By Robert “Big Moe” Elmore: Let me get this out the way first. I’m a Floyd Mayweather Jr fan. Now let me continue. Freddie Roach, most of the general public and a legion of Manny Pacquiao fans believe that Mayweather’s legacy will be tarnished if he does not fight Pacquiao.
the same has not really been said about Pacquiao except by those who choose to be very open minded about Pacquiao’s fighter options. But this is what happens when a fighter like Mayweather is on top of the boxing world like he is; when he is the A-side like is; when in a year when there were many pay per view bouts and numbers were down that his two fights with Marcos Maidana were the best in 2014.
I think that’s what really bothers a lot of fans. Anybody in the world could be the A-side but Mayweather. A whooper with cheese with no onions could be the A-side and fans would accept that. Fact is, BOTH fighters are future hall of famers. The only thing that would keep them from getting such an honor is personal vendettas by whoever makes the decision to let the fighters in.
But here is another fact. BOTH fighters need this match. I always say fights happen when they are supposed to. In my eyes, had this bout taken place back in 2009 or 10, it would not be as big as it now. Financially or publically. The fight would break and set records across the board.
If Arum (I say Arum because he calls the shots) decides to walk away, Pacquiao could not fight Jessie Vargas, Mickey Garcia, Tim Bradley again, or Terrance Crawford without his numbers suffering. Those fights do between 400-500k. The only way Pacquiao could get by is because Manny is perceived as the squeaky clean good guy. That’s about it. Floyd could not fight Amir Khan or current IBF champ Kell Brook without his numbers suffering. Those fights might do 800-900k tops. As much as people want this equation to be one sided against Floyd or Pacquiao, it won’t work. And for those who are complaining about this fight, which has been four years in the making, not happening, here’s some interesting facts about our favorite all time fighters.
Marvin Hagler originally was set to face Thomas Hearns in 1982, but Hearns injured his pinky finger (I forget which hand). That fight didn’t take place until 1985. Am I to believe that Hearns pinky was injured for three years? It took five years for Hagler/ Ray Leonard to happen. Leonard retired in 1982 and came back in 84. Why didn’t he go after Hagler then? The fight finally happened in 1987. And it took seven and half years for Leonard to give Hearns a rematch with their first bout taking in 1981. The rematch took place in 1989. So what’s four years when talking about Floyd and Pacquiao?
Here are some more interesting facts. Hagler NOR Leonard were in their primes when they fought. Hearns NOR Leonard were in their primes at the time of their rematch. Floyd NOR Pac are in their primes and they BOTH need this match. For the sake of room I will discuss the financial rewards for Floyd and Pacquiao should they not face each during the comment section. Let the debate begin.
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