By Yannis Mihanos: For the last 5 years there is a debate going on about why Floyd Mayweather Jr , the number 1 pound for pound in boxing, and Manny Pacquiao aren’t facing each other in the ring. Pacquiao, the eight division world champion, says he wants the fight, but Mayweather is constantly setting up new conditions that Pacquiao needs to meet before the two of them can face each other.
Who really needs who between Mayweather and Pacquiao? That’s a tough question to ask. Mayweather, 37, claims he needs no one to prove that he is the best, and that his record speak for themselves. As such, he prefers to focus on his present opponent Marcos Maidana rather than looking ahead to a potential mega-fight against Pacquiao.
With 3 more fights left in his contract, it will be difficult someone to convince Mayweather to fight Pacquiao.
I honestly believe Mayweather will never agree to face Pacquiao. For Mayweather, there will always be some legitimate opponents that he can face instead of him, such as Danny Garcia or Keith Thurman, and this will give Mayweather any excuse he needs for not taking the fight against the Filipino star.
Mayweather and Pacquiao are both in their last preparation stage for their fights against Marcos Maidana and Tim Bradley respectively. Their opponents are both formidable fighters but not unbeatable.
Without a doubt, Pacquiao & Mayweather Jr are the two hottest names in boxing since the time of Lennox Lewis and Mike Tyson. Anytime Pacquiao or Mayweather gets into an interview the question immediately is asked: When will they face each other? The reporters want to know, as do boxing fans.
Pacquiao, on the other hand, claims that Mayweather is avoiding him, and is afraid of facing him in the ring for whatever reason. But with Pacquiao recently having lost two out of his last three fights, it’s difficult for him to concentrate on fighting Mayweather for obvious reasons.
Pacquiao has some important fights ahead of him starting with his April 12th rematch against WBO welterweight champion Tim Bradley, and then possibly against the May 10th winner of the Juan Manuel Marquez vs. Ruslan Provodnikov bout next September.
Basically Mayweather and Pacquiao are both in good hands in terms of financial status and fame. The big question is who needs who? This is something not only for them to decide. I think the public needs them both, and boxing needs them also.
It doesn’t matter if one is presented as villain and the other as hero. Boxing needs them both. I think it would be great if one day near future we see them in the ring fighting with each other. I think at this moment people want to know who the best is. That I think is the most basic need and demand.
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