By Rasheed Catapang: The Pacman’s run of havoc left a lot of fallen elite fighters in its wake. He’s gunning for another fight which is turning out to be the final battle of good versus evil. But before that, we need to clear some bad blood.
The Golden Boy must still have nightmares of the bloody eight rounds of being in the Pacmonster’s opposite corner. It’s frustrating to him not being able to hit back both in the dream and in real life – especially now that he’s retired. I reckon an opportunity presented itself in Mayweather-Pacquiao to somehow rectify that but the solution was found wanting.
It doesn’t help either that the Mayweather hands he got at the moment is a bit hesitant to pull the trigger. It’s not just that the Pacmonster surely will hit back, but it’s because the Pacmonster will hit much harder. Now there’s the rub.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. may give the air of nonchalance but he does care. He cares about his perfect record no matter how much he insists that “legacy doesn’t pay bills.” Therefore – it’s me just thinking out loud now – it’s better to run away and fight another day.
Throwing mud hoping some would stick is still fair game – if it’s claimed as a ploy or subterfuge. The same old rule applies: “All is fair in love and war.” And that’s currently where we’re at.
If perception is reality, the truth therefore is compromised. It’s never more so than in the Mayweather-Pacquiao’s boxing superbowl. Oscar dela Hoya won’t tell us the truth about his last bloody 8 rounds but quite frankly who would when all of us are just as proud. Factor in that he’s also a promoter and things will surely be not what they seem. That said, Oscar Dela Hoya is compromised. “He’ll tell you what he wants to hear and disregards the rest… Hu-Hu-Hmmm.”
And what did Dela Hoya tell us? “He never hits hard. He never felt Pacquiao’s punches.”
Again, what did Dela Hoya tell us? “Those Mosley punches, those Vargas punches, and those Pacquiao punches all felt the same.”
“Lie-la-Lie….”
Dela Hoya then wisely would deny such nonsense. And Brutus is an honorable man.
But then again, so is P.T. Burnum. And, so is Floyd Mayweather Sr.
It’s clear on his mind what Pacquiao is and ain’t on. He’s got the verses for his reasoning. How can we fault him for his passion when his sincerity –showing through his verses – is beyond reproach? Yes, sincere. All bad poetry is sincere according to Oscar Wilde.
Pacquiao’s run is just not possible. Never mind that Floyd Junior, a 5 division World Champion, has had similar success to Pacquiao. In Floyd Senior’s mind, what Pacquiao is doing is “Incredible Hulk” stuff. “It is what it is,” so the old man says.
Floyd Jr., the self-acclaimed Greatest Ever, says Amen (in the name of the father which is also his own).
Now some would say its gamesmanship but what’s really on Floyd Junior’s mind? Is it as clear and simple as Floyd Jr. knowing this is one fight he could not win? Or is it just Floyd giving Pacquiao a bitter pill to swallow and Arum a dose of his own medicine. The irony is Mayweather could always counter – which is his wont – using the words of the Master.
“Yesterday I was lying but today I’m telling the truth.”
Through it all Armageddon’s still just around the corner. Though Pacquiao sued, the fight might still happen.
Or maybe not.
Just as well, Mayweather Jr. remains undefeated and Pacquiao the P4P King. Dela Hoya’s predicament will linger a while longer. And Floyd Sr. could always say what’s on his mind (and the boxing fans at wits end trying to decipher).
Regardless, boxing lives forever.
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