By Chester Rivers: The idea of Floyd Mayweather Jr vs. Manny Pacquiao is once again saturating the media airwaves. Once again we’re being sucked in by the thought that once and for all the two men will prove in the ring who’s better. Once again we’re putting the cart before the horse because neither man has signed an official contract and the fighters are not in the ring. Why now? After 5 years of waiting why are both fighters so adamant about finally facing one another?
Could it be that both fighters are desperate and this is the only fight that can secure their legacy and finances.
Why is Floyd Mayweather Jr. desperate? Mayweather is seemingly losing his stronghold on boxing. Ali passed the reigns to Leonard. Leonard then passed the reigns to Tyson. Tyson to De La Hoya and De La Hoya to Mayweather. Now it’s time for Mayweather to relinquish to Alvarez but, Mayweather doesn’t want to go quietly.
Alvarez and Golden Boy are lobbying for May 2, Cinco De Mayo weekend, a date normally reserved for a Mayweather bout. Alvarez proposed opponent will be the newly crowned middleweight champ and living legend Miguel Cotto. With the popularity of both fighters and the history of Mexico vs. Puerto Rico this fight would be huge. Mayweather is fully aware that he needs a big name to upstage this bout and force Alvarez to move his date. The only name that is bigger is Manny Pacquiao.
Mayweather exhibited this behavior before. Bradley vs. Marquez was bumped form it’s original date of September 14, 2013 to the month of October because Mayweather wanted the September date for a bout with Alvarez.
Why is Pacquiao desperate? Every fighter that faces Mayweather generally receives their largest payday. Pacquiao is rumored to have major financial problems with the Dept. of Revenue in both the U.S. and Philippines. His numbers are down and his legacy has taken a drastic hit. The hungry aggression that define Pacquiao from 2008- 2012 has now faded with the emergence of a more docile, refined, political Pacquiao. Many are asking where is Pacquiao’s power? Was there something going on? Manny desperately needs this fight to secure both his finances and legacy.
Neither fighter is fighting at the same level they were 5 years ago. So, why now? Is this the best fight that can be made or the most popular? Either way, making this fight now make both fighters seem desperate for each other.
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