This past Saturday we saw past, current and future greatness on display in the sport of boxing. In what was a busy boxing schedule, it was Manny Pacquiao, Jesse Rodriguez and Oleksandr Usyk who were the headline performers on 'Summer Boxingpalooza 2025' -- and they didn't disappoint.
First it was Usyk, who re-unified the heavyweight titles by blasting out Daniel Dubois in their rematch at Wembley Stadium in Britain. When they first hooked up in 2023, there was a tinge of controversy because of a borderline low blow that Dubois landed on the defending champion that had him taking a self-imposed timeout. This and the recent streak of victories had some pundits believing that the heavy handed Dubois had a real punchers chance this time around.
But from the onset it was Usyk who established his dominance with his deft footwork and sharp, accurate punching. It's clear at this point that Usyk is no longer that guy who is a blown up cruiserweight, he is now a bona-fide heavyweight. The caveat is that he has maintained much of his athleticism, dexterity and ring IQ.
In the age of the power forward-sized heavyweight, Usyk skill and mobility is more than enough to overcome any disparity in size. Usyk has shown that with the modern heavyweights, bigger is not better.
In round five, Usyk scored a knockdown with a counter right hook while in the corner. Then a short time later it was his 'Ivan' (as he named his overhand left) that sent Dubois down again, and eventually counted out.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuHEZUEayJU
We are now at the stage that it is now OK to actually say that Usyk is among the greatest heavyweights of all-time. Personally, I'm willing to state he has a clear case to be among the top 10, but lets pump the brakes on putting him in the pantheon of Muhammad Ali, Joe Louis, George Foreman and Larry Holmes, just yet. But there's now a strong argument that he is the best boxer of this past generation (post-Floyd Mayweather, to be clear)
Ring Magazine
Later that night from the 'the Star' in Frisco, Texas, 'Bam' Rodriguez added another belt to his vast collection of them by breaking down the tough Phumelela Cafu in what was a junior bantamweight unification contest. For much of this contest Cafu had his back to the ropes, and never really opened up offensively. The South African would occasionally find counter-punching opportunities but for the most part found himself covering up from the steady and accurate onslaught that came his way.
It was a well-placed right hook that finally broke the dam in round 10. Cafu staggered and eventually dragged himself and Rodriguez to the canvas. As the action was about to resume, Cafu's corner waved off the fight with about a minute left in the round.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5p-5aGLsGC8
What else can really be said, it was another sterling performance from Rodriguez. The biggest compliment I can pay him is that he reminds me a lot of Hall-of-Famer, Mark 'Too Sharp' Johnson. At age 25, you could state that he's the best ''young'' fighter in the game. He's certainly one of the pound-for-pound best.
And on that note, it's clear that both Usyk and Rodriguez are among the very best in the sport. There are probably a half-dozen or so boxers who have clearly separated themselves from the rest of the pack (and you can figure out who the other guys are), but I'd go even further than that. This pair could have competed in any generation of boxing.
Ring Magazine
I canvassed the opinion of trainers, managers, matchmakers and broadcasters that I respect and the consensus is that they absolutely could. Now, that doesn't mean they would be the best, or go undefeated. But they would give as good as they get against any generation. In an era marked by entitled mediocrity, these guys, as Larry Merchant and 'New Kids on the Block' would say, ''have the right stuff.''
To cap off this night, Manny Pacquiao battled his way to a draw against Mario Barrios. While he didn't win the WBC welterweight title, for 'the Pac Man' it was a moral victory that probably only adds to his legend. After all, he's 46 years old, and he's not just a far cry from the guy that was a supernatural force from 2008 to 2012, but he's not even the same guy he was when he upset Keith Thurman in 2019.
Going into the championship rounds it looked like he was on his way to victory, but again, he's 46, and Pacquiao ran out of steam in the late stages. On my card, he lost rounds 10, 11 and 12, and with that, I had it a draw on my card. But you put a gun to my head, I'd say that Pacquiao deserved the nod, which seems to be the consensus on social media.
German Villasenor
Pacquiao's legacy was secure regardless of Saturday night's results. Meanwhile, Usyk and Rodriguez continue to add to theirs.
