By Jermill Pennington: This was a questioned I pondered and still yet to come to a conclusion. Who does a win mean more to? The easy answer of course would be Pacquiao being that in some way for him a win over Mayweather would be the ultimate redemption. Through the peaks and valleys the phoenix, in this case being Pacquiao was able to rise again. The weight he carries on his shoulders is the devotion of an entire country.
This is likely nothing new to Pacquiao at this point however the magnitude and the meaning of beating Mayweather is far more significant than any other fight before. In my estimation Pacquiao the man can accept defeat, what he can’t accept is letting down so many that are so emotionally invested in this fight. I believe that Pacquiao understands that he’s a symbol for a crowd that hasn’t had a known face in the United States.
He represents humility at the highest level where many times we see people lost track of self when they become rich and famous. Pacquiao on the other hand has seemed too stayed grounded which resonates with your working class citizen, thus there is no doubt that he is indeed the peoples champ. All that combined with great redemption a win for Pacquiao would be like a story made in Hollywood. In essence one could say that Pacquiao is fighting for the people. The peoples champ, not a people but all people who represent the underdogs of the world.
For Mayweather his want to win comes from a different place. I understand how admirable you may think Pacquiao’s reasons for winning are, however that doesn’t mean it makes them any more important to the fighters. No, Mayweather isn’t fighting for “the people” by any measure. It could be safe to say that Mayweather is fighting himself which in contrast to Pacquiao just doesn’t seem as admirable. Seeing how that can be seen as swallow and miniscule I would like to remind you that you, to yourself are very important and most times the toughest critic. There has been much discussion about Mayweather psyche in regards to him being insecure in the opinions of some. Whether it be the relationships he has with his stable of women or his decree of being his own boss. I on the other hand have a total different opinion on Mayweather’s mentality.
Mayweather mentality is what you see in the very elite athletes of the world. Kobe Bryant for example, completely obsessive about the game of basketball. Meaning these types eat sleep and drink their professions. Many times these types aren’t well rounded individual, rather a demanding narrow minded type whose vision of their goal can’t be altered by anyone. Many times they don’t have friends or family, as Kobe himself said recently about his ability to a good friend. Tiger Woods and Michael Jordan would also fit the mold. Tiger Woods was at the top of the sports world when he was out frolicking with numerous women. In order to keep his public persona he now tries to play the fatherly role and in return his game has plummeted. A personal observation I can add would be Nonito Donaire. Once the most exciting fighter in the smaller weight classes, then his wife appeared and talks of having children were on the horizon and I knew then he was done for. Family and savagery don’t mix. Having family ties in my estimation takes away from the singular focus that the before mentioned guys have.
So who does a win mean more too? That I don’t know the answer to however I see this more of a situation for fans to have the last word and finally say “I told you so”. Lines have been drawn for years between fans and there will now be the chance for one or the other to say I told you so.
Basketball fans, check out my article entitled “the Lebron effect”
http://dunksndank.com/the-lebron-effect/
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