By Chester Rivers: What is the easiest way to keep your name in the news without accomplishing anything of any real significance? Give up? Just attach your name to someone who is actually relevant. Since bursting onto the seen in 2008, Manny Pacquiao and Bob Arum have been attaching themselves to the name Floyd Mayweather Jr. Are these two [Pacquiao and Arum] really serious about wanting to fight Mayweather or just keeping Pacquiao’s name relevant? The following are 5 reasons that may suggest that Pacquiao and Arum may not want the fight after all.
1) Pacquiao’s affiliation with Top Rank. It has always been the stance of Floyd Mayweather Jr to not do business with any fighter signed with Top Rank because of tensions between himself and CEO Bob Arum. If Pacquiao really want to fight Mayweather, why did he renew his contract with Top Rank earlier this year. This move seem to suggest that Pacquiao really isn’t interested in fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr.
2) The timing of Pacquiao’s challenges to Mayweather. Why does Pacquiao always mention Mayweather’s name in interviews for fights with other challengers? Is Pacquiao simply trying to drum up publicity for his fights against lesser competition?
3) The choice of Pacquiao’s opponents. Pacquiao burst onto the seen in 2008 as a replacement of Floyd Mayweather Jr with a knock out victory of Oscar De La Hoya. Pacquiao continued to follow in Mayweather footsteps by defeating former Mayweather opponents Ricky Hatton and Shane Moseley. Pacquiao defeated these men in a more dominant fashion than Mayweather which made the interest in the fight grow more intensely. Since his knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao’s choice of opponents have been somewhat protected. Pacquiao has faced 3 opponents (Rios, Bradley and Algieri) who have a combined 84 victories with only 42 knockouts. Meanwhile, Mayweather last six opponents (Ortiz, Cotto, Guerrero, Alvarez and Maidana twice) have a combined 199 victories with 165 knockouts.
4) Advice he received from common opponents and trainers. Before his fight with Juan Marquez both men appear on ESPN’s First Take. The question was asked of Marquez who he think will win between Pacquiao and Mayweather and without hesitation he responded Mayweather with Pacquiao sitting at the same interview. De la Hoya, Moseley and Cotto have all given Mayweather the nod in past interviews based on his ability to box and adapt. Trainers such as Nasim Richardson, Nacho Beristan and Teddy Atlas has all given Mayweather the edge. Could it be that Pacquiao may have taken heed to their advice?
5) The court of public opinion. As it stands most think Mayweather is to blame for the fight never taking place. Is it true? Who knows! Pacquiao is the victor in the court of public opinion without risking a loss. Although Mayweather may dominate revenue in boxing, Pacquiao is more commercially appealing. When was the last time you seen Mayweather as the pitch man for an advertisement? Never! Meanwhile, Pacquiao has advertised alcohol, food and now shoes.
Is Mayweather afraid to fight? Possibly! Is Pacquiao happy with his position in boxing without risking another loss? Most definitely!
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