By Babatis Banda: Be it in a fight, the on-going defamation case or the purse split negotiations, Mayweather is firmly in the driver’s seat. Sorry, don’t go into a rage just yet, read my reasoning with an open mind.
The fight , if it ever happens, there are several factors to look at. Mayweather, despite his acknowledged skill set, is slowing down. This is expected due to age. For sure, he is not the agile sharp fighter he once was when he was younger. That acknowledged, Floyd has also adapted well to this. He is more measured in his fighting, his defence has become some-what even better in the circumstances, but he is bound to get hit more often than before because he fights in the inside and on the ropes more than he did before. He is still a sharp shooter.
Pacquiao has also not been spared by age, he no longer uses his legs like he used to, and his power is gone. Pacquiao has not knocked out an opponent in his last few fights and has looked more vulnerable than before. Pacquiao thrived on stamina and power, his defence is as porous as a sponge, his leg muscles cramp like a boa constrictor, his endurance is non-existent and he no longer throws 1,000 punches in a round. All his advantages are a shadow of what they once were, and because of this, he stands no chance against Floyd.
The defamation case. The Pac team handled this one really bad. They should have straight away agreed for RBT and shamed the Mayweathers instead of all the lame, in-excusable excuses that made the tag to stick like glue. It will never go away. Floyd is a big mouth, it is a well-known fact, Floyd likes to get into the minds of his competitors and he did. The Pac team allowed this to happen. There was an accusation, whatever the reasons advanced, Pacquiao refused to prove the Mayweather’s wrong. It was not an issue of ego, it has clearly hurt his ego more now instead. Worse, after the accusation, Manny’s performance has stubbornly slackened, as if to prove something. Even if Floyd is found with a case to answer, he will only pay some ‘little cash’, which I doubt…..but that ‘tag’ will still stink like a skunk.
The purse split. All those people who think that the loss to Bradley, whether justly or unjustly did not have any impact, wait until Floyd comes out in a few hours’ time. You will realize just how the stocks fell on the market for Pacquiao. Bradley is a second tier fighter that should not have been allowed anywhere near to cause confusion, and Pacquiao did.
It is very clear, unless it is just for the usual stubbornness for an argument that Floyd has Pacquiao where he wanted him, at his mercy. Pacquiao has now not a single reason to argue for a 50-50 revenue split. Arum, as intelligent as he may be, understands this situation and he will take the lesser cut, just like Pacquiao promised he would before it became apparent Floyd’s jail term would be delayed.
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