By Mark Calooke: Boxing is always looked upon as being defined by era’s. When people look back on this era they will say it has been dominated by Floyd Mayweather with his unbeaten record, and Manny Pacquiao the fighter of the decade. It’s likely they will also mention the failure in them fighting each other. Mayweather has become ever good at thinking up reasons and passing the blame. But whenever he does the blame is swiftly passed back.

First Mayweather stated that he wanted drugs tests, to which Pacquiao refused. Eventually Pacquiao said he will take any test. Then Mayweather blamed money, Pacquiao soon made a number of generous offers. Once that hurdle was out of the way Mayweather claimed he wouldn’t fight a man that was suing him. Pacquiao dropped the case and settled out of court. Now Mayweather seems to have disappeared. I’m sure Mayweather will soon come back into the public view with a new reason.

Mayweather fans give many reasons why their man is the true pound 4 pound champion. They call Pacquiao the catch weight king. The problem with that is this, Mayweather isn’t against catch weights either. Mayweather vs Marquez was at set at 142 lbs. Only Mayweather didn’t stick to it and was fined. Pacquiao has only had 3 catch weights and stuck to them all.

Mayweather fans say Pacquiao fight Floyd’s left over’s, whilst casually ignoring that Mayweather fought a close fight against Cotto, a man Pacquiao destroyed in his prime. Pacquiao also faced Marquez way before Mayweather did.

Let’s look at their common opponents. De La Hoya- Mayweather wins split decision. De La Hoya- Pacquiao makes him quit on his stool in round 8. Hatton- Mayweather knocks him out in round 10. Hatton- Pacquiao knocks him out in round 2. Marquez- Mayweather wins decision. Marquez- Pacquiao wins two decisions and scores a draw. Cotto- Mayweather is tested and wins decision. Cotto- Pacquiao destroys him in 12. Mosley- Mayweather wins decision but is hurt. Mosley- Pacquiao wins comfortable decision. 4-1 to Pacquiao I would say.

I don’t blame Mayweather for avoiding Pacquiao. The fighter of the decade has been described has have phenomenal power. Mayweather’s famous defense was developed due to his chin. Its known to be his weakness and he has been hurt by opponents of suspicious ability. If Mosley can hurt Mayweather Pacquiao’s power must be frightening. Mayweather’s main boasting point is his unbeaten record. There isn’t a single boxing expert out there that seems Mayweather as unbeaten. Everyone knows Castillo beat Mayweather. Most experts felt De La Hoya also won. Pacquiao fans say Mayweather ‘cherry picks’. That’s not completely true as he has beaten top fighters. But he has built his record around beating old legends or boxers who don’t have the experience to beat him. essentially he gets them past their prime or just before their prime.