By Nick Hagan: It’s now less than a week away from arguably the most anticipated Boxing event since Muhammad Ali V George Foreman In 1974. Floyd Mayweather Jr. v Manny Pacquiao is six years in the making and my own personal observation is that this makes for a more competitive, closer fight than If It had happened in 2009. This opinion may not be shared by all fans, however it’s very evident that Mayweather based on his recent bouts with Marcos Maidana has lost some footwork speed and is no longer so elusive.
Pacquiao lost to Marquez in 2012 by a brutal knockout, but under the guidance of Freddie Roach, has since substantially Improved his defense in his recent bouts against Timothy Bradley and Chris Algieri. I do agree that Pacquiao has slightly slipped in terms of aggression, but his speed, power, unorthodox style and new found defense are all still very much Intact. For the reasons stated above it has now become a 50:50 fight.
We all know about the brilliance of these two fighters and all their unrivaled achievements in the ring during the past decade; however their Individual personalities and achievements outside the ring could not be further apart. Mayweather is very boastful about his personal wealth, recently posting pictures on his own Facebook Account of his fleet of Top of the Range Sport Cars. He was once filmed throwing 100 dollar bills, boasts about placing serious money on sporting events and even has a $33,000 diamond encrusted mouth guard made for his upcoming fight with Pacquiao. Maywether has a history of domestic violence and even served a 90 day sentence in 2011 for this offense.
In contrast Manny Pacquiao is a model professional and has never forgotten his routes in the Philippines and even personally helping out when the country was tragically struck by Typhoon Sendong In 2011. Pacquiao even gave his own money to help towards building and rejuvenating the areas mostly affected. Since 2010 he has been a congressman in Sarangani and is likely to run for Presidency in the Philippines when eventually retiring from Boxing. He is adored by all the people of the Philippines and a lot of this sentiment is echoed worldwide.
Like all sports, Boxing Is always looking for role models to help secure its future. Unfortunately it already has a tarnished reputation, partly due to greedy promoters and alleged corruption within Judging. However generally speaking, sport is judged on the actual competitors and how they present themselves to the public. In the case of Mayweather and Pacquiao, they are by far currently the two most recognized names within our sport, but surely it goes without saying that Pacquiao is the most respected out of the two, due to his humble professional attitude and charitable work, which has helped to an extent to improve the image of Boxing.
If Boxing is to thrive going forward, it needs to attract more people like Manny Pacquiao. In turn this would help turn the public’s general perception of our sport and appeal to more of the masses.
Whatever happens on May 2nd, Boxing will be the most talked about sport throughout the World. It would great to see Pacquiao win, just to have him as the absolute leading ambassador of our sport.
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