By John F. McKenna (McJack): World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KO’s) and newly crowned World Boxing Council (WBC) welterweight titlist Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KO’s) continue to play their nonsensical mind games with each other.
Pacquiao will be facing WBA/WBO lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas on November 12, while Mayweather is fresh off of his controversial KO win over former champion Victor Ortiz last Saturday night.
Both Pacquiao and Mayweather are in a media war in their attempts to psych each other out and outdo one another regarding any possible match up between the two. Manny let it be known a couple of weeks ago that his legacy was secure and he really does not need Floyd Mayweather Jr. After all the argument goes, Pacquiao has won championship belts in eight weight divisions in addition to his fighter of the year and fighter of the decade awards. On top of that Manny is considered by most to be the best Pound for Pound fighter in the world. Pacquiao and his multitude of supporters reason that Manny has accomplished more than he had ever hoped to when he embarked on his boxing career and therefore does not need Floyd Mayweather Jr. to secure his legacy.
Not to be outdone Mayweather fired back his own salvo immediately after his KO of the badly overmatched Victor Ortiz. Floyd went into another of his rants in attempting to explain why he does not need to fight Manny Pacquiao. “Money” wound up going on the attack against Pacquiao and as is normally the case when talking to the media about Manny implied that he uses or has used performance enhancing drugs (PEDS). The Mayweather logic is that Manny could not have gone from 108 pounds early in his career to where he fights now at 144 pounds. Mayweather strongly implies that without PEDS Pacquiao could not have won titles in eight weight divisions and beat fighters who are typically taller and bigger than he is.
Essentially whether he realized it or not, Floyd spent ten minutes making excuses as to why he will not fight Manny Pacquiao. The mind games that go on between Pacquiao and Mayweather almost appear to be scripted. The script from both camps borders on the ridiculous. Both Pacquiao and Mayweather routinely make comments to the press stating that they do not need each other, apparently in an effort to smoke out the other side.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum has even become involved. Recently Arum said that the Pacquiao camp would not chase after Mayweather, after which the boxing world waited for the other shoe to drop when Floyd fired back with his own salvo. Stay tuned, the game being played by the Pacquiao and Mayweather camps is called “Mind Games 101”.
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