By Klaas Mabetlela: Boxing has not been experiencing the greatest times in the past few years and at the moment we basically have to contend with one universal boxing star in Manny Pacquiao.

Like some, I am concerned with team Pacquiao’s choice of opponents in the last few years, but it is not entirely fair to blame Pacquiao alone because he does what he has to do under the circumstances boxing finds itself in. Team Pacquiao is maximizing opportunities presented to it by the state of affairs. There is just no competition for the biggest fights out there. There are no other superstars in his division or other divisions for that matter to compete for the pay-per view revenues at highest level.

Pacquiao’s status as an all-time great is secured and sealed. His team feels that they have to fight the names that can maximize the dollars whilst offering the least risk. It is something they have been open and transparent about and is called business and they are doing a great job of it at the moment. They are able to get away with it because frankly, there is nothing in boxing at the moment. The most marketable opponents are has-beens who were great some years ago like Sugar Shane Mosley. They are not the best opponents for Manny but they provide the biggest dollar and money makes the world go around.

Secondly, Team Pacquiao is taking the advantage of the fans who may think that Manny deserves easy rides when waiting for his mega-fight with Floyd Mayweather. The fans are prepared to pay the highest dollar irrespective of the opponent because all these fights are preludes to the real thing in their mind. The situation with Mayweather is actually very lucrative to Pacquiao and they say good things come to those who wait.