Steward: Egos getting in the way of Mayweather – Pacquiao fight

By Boxing News - 04/04/2012 - Comments

Image: Steward: Egos getting in the way of Mayweather – Pacquiao fightBy John F. McKenna (McJack): Legendary trainer Emanuel Steward took off the gloves in a recent interview with BBC Sport to criticize undefeated superstar WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KO’s) and Filipino icon World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s). Steward who trains heavyweight champion Wladimir Klitschko and trained undisputed heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis before his retirement, was critical of both Mayweather and Pacquiao for the non happening of the “Mega Fight”.

Steward is of the opinion that the huge egos of “Money” Mayweather and “Pacman” have played a big a big part and have gotten in the way of staging what would be the biggest Pay Per View (PPV) fight in boxing history. It is interesting to note that Emanuel placed the blame equally on both Mayweather and Pacquiao.

Steward also said that the unending saga of will they or won’t they fight, referring to Mayweather and Pacquiao, is having a long lasting and damaging effect on boxing.

Steward was quoted by BBC Sport saying the following:

“Boxing’s not in good shape. It’s more of a business now and its hurting boxing. We need to return to an era where the best fight the best and it wasn’t all about money and egos.

“There is only one fight the public is interested in – two little fellas, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, who likely will never fight.

“The money is there (for Mayweather – Pacquiao), the two guys could make a minimum of $50 million a piece, and the fight still can’t be made because of egos. Times have changed and it really frustrates me because I remember how easy it was for me to make the fight between Ray (Leonard and Tommy Hearns who Steward trained).”

There have been several attempts to put together the Mayweather – Pacquiao fight, with each attempt ending in failure. Meanwhile the boxing fans for both fighters line up behind their idols. The fans of both fighters are equally adamant that the fault does not lie with their favorite fighter. The reality is however that there is enough blame to go around and that the blame lies with both Mayweather and Pacquiao.

More than likely Pacquiao will retire and begin a 2nd career in politics. Mayweather on the other hand at 35 can continue to fight the Victor Ortiz’ and the Miguel Cotto’s of the world for another couple of years until he retires with his “0” intact.



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