance and cut off the ring better than Baldomir while avoiding punches and unleashing his vicious body attack. If Mayweather chose to stand in the middle of the ring, he would have been outmuscled and mauled by Duran. If he decided to try to box in circles, Duran would have given him a mental breakdown because of the constant pressure, power punching, and ability to close the distance fast. If Mayweather tried to use his dirty tricks such as his classic "elbow to neck", Duran would have thrown vicious elbows and low blows to show him who the boss is. Mayweather's inability to shoe shine in close quarters would have been his undoing. No matter what strategy Mayweather would have tried, Duran would have had an answer for it. The outcome of this fight would have been a knockout of Mayweather in a late round stoppage against the harder punching, more rounded, intelligent fighter, Roberto Duran.

3) Thomas Hearns
Thomas Hearns was one of the most devasting punchers of all time. Whenever Tommy Hearns' right hand landed flush, it was like a bazooka hitting its target. Hearns also posessed a superior, long, snapping, and powerful jab which was also one of the best jabs in the history of boxing. He could use the jab coming forward or to box an opponent. Hearns was also never outboxed in his entire career, even by opponents who were considered to be better boxers than him. Hearns also had very underrated hand speed which many of his opponent's underestimated. In order to beat Hearns, opponents had to crowd him and take away his space much like Hagler and Leonard did.

Vs Pacquiao
A Pacquiao vs Hearns matchup would have been a complete mismatch. Pacquiao would have been too small to compete with such a skilled murderous puncher as Tommy Hearns. Hearn's height and reach would have been too much for the smaller Pacquiao to overcome. Pacquiao's only chance would have been to crowd Hearns the same way Hagler did and not give him room to breathe. However, if Pacquiao would have attempted such a foolish act, he would have been knocked out and hurt badly. Hearns would have started on the first round utilizing his snapping, hard jab to keep Pacquiao at bay with right hand bombs coming right behind the jabs. Although Pacquiao's ability to take a punch is next to none, his chin would not have held up against the powerful Hearns. The first flush right hand that would have landed would have been lights out for Pacquiao. This fight would have been reminiscent of Hagler-Hearns except Hearns would have knocked out Pacquiao inside of 3-5 rounds maximum.

Vs Mayweather
Floyd Mayweather's uncle Roger once stated that the key to beating his nephew is by using the jab. Well Hearns' jab was as good as anybody who ever laced up a pair of boxing gloves. Mayweather would not have been able to outbox Hearns considering the fact that Tommy was never outboxed. If Floyd attempted to press the fight the same way Leonard and Hagler did, it would been an early night. Hearns would have brutally knocked Mayweather out. Floyd's jab to the pit of the stomach, check left hook, pull back counter, or lead right hand would not have been enough to earn Tommy's respect. If Floyd attempted the pull back counter, Hearn's right hand would have landed before Floyd's and the fight would have been instantly over. The only way for Mayweather could have survived this fight would have been for him to run and run fast. Hearns would have won this fight by brutal KO or by giving Floyd the beating of his life en route to a unanimous decision.

2) Sugar Ray Leonard
Sugar Ray Leonard was a classic boxer-puncher and was the complete package. He could dance and box as swiftly as a prime Ali or he could turn slugger and press the action. Leonard could throw every punch in the book from jabs, hooks, uppercuts, and right hands. He could punch in flurries as fast as any fighter in the history of the sport. He had speed, power, stamina, high ring IQ, foot speed, great chin, mental toughness, and understood the psychology of boxing as good as Ali. He was also an intellectual and had charisma which made him a media favorite.

Vs Pacquiao
Sugar Ray Leonard vs Manny Pacquiao would have been a classic display of heart, determination, and will and skill. Both fighters would have utilized their hand speed, power punching, and fast feet to try out do each other. Leonard's fast combination punching and jab would have kept Pacquiao at bay. But Pacquiao's ability to dip to his right and land the left or dip to his left and land his right would have also been problematic for Leonard. This fight would have certainly had both fighters taste the canvas at some point with each fighter getting into an animalistic frame of mind after getting up. Leonard would have almost certainly used the bolo punch and the Ali shuffle to get inside Pacquiao's head which would have angered Pacquiao and played right into Leonard's hands. The determining factor would have been Leonard's considerable advantages in height, reach, and overall size combined with skill. Although this fight would have been very competitive for the first half, Leonard would have most likely TKO'd Pacquiao in the later rounds due to his superior skills in every department.

Vs Mayweather
Mayweather Jr once disrespected Sugar Ray by telling him he would have beat him if the two ever fought in their primes. However, Floyd struggling to beat a past his prime De La Hoya would say otherwise. In his prime, Leonard was 10 times better than Oscar. Leonard would have not stopped using the jab. He would not have became fatigued as the fight wore on. And Leonard would have put some serious power behind his fast power punches. That could have only spelled disaster for Mayweather Jr. But let's give credit for credit is due. Mayweather's shoulder rolling, lead right hand, leaping left hooks, and his defensive prowess would have given Leonard fits in the early going. The fight would have been a give and take affair for 3 quarters of the fight based on the fact that both fighters are so gifted. After that, it would be Leonard who would impose his will on Floyd. He would have pinned Mayweather against the ropes and unleased a vicious head and body attack. If Mayweather could spin off the ropes and take the fight to the middle of the ring, Leonard's consistent jab would have more than likely swelled Mayweather's eye and limited his vision. With Mayweather's inability to see, Leonard would have moved in and landed his classic combination of right uppercut to the body, left hook to the head, and right hand over the top, and Mayweather would have wilted and went into full retreat mode. Leonard would have also had the psychological edge on Mayweather by Leonard's use of the Ali shuffle and bolo punch. In short, Leonard's appetite to take more risks is what would have carried him to a victory by a late round stoppage or a clear cut decision.

1) Sugar Ray Robinson
If there was ever a such thing as a perfect fighter, Sugar Ray Robinson was the poster boy. Robinson had mental toughness, perfect balance, lateral movement, amazing hand speed, never ending stamina, one punch knockout power in either hand, could move like a butterfly, had a chin made of cast iron, amazing defense, and his body punching was superb. Robinson was also one of the greatest finishers in the history of boxing. He could box going forward, going backwards, and going sideways.

Vs Pacquiao
Unfortunately, this fight would have only lasted 1-3 rounds. Pacquiao's power landing on Robinson would have been like a marshmallow being thrown at a lion's head. In Robinson's era, he was acustomed to getting hit with 6oz gloves by hard punchers. Once Robinson would have landed a combination on Pacquiao, he would have been seriously hurt. Pacquiao's pride would have made him get up but Robinson would have moved in for the kill. Robinson would win this fight by one of the most brutal knockouts in the history of boxing. More than likely, Robinson would have took a few years off Pacquiao's career, if not ended it.

Vs Mayweather
A fight vs Sugar Ray Robinson would have been too much to ask of Floyd Mayweather Jr. There would have been a huge disparity in skill, power, size, heart, and speed if Mayweather would have ever fought a fighter of Robinson's caliber. Unfortunately, Mayweather, just like Pacquiao, would have been knocked out in brutal fashion and his career shortened and possibly ended in one night. There would have been nothing Mayweather could have done to compete with Sugar Ray Robinson. Shoulder rolling, elbows to neck, pot shotting, pull back counters, check hooks, and pretty much everything Mayweather would have attempted would have been nullified by Robinson. It would have never even got to a point where Mayweather could have attempted any of that because Robinson would have put him to sleep in less than 3 rounds. This fight would have been one of the biggest mismatches in the history of boxing. Mayweather's only chance of getting out of this fight without sustaining any serious injuries would have been for him to pull a "no mas" after one round with Robinson.

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