Pacquiao/Mayweather: Pre-Destined?
September 21st, 2009
By Trevor Weis: The King has been challenged. Mayweather ended his 21-month layoff showing no signs of rust or age, dismantling the technical veteran Juan Manuel Marquez in 12 one-sided rounds. The former pound-for-pound king made Marquez look like a sparring partner, rolling his shoulder and dancing away from punches. Money landed close to 50% of total punches, while Marquez was only able to land an embarrassing 12%, with only 21 jabs throughout the 12 round fight.
The fight went exactly as planned, following the blue-print to the letter. There was talk of Mayweather wanting the knockout, but coasting to a comfortable UD over a smaller man defines his style.
After the fight, Marquez drew some comparisons in the P4P debate, stating “They have different styles. Floyd is very clever. He’s a defensive fighter 100 percent. He’s a good counter puncher. [But] Pacquiao is a guy who likes to fight.”
That seems to be the answer to the P4P debate: Mayweather is the best BOXER. But Pacquiao stands alone as the best FIGHTER.
People didn’t love Arturo Gatti because of his slick style or technical gifts: they loved him because he dug down deep, found a hidden reservoir of talent and heart, and came back swinging for the fence. Mayweather will be unable to develop that kind of following until he is stuck in a war that forces him to dig…We all know there’s talent there, waiting. But is there heart?
All roads seem to be leading to Pacquiao/Mayweather. But not if Shane Mosely can throw up a road block. In Kanye West-esq fashion, Mosley interjected into Floyd’s post fight interview with Max Kellerman, taunting the victor a little, saying “this is the fight the fans want to see.” Floyd, complete with entourage and guest WWE star Triple H, did not welcome the interruption.
Shortly after Kellerman tried to calm the peace, he shouted the only name that could silence Floyd: “Manny Pacquiao!” And after Floyd gave his usual “I need to talk with Leonard Ellerbe and Al Haymon” (Floyd’s advisors), Kellerman had to cut the interview short to avoid Sugar Shane and B-Hop from tag-teaming Floyd and Triple H…
What I’ve come to realize is this possible mega-match between two P4P kings is comparable to the Cold War: Floyd and Manny are in an arms-race. Pacquiao beating Cotto will give him 7 titles in 7 weights classes, something no other boxer has accomplished, even with all the ridiculous belts and titles. Pacquiao will also have beaten a top-10 P4P fighter, as well as an undisputed welterweight champion. But Floyd brings his perfect record, his self-proclaimed superstar draw, and now an easy victory over the man that took Pacquiao to the limit. Even with Manny’s blowouts of De La Hoya and Hatton, you know that Marquez will now factor into the monetary debate.
Like the Cold War, this battle of “World Superpowers” may never even come to fruition. The United States and Russia prepared vigorously for a war that seemed inevitable, but ultimately never took place. Thankfully, the world was not forced to witness such a potentially horrific battle of military superpowers. But hopefully, the world WILL be privileged enough to witness such a potentially terrific battle of boxing’s two greatest superstars, something that seems inevitable–pre-destined.
Tags: 32 Responses to “Pacquiao/Mayweather: Pre-Destined?”
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I would like for Mayweather to make a agreement to fight the winner, regardless who wins the Cotto-Pacman fight. Shane Mosely ran from Paul Williams, so he has no room to talk about getting a fight
hey joe zamora… what do you think of pacman… think of you LOL! dont ever under estimate the power of pacman… he’ll bite your mouth out of it…
cotto will tko pacman, no pac vs mayweather fight sorry!
Manhy’s not going to beat Cotto but if he did there’s no way he can compete with Floyd. He mastered a fighter who brought Pacquiao to the brink twice and Manny simply doesn’t have the kind of power to really bother Mayweather. That’s the bottomline. If you want to continue to engage in BS that suggest Manny has “the answer” against Floyd go right ahead but if you’ve ever been in the ring or around professional fighters you would realize that Pacquiao does NOT have the same skill set. Freddie Roach is more aware of that than anyone!
Pac vs Mayweather will not happen.
Seems the whole world thinks Manny’s next fight is a gimme.
After Cotto dismantles Pac Man the boxing world will be pushing for A Cotto-Mayweather fight. You see there are many out there not giving Mayweather much credit for beating down a smaller overmatched Marquez. Mayweather is not stupid. The public’s already calling for Mayweather to fight a legit top welterweight. Once Cotto beats Pac Man there will be no more running away.
It’ll be Cotto v Mayweather & Marquez v Pacquiao III – 2010
Did we forget one thing here?
Pac-man has also blead a whole lot and so have many other true warriors. So what in the world does “Cotto bleeds mean?”
Cotto rocked Zab Judah who was giving Mayweather a very hard time.
Marquez did nothing to Mayweather but yet beat Pac-man,twice!!! As far as I’m concerned.
Cotto has also ROCKED Sugar Shane Mosely!
Where do these fake boxing fans come from that are leaving Cotto out of this “BEST POUND 4 POUND BULL SH**!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”
I can’t stand all this talk about catch weights!
Let Floyd be Floyd.
It was Floyd that Marquez jumped into that ring with. Had nothing to do with his weight.
There is no such thing as; Here’s Floyd when he’s a few pounds less or here’s Floyd a few pounds more!
Floyd will be Floyd and that’s that! He’s not TWO men!
As for my understanding; It was Floyd that Marquez chose to jump into that ring with.
The bottom line is that both, Pac-man and Marquez are being over-rated. They’re fighting with the big boys now and I’m not talking about DeLaHoya and Hatton. Floyd prooved it and so will Cotto.
I did mention this prediction before these two fights and will again after Cotto does the same thing to Pac-man.
It really should have been; Marquez vs Pacquiao III and Cotto vs Mayweather!
Great article! Definitely love to see te Mayweather vs Pacquiao fight to determine the best P4P king. However, Floyd must strictly follow the catchweight, otherwise, he’s not the best p4p boxer if he can’t go down with the desired weight. As what happened with Marquez figth, Mayweather has all the advantages age, reach, height, weight, everyting….
If its Pacquiao against Mayweather, I’ll definitely watch that!
@ main editor:
you must be joking right? pac scared of cotto? why ask arum to make the fight then? cotto has bad defense and has slowed down. cotto will bleed, but i don’t think KO’ed. it will go to a decision, which pac will win. cotto will be chasing pac around and as he’s coming in, he’ll get caught with shots.
pac has to worry about trading with cotto, yes. but he’s a smart boxer who wont trade with the bigger man. just like with DLH, he’ll stay on the outside and wait until cotto tires and move in during the later rounds.
You got some points, mayweather is the best boxer but Cotto is the best, in everything not pacquiao. Pacquiao is afraid of Cotto, he does not want to exchange blows, thats why he choose to fight in a 24 ft. ring. Cotto is bigger, stronger, better boxer and more inteligent than the the crazy and disorganized offense of pacquiao. cotto, will use his jab with him, as he did with mosley. And then the perfect conbination that will end early the night.
I would love to see the fight between “the best boxer” VS “the best fighter”. Money VS Manny.
good writer and very good article.
I think pacman still holds the Pfp king because mayweather failed to comply with the contracted weight over marquez.
Rather see Mosley/Mayweather better fight as Mosley can win it. Pacman does not have a chance.
Floyd is a fraud and a cheater.
Floyd did not give Marquez any respect. He intentionally weighed over the contracted weight and intentionally paid the small penalty and changed the contracted weight. What can Juan do, cancel the fight — Oscar will never allow that and lose millions of dollars. Juan was set up. The penalty should have been one million a lb.
floyd is looking for another small time boxer to be a victim,how about Pac, cotto, mosley,
If he win to this guys he will have more honor to boxing worlds and to himself.
Good article and excellent point (Manny best fighter, Floyd best boxer).
Even this guarantees an entertaining bout with Floyd, I anyhow believe that Pacman is too small and will loose on points. He hopefully wins against the brave Cotto, otherwise Floyd’s efficiency would again be boring to watch against Cotto.
I don’t get it, if Mayweather beats three of the top fighter, then people re going to throw more names in front of him, Floyd is one of the Greatest, Pac Man is good, but is he Great after two fights.
Reflex not a bad shout at all mate, floyd vs cotto/williams at welter and manny vs jmm at lightweight maybe…
Cotto vs Mayweather WW vs WW let pac have his 3rd JMM
Marquez is being nice to Floyd in comparing Pacquiao. What he really meant was that Floyd didn’t hurt him and showed up just to pick up a check and not get hurt. Pacquiao on the other hand goes to a bout and fight with the mindset to finish off his opponent without regard to his safety.
I just thought of something…perfect offense verses perfect defense. In Football and basketball offense puts fans in the seats and defense wins games. I’m a Ninja fan all the way, but makes you wonder what Pacman would do to win a fight with Mayweather if Money stays in his defense shoulder roll positions.
nicely written article, but once again someone completely overlooks Cotto and counts him out against Pacquiao. In my opinion, Cotto will destroy the Pacman and then what? Will floyd step up and fight the best in Miguel?? no of course not…so in a way you might be right, Mayweather would still end up fighting Pacquiao…but we’ll be back to square one…because neither of the two will have beating the best…but would have fought for the biggest payday..i’m not drinking the kook aid..I want to see the best fight the best…enough of this b.s….
yes good points made. also kellerman and b-hop are a disgrace
As fun as Pacquiao/Mayweather would be the Ninja still has to to get by welterweight champ Cotto. I wanna enjoy that fight first. Side Note: I hope seeing Mayweather’s skills has made Manny realize that he has is equal in Mayweather and he needed to take his boxing career more seriously. The Movies and commercials and especially the politics can wait until after he truly retires.
I think Mayweather/Hatton rematch will happen first with Floyd looking at a money spinning fight before fighting winner of Pacquiao! I kn ow it seems crazy, but watch this space…!
I agree with js. Saying that Oscar was weight drained when he fought manny, we could also say marquez was bloated when he fought floyd. The weight took a toll on him, too slow and with no power.
Very great article. No bias at all.
I think that settles the P4P debate: Manny is the best fighter, and Floyd is the best boxer. Still, officially, Manny holds his title until/pending a loss to Cotto (which I think he can avoid). A loss to Cotto would sour the meeting between Pacquiao and Mayweather, but it wouldn’t defeat it. The fight between these two pits boxing’s best offense against boxing’s best defense.
That is also the main reason why people tend to dislike Mayweather. He coasts. He’s the guy who does only as much as he needs to get by. Granted, he hasn’t lost yet, but it just isn’t entertaining. Manny could have played Team Pac’s perfect game plan a full 12 rounds against Oscar and come out with a unanimous decision that no one questioned. That’s what Mayweather did. But instead he went for the knockout and left with what was, in my mind, the fight of the year. Oscar wasn’t old all by himself; Manny MADE him look old. That fight was the epitome of the perfect game plan and it sent the Golden Boy into retirement.
And that is why so many more people will pay to see Pacquiao fight than Mayweather. Manny is exciting, and he doesn’t just have skill; he has energy and power as well.