'Manny fought who his promoter wanted and Floyd fought guys that were lucrative': Bernard Hopkins insists Pacquaio will leave a better boxing legacy than Mayweather
- Floyd Mayweather is the wealthiest boxer in history and retired undefeated
- He has occasionally been criticised for cherry picking his opponents in career
- Bernard Hopkins contrasted 'Money Man' with Manny Pacquiao's approach
- He added: 'Pacquiao did something beyond boxing. Floyd only did boxing'
Manny Pacquiao has a stronger legacy to leave than Floyd Mayweather, according to boxing legend Bernard Hopkins.
The 55-year-old was reflecting on the careers of both men, with Mayweather retiring undefeated and his old Filipino rival still going at the age of 41.
Hopkins believes that 'Money Man' lived up to his moniker in chasing the fights to make him the most cash whereas Pacquiao simply took on anyone put before him.
Bernard Hopkins thinks that Manny Pacquiao will leave a better legacy than Floyd Mayweather
Mayweather beat Pacquiao by unanimous decision in an underwhelming fight in 2015
'I don't think Floyd gave two you-know-whats about how people feel whether he fought the best guys or not. It was strictly business for Floyd,' he told Ring magazine.
'Manny fought who his promoter wanted him to fight and Floyd fought the guys that were financially lucrative.'
Hopkins went on to clarify that he was not criticising Mayweather and understands that his compatriot was ensuring the financial security of himself and his family for generations to come. Mayweather pursued the fights that would make him the most money, says Hopkins
He added: 'Mayweather is still a Hall of Famer; to me, it makes him great and smart at the business.
'When boxing is over, we have to start looking at our bank accounts and our children. A lot of boxers had big fights throughout their career but didn't get compensated the best way they could and should have, but they have Hall of Fame recognition.'
Mayweather of course defeated Pacquiao by unanimous decision in an underwhelming contest billed as 'Fight of the Century' back in 2015.
But Pacquiao remains in an elite class of fighters despite his age having defeated Keith Thurman last year.
Pacquiao is going strong and overcame Keith Thurman in a welterweight title bout last year
Hopkins joins lightweight star Ryan Garcia in comparing the Filipino favourably with Mayweather.
Last month he said: 'He was a legend, the real legend. Floyd [Mayweather] was a legend of course in boxing but he had a chance to inspire kids but he did it in a different way, I guess with the money and everything.
'But I'm looking to do stuff beyond boxing. Manny Pacquiao did something beyond boxing. Floyd only did boxing. So I feel Manny Pacquiao needs to pass that torch to me.' 
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