Is it a good business decision for Mayweather not to fight Pacquiao?

By Michael Vena - 05/13/2014 - Comments

mayweather6By Yannis Mihanos: Even though the fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao would be the richest purse in boxing history it seems that something stops it from ever happening. Many boxing fans are blaming Mayweather for the fight not happening due to the conditions he’s set up for a fight to take place between the two stars.

The talk about a potential fight has been going on for at least 5 years. Throughout this time period, each fighter has gone through many struggles and pains in and out of the ring but both fighters still remain at the top hierarchy at No.1 and No.2 in the pound-for-pound category.

Pacquiao has certainly received the people’s full support in and out of the ring. It is not a coincidence that people recognize him everywhere he goes and greet him as champion.

In recent television appearance, Pacquiao made it clear that he is waiting on a call from Mayweather every day and night and is ready to fight him at any time or any day. Pacquiao has also tried to make some fun of it by bringing with him on the studio a fake telephone.

Floyd on the other hand quite often makes sarcastic comments about Pac through Twitter and other places.

It is clear to me that if one man is calling the shots for this fight to happen that is Floyd. He has the upper hand in any negotiations to take place. Pac is still bonded by a contract with promoter Bob Arum and might extend it for a couple more years with his Top Rank Promotions Company. That’s a move that will likely get in the way of Pacquiao ever getting a fight against Mayweather, and it’s definitely not a good move. That might may not ever happen if Pacquiao re-signs with Top Rank.
Arum and Mayweather are not the best friends, but when money talks, friendships or animosities can step aside for a little while.

So how intelligent is Floyd’s decision not to pursue a fight against Manny? How’s that effecting his wallet? Or is it just business as usual?

Floyd is undoubtedly the richest man in boxing. By doing double job as a fighter and promoter, he has further catapulted himself in the money currency of the world.

Today Mayweather is the only one who can make triple million figures with just one fight. If he remains in boxing for 4 or 5 more matches, he might reach the status of the billionaire. That’s definitely an extraordinary fit for any sports man.

His nickname Money; is not a coincidence after all. But there seems to be a flaw in his business plan or management, a weakness: the reluctance of taking the Pacquiao fight.

No other fight can receive as much attention and produce as much money as this one. It’s a fight that he might double his usual salary. It is an obvious good business decision, and to be more accurate it’s the best decision he could make. Whoever else will be involved (organizers, promoters, sponsors) will also be benefited and let’s not forget the Manpower: the boxing’s fans from around the world.

So it seems to me that Mayweather is not all about money after all. He certainly doesn’t seem to be crazy to me.

In my view, Mayweather’s boxing record of 46-0 means a lot to him, even more than earning the biggest purse of his career. It would be an unprecedented blow for his self-esteem and ego, especially if this record breaks from the man who hates and fears the most.

It makes perfect sense for Mayweather to fight Pacquiao, so why is he not giving him a chance?

Someone else might debate and say that the same motive can be for the exact opposite reason:
If Mayweather can fight Pacquiao and beat him, this will be the biggest way for Mayweather to show boxing fans that he’s the best fighter in the world. But there is always the risk of getting beaten and that I think Floyd knows all too well.

Of course, I disagree with that thinking. Any fighter can lose, any champion can lose at least once. No one will blame him for losing from another great champion like Pacquiao. Let’s not forget that Pacquiao has lost already 3 times but he is still standing.

So who’s next for Floyd? A fight against Marcos Maidana for second time? Possibly. How about Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Shawn Porter or Amir Khan? Maybe.

Pacquiao? No way. It ain’t gonna happen. Not now, and probably not in this lifetime. Not unless Floyd changes his mind.



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