By Yannis Mihanos: In the film industry and especially in Hollywood a sequel is always welcome if the sales are good and the story is pretty solid and inspiring.
In boxing this is common too. Fighters give in to rematches in order to settle their differences for a second time or even more: sometimes they might fight 3 or even 4 times like the unforgettable epic series of Arturo Gatti vs. Mickey Ward or more recently the one of Manny Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez.
Last May, we witnessed a fight described by the public as “The Fight of the Century” between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada. While the PPVs were outstanding, the outcome of the main event was pretty disappointing in terms of entertainment.
The Mayweather fans were just happy watching their favorite fighter cruising, and winning comfortably on points, but still many of them would have preferred for Mayweather to have ended the fight with a knockout.
The Pacquiao fans on the other hand were bitterly disappointed by the performance of their favorite fighter, and explanation after the fight. Pacquiao tried to minimize Mayweather’s victory, claiming he had fought injured.
So in many ways fans from both sides didn’t get what they expected.
Now with just one fight left in his contract with Showtime, Mayweather (48-0) can pick and fight anyone he wants for next September, and leave the sport unbeaten with 49-0 and who could blame him?
Mayweather has won almost everything in the sport of boxing he is the undisputed king.
Mayweather has already said that he has little desire left about fighting. Obviously fighting Pacquiao in September is out of the question since the people’s champ is now recovering from shoulder operation that will take minimum 6 months to fully recover, and add to this getting back in fighting condition I will say in total about 10 months.
So either Mayweather decides to wait for one more year until the next Cinco de Mayo (Mayweather’s favorite date) or he ends his career in September with somebody else.
From a marketing’s point of view the TV channels and sponsors involved would wish for a rematch.
Pacquiao vs Mayweather 2 is a guaranteed commercial success, a sure fire hit.
We all know how much audience Mayweather can attract add to this that Pacquiao is second to none in popularity overseas.
Although Pacquiao disappointed the boxing world with his lackluster performance, he can still attract massive audiences and not only: he owes something back to himself and mostly to his dear fans.
Of course is not entirely up to him now, circumstances have changed and are now against him. His back is against the wall now.
And the question that I would make is this: Does Pacquiao deserve a second chance? Or even better: Should Mayweather give him a rematch?
From a fan’s sentimental point of view I believe that yes he deserves another chance. Pacquiao has earned it with his career.
Pacquiao was expected to be a step above all previous 47 opponents of Mayweather.
At least if he has to lose again to give something back : a solid performance, a reminder of who he once was with no excuses included.
Mayweather’s high boxing alertness is second to none in boxing and I think will not be seen and matched for a long time after his retirement.
It is definitely up to him to decide who to fight next but I am optimistic that it will be again Pacquiao. If not, no heart feelings whatsoever.
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