Boxing Legend Says He Would Beat ‘Pitiful’ Floyd Mayweather And Manny Pacquiao: “I’m The Greatest”

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao defined a generation in boxing.

Although their 2015 bout took place past the peak of both, the individual periods of Mayweather and Pacquiao’s prime dominance remain a significant chapter of the sport’s narrative.

Mayweather famously retired undefeated, although one fellow Hall of Fame fighter is supremely confident that would not have been the case if he was around, and he added Pacquiao – who has lost just eight times in 72 contests – into the mix, too.

In his autobiography I Am Duran, Panamanian icon Roberto Duran sets the tone early on.

“When I retired I would gladly have beaten the crap out of all the deadbeats in the sport. The same goes with the boxers today: Pacquiao, Mayweather – they’re pitiful. I could have beaten them all.

“People rate me as the greatest lightweight of all time. And why not? I think I am.”

Known for his aggressive, relentless fighting style and formidable punching power, Duran’s prime saw him dominate the lightweight division, where he held the WBA title for several years and successfully defended it numerous times, often by knockout. His ability to apply constant pressure and deliver punishing blows earned him the moniker ‘Hands of Stone’ and a reputation as a truly fearsome fighter.

A fantasy bout with Mayweather would put the American’s defensive skill to the ultimate test, whereas a fight against Pacquiao – with his whirlwind offence – would be an instant classic.

Duran and Mayweather have closed the book on professional boxing, but Pacquiao believes he still has was it takes at age 46 to return and win a world title. He faces WBC Welterweight World Champion Mario Barrios next month.