Mayweather beats Pacquiao in pound-for-pound ratings

MANILA (Updated 1:20 p.m.) -- Manny Pacquiao escaped with a majority decision win against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez on Sunday (Philippine time) but that "controversial" victory cost the Filipino ring icon his pound-for-pound ranking.

Pacquiao is still in the top spot of the Ring Magazine's ranking, but came second to undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. in the ratings of sports websites ESPN and Sports Illustrated (SI).

Mayweather, who is the current World Boxing Council's welterweight champion, is ranked number one in both rankings.

"Even after 16 months out of the ring following his near shutout of Shane Mosley in 2010. Mayweather returned to action on September 17 and showed not the slightest bit of rust," ESPN's Dan Rafael said of the 34-year-old Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs).

Rafael said Mayweather is "still fast and possessing great defense and underrated power."

He credited the American boxer for knocking out Victor Ortiz in the fourth round to reclaim one of the titles he had previously given up.

Meanwhile, Rafael said Pacquiao, who was a massive favorite to beat Marquez during their third face-off on Sunday (Philippine time), "looked as vulnerable as he has in a long time."

Earlier, Ring Magazine decided to retain Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KOs).

"In the end, though, we decided to leave the pound-for-pound rankings as is for one simple reason: All but one member of the Ratings Advisory Panel who provided input and the entire Ring Editorial Board believed it was the right thing to do," said Ring Magazine's Michael Rosenthal.

Ring Magazine was considering placing number two ranked Floyd Mayweather Jr. above Pacquiao after the latter's disappointing performance or to leave the number one spot blank and let Pacquiao and Mayweather duke out for the pound-for-pound title.

"All that said, we also feel we should add something here: Pacquiao survives as The Rings's No. 1 fighter by a hair. Should he stumble again or Mayweather turn in an outstanding performance, a new king probably would be crowned,” he added. (Ariel Catubig/Sunnex)