by Babatis Banda: This is as tiring, as much as it is annoying. The boxing fans have traded words for years now over their boxing heroes.
Writers and commentators have given their analyses and thoughts, but all this is in futility if the two most talked about boxers don’t do their thing in the ring. From what has transpired so far, it can be argued that both of these boxers really do not want any part of each other. We know Manny Pacquiao has blasted a number of boxers in recent years to warrant recognition, irrespective of the arguments that these boxers were old, coming from a loss, or indeed, use of catch weights or great warriors that are in steep descent. Pacquiao is a pure fighter. We also know that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is considered master of the game. He is spectacular and so ring intelligent that he is considered the most gifted boxer of our era, Mayweather is a pure boxer.
Why hasn’t the fight taken place?….Yes, only a random blood test has stood between the fighter and the boxer. I don’t know if it really matters if Mayweather should not have asked for a random blood test (RBT), but what I know is that to an athlete, especially this kind of blood sport, it is not a farfetched thing to ask. What I also know is that, a lot of cheating is happening in sport, and if it was hitting a ball with a bat, I guess it would not matter, but if it is boxing, a sport were power and endurance can make the difference, then all loving fans of the sport should encourage openness and fairness. What is surprising is the silence from the regulators of the sport?
A number of different reasons have been advanced for Manny’s refusal to take the RBT, some which should never be entertained at all. However, Mayweather has remained consistent, all he asks for, is a non-complicated RBT which most athletes occasionally take and are willing to take including himself. Pacquiao’s refusal to take the test may let him off the hook for now, but questions will forever be asked. For example, is there a RBT with a cut-off date or are all of his prized wins genuine? This is the case with Antonio Margarito, all of his hard work is in question after the plaster incident.
Recently, Mayweather personally said, and not through a third party, but personally, said that Pacquiao was next after Victor Ortiz. This brought some excitement as it indicated that either, he was willing to bend a little, or Pacquiao has agreed to the RBT. We have since heard a lot of stories still, why Mayweather will not take on Pacquiao, we have heard all kinds of speculation about what Pacquiao will do or not do. Recently, Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s trainer, has almost killed the possibility of it happening by issuing negative statements instead of working to make the big fight happen. I have asked myself this question, if this fight happens, who stands to lose more?
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