LAS VEGAS (July 15, 2009) –The two greatest pound-for-pound boxers today, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr., lead a group of six active champions in “The World’s Greatest Ever Boxers” (TWGEB) promotion.
On-line voting at www.GreatestEver.com allows boxing fans from around the world to select the greatest boxer in each of the original eight weight classes, highlighted by the all-time pound-for-pound “Greatest Ever.”
Pacquiao (49-3-2, 37 KOs), riding a 10-fight win streak against a contemporary “Who’s Who” list of world-class boxers, is 3-0 versus other TWGEB nominees, Marco Antonio Barrera (twice) and Oscar de la Hoya. A candidate in TWGEB featherweight division, “Pac Man” has held world titles in five different weight classes, defeating other world champions such as Ricky Hatton, David Diaz, Juan Manuel Marquez and Erik Morales (twice).
Mayweather (39-0, 25 KOs) joins Rocky Marciano, Ricardo Lopez, and Joe Calzaghe as the only unbeaten TWGEB nominees. “Pretty Boy” Floyd, or “Money” Mayweather, retired after stopping Hatton in December of 2007, but he’s returning September 19 to fight Marquez. Mayweather, a lightweight TWGEB candidate, has captured six world titles in five different weight classes.
The four other active fighters who are TWGEB nominees are middleweight Bernard “The Executioner” Hopkins (49-5-1, 32 KOs), featherweight Marcos Antonio “Baby Faced Assassin” Barrera (65-7, 43 KOs), bantamweight Hosumi Hasegawa (26-2, 10 KOs) and flyweight Vic “The Raging Bull” Darchinyan (32-2-1, 26 KOs).
Hopkins, arguably the No. 3 rated pound-for-pound fighter today, hasn’t been active since, at the tender age of 44, shocking previously unbeaten Kelly Pavlik last October. Barrera hasn’t fought since losing to Amir Khan this past March by a bloody fifth-round technical decision. Hasegawa makes his ninth WBA bantamweight title defense tonight (July 14) against Nestor Roche in Japan, while Darchinyan moved-up in weight to bantamweight and lost last Saturday night to IBF title-holder Koseph Agbeko by 12-round decision.
The eight categories represent the eight original weight-class divisions: Strawweights are included in the Flyweight category; Super Middleweight in the Light Heavyweight division. Many fighters fought and won titles at a number of different weights. As far as possible they have been nominated in the division that they made their biggest impact. Fighters have not been nominated on the basis of whether they would beat another fighter in that division, though this is, of course, a consideration. More importantly is their overall record, who they fought at the time, as well as the impact they made on the boxing world, and indeed the world around them. All nominees are listed in the voting section at www.GreatestEver.com.
GREATEST EVER WEEKEND OF EVENTS
Boxing fans attending the festivities will be able to celebrate, up close and personal, the achievements of the World’s Greater Ever Boxers. A three-day boxing spectacular is planned October 2-4 at the Paris Las Vegas, commencing that Friday with an official welcome reception and official weigh in for the following evening’s professional boxing show, presented by Sterling Promotions, and featuring Team USA versus Team Europe, capped by an exclusive after party. The event culminates Sunday with The Greater Ever black-tie awards dinner, featuring some of the greatest boxers ever, as well as world-class entertainment, and then an exclusive after party.
The Retired Boxers Foundation (RBF) is the official charity for The World’s Greatest Ever Boxer. RBF assists retired professional boxers in the transition from their days in the ring to dignified retirement, helping those suffering from alcohol and substance abuse problems, homelessness and effects of pugilistic dementia.
Four ticket packages are on sale for the Oct. 2-4 weekend’s events through agents at the following numbers: North America – The Sports Alliance (914.941.3366) Smart Ticket Solutions (847.917.8497); United Kingdom and Europe – Rock Solid Events (UK: 0845 0945 606, Outside UK: +44 845 0945 606); Australasia – Events Worldwide Travel Group (Australia: 1300 788 666, Outside Australia: +61 3 5989 7666).
The event-only packages are as follows (all prices USD): Super VIP ($2,500), Platinum ($1,900), VIP ($1,400) and Gold ($1,115). The Super VIP, Platinum and VIP packages have a number or premiums in addition to those detailed in the Gold (welcome function, weigh-in, Greatest Ever poker tournament, exclusive Paris Las Vegas gaming area, exclusive memorabilia, movie screenings, access to Greatest Ever dedicated gaming areas and VIP bar, media and legends signings, general seating for the fights and at the awards dinner). Regional agents can provide additional premiums for individual packages.