By Rasheed Catapang: Floyd Mayweather Sr. had wanted us to believe that there’s something about – and amiss with – Manny Pacquiao. But I believe History and not “his story” will judge the Pacquiao’s remarkable ascent in the Pound-for-pound throne. In that regard, and with the benefit of hindsight, I hope this piece would shed some light.
While Dela Hoya was Pacquiao’s sacrificial lamb in the Altar of Fame, Hatton was really the deciding factor in his pound-for-pound claim. In the Pacquiao-Hatton fight, there was just no over-the-hill and weight-drained excuses as Ricky Hatton was the undisputed Junior Welterweight Champion who’s still in his prime and is undefeated at 140 lbs. So when Pacquiao’s devastating punch rendered Hatton unconscious in less than two rounds, it was both a statement and an affirmation.
It had another far reaching effect though when it struck fear in the heart of Floyd Mayweather Sr.
But had Floyd Sr. been paying more attention to the facts than to his poems, he would have known that the hitman’s defeat was inescapable destiny. Sun Tzu, I mean Roach, really just had Hatton figured out. (Though Floyd Sr. wouldn’t consider that as well since that would mean acknowledging Roach’s doing a much better job).
Consider this: As early as after two weeks from Pacquiao’s second fight with Juan Manuel Marquez, which the records will show, Roach was already salivating over getting a fight with Ricky Hatton. Roach knew he has the perfect weapon in Pacquiao to overwhelmingly destroy the popular Manchurian champion.
See, that was even before the Pacquiao–Diaz fight which marked the beginning of Pacquiao’s rampage in the higher weights. Check also the Pacquiao-Diaz post fight interview where Hatton’s name has already been thrown as an opponent preferred by Roach. That said, Hatton simply didn’t stand a chance.
Of course, when the Pacquiao–Cotto fight came to fruition, Pacquiao was already a different beast altogether. He simply will have his way and will not be denied. He has by then the calm demeanor of an assassin, so confident in his well-honed skills. If there’s a transition from a great fighter to an All Time Great, Pacquiao transcended that in the Cotto fight.
After that, Floyd Mayweather Sr. then said that he won’t let his son fight Pacquiao if it were up to him. Through all his garble, that’s perfectly understandable as no father would send his son on a road to perdition. Still, the sin of the father shall be visited upon his son.
For Floyd Mayweather Jr, pound-for-pound Glory is a long way back home. And though everyone gets to reach somewhere by taking one step at a time, Mayweather could have made a big leap had he taken the Pacquiao fight. He won’t be accused of cherry picking anymore and he could regain his rightful place as P4P King – a position he claimed was always his.
Not anymore.
In spite of his great skills set and vast boxing arsenal, Floyd Mayweather Jr. chose to engage with words. He injected some “bad blood” in the equation. And now the super fight is dead.
His “whoop his punk ass” statement is another broken promise, easier said than done. Delivered when the fight negotiations failed, it’s not a threat but a cushion to break his fall.
The sin was passed on from father to son. And in the end, it came back to haunt us all. The truth is out there now, Floyd Mayweather Jr. like his father before him is truly afraid of Manny Pacquiao. And he has every right to be.
Mayweather and Pacquiao might just be the “yin and yang”- equal powers on opposite sides of the spectrum. But Roach affects that balance of power and sways it in Pacquiao’s favor. The scariest thing then for Floyd Jr. is not just being in the other corner with the Pacmonster. Rather, it is that Roach had him figured out. That makes his fear very real!
I just hope Mayweather proves me wrong by taking on Pacquiao inside the ring where it matters.
Comments are closed.