By Tom Drury: I write this article for the minority of hardcore boxing fans and Manny Pacquiao enthusiasts who still believe there is unfinished business between him and Floyd Mayweather Jr., and questions still to be answered. The only way to get the answer is by these two fighters meeting within the squared circle.
Firstly this is not going to be an article that analyses the business side of this match up. We all have our opinions about promotional companies and the big wigs behind the scenes. Let me make this clear; no fans including myself have the right or insight to make bold statements about what a Mayweather-Pacquiao match up would make, gate revenue, pay-per-view revenue, fighter’s purses, promotional negotiations or loop-holes that cause difficulty in making this fight. We are not promoters and we are not involved in the business side of this sport, and you and I will never know details of this magnitude, never.
It is widely known I am a huge Mayweather Jr. fan and, yes, I believe he is the greatest boxer of all time without question. That said, I love the sport and respect any fighter who enters the ring. I also like a good toe to toe war. When I write articles based on Mayweather and his opponents, I write facts with a few opinions thrown in based on what I’ve seen with my own eyes, regarding styles, footwork, ability and experience. I told you all at Boxingnews24 that Saul “Canelo” Alvarez would be one of Mayweather’s easiest fights, yet you didn’t believe me and now we have the same fans that had so much hope in the Mexican making comments like “Alvarez was chosen because he was tailor made for Floyd” and so on.
Alvarez didn’t look slow against Austin Trout last April. In fact, I recall Trout saying Alvarez is deceptively quick and quite elusive. Mayweather’s critics are blinded because their sole focus is on his personality and base their opinions on him as a man. I have no problem with that and I’m sure Mayweather won’t either, but don’t act like you understand boxing and give, quite frankly, absurd reasons why Mayweather hasn’t been beat.
Did you all see the look on Richard Schaefer and Bernard Hopkins’ faces while watching Alvarez being taken apart punch by punch by Mayweather? Basketball great Earvin “Magic” Johnson was quoted after the bout, saying “The fight was boring because Mayweather was so good.” I personally love watching Mayweather do his work for every minute of every round, but I am a great admirer of his skills and boxing as an art. I can understand some fans saying Mayweather is boring. The problem is Mayweather is not boring; he is just too good for everyone, and no other fighter can compete or even make it a fight. Boxing is about levels and Mayweather sits on a level all alone.
There are four fights to go on Mayweather’s lucrative Showtime deal and, yes, the name “Manny Pacquiao” seems to getting the fans interest once again as a potential opponent for him. I have paid and enjoyed Pacquiao’s fights and was lucky enough to be in Las Vegas for his sensational knockout victory over Ricky Hatton. That said Pacquiao is a one dimensional and predictable fighter with no special qualities regarding his technical ability. He has nothing to offer in the way of a genuine threat to Mayweather. Pacquiao is a face first fighter, he puts himself in bad positions when throwing punches, and his footwork is based on in/out rhythm and his natural ability is limited.
In 2010, I would have liked to see the fight happen (only because of my ego and knowing how much of a whooping Mayweather would have given him). Never the less, I would have liked to see the fight. Pacquiao not only has endured KO losses early in his career, but has recently been defeated by Timothy Bradley and suffered a concussive KO at the hands of Mexican legend Juan Manuel Marquez (that was always on the cards). Marquez had his number for years. Pacquiao has an upcoming fight with Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios scheduled for November 23rd this year in Macao, China.
I will not be so bold as to say Pacquiao will lose this fight, but I wouldn’t bet my house on him winning. Mayweather Jr. has not just appeared on the boxing scene like many of you think. Neither is it a surprise that he has dominated with his God given talent for 17 years. Boxing runs through Mayweather’s veins. He has an amateur record of 84-6, and has won three Golden gloves titles. He has a bronze medal in the 96 Atlanta Olympic Games. From early in his career the praise landed on this young fighter was unbelievable.
Not to forget Mayweather was the number 2 pound for pound fighter on the planet at the tender age of 22 behind the legendary Roy Jones Jr. Mayweather has faced every style, boxer/punchers, boxer/brawlers, boxers and just out and out fighters. If by some miracle the Pacquiao fight goes ahead in the next 20 months, I will gladly receive your praise on how yet again I was right. I say again, the only time Mayweather Jr. will be defeated or in a competitive fight is when a fighter comes along that can do what he does only better. That day will not arrive before Mayweather cashes out and might never happen again in the boxing world. He will stay undefeated and retire as the greatest fighter of all time. Pacquiao-Mayweather might break viewing records, but once again I assure you Mayweather will make easy work of the Filipino.
Comments are closed.