By Gavin “Neds” O’Connor: It’s the fight that will define a generation a fight that will trump all previous pay-per-view numbers and smash The highest of past purses, a fight that delivers a boxing identity and sense of attachment in a boxing sense to fans of an age unaccustomed to the experience of a truly global fight a boxing spectacle the mega -fight, but at what cost for this generation?
For the younger boxing fans out there the mega-fight is an alien concept only witnessed 2nd hand on Youtube and other media outlets in the form of past bouts steeped in boxing folklore.
So in fact the May 2nd fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is the first true mega-fight this generation can lay claims to and witness first hand (maybe with the exception of Oscar De la Hoya v Floyd Mayweather), a fight to claim as a true boxing product of their generation, their fight their boxing memory to recount to the next generation. With just over two weeks to go to fight night their moment is nearly here. If the fight is competitive resulting in a close decision a rematch could and would be a realistic bonus (this is the best case scenario).
A one sided fight that doesn’t live up the hype an unremarkable fight would leave little need for a rematch, and would pose the question when and who next can step out of the shadows of Pacquiao and Mayweather and make the next mega-fights, but It may be a long weight. Unlike other generations, the truth is there isn’t one credible replacement let alone two. Every decade era and generation has had their big fights the hyped fights of their day.
50s Rocky Marciano v Joe Walcott, 60s Sonny Liston v Floyd Patterson, 70s Muhammad Ali v Joe Frazier, 80s Sugar Ray Leonard v Roberto Duran, 90s Evander Holyfield v Mike Tyson, 00s Oscar De La Hoya v Floyd Mayweather and Pacquiao. But the big difference today as was evident in past eras was the all-time greats waiting in the wings or the already established greats the likes of Thomas Hearns, Hagler and George Foreman to look to for the next big fight.
Unfortunately the big names and the potential of a future mega-fight are not as evident as in past era’s. Boxing is bigger than any one fighter or mega-fight and always will be, but the question is, has this generation invested too much time and effort in just one fight one result one mega-fight without another one to look forward too, and at what cost.
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