By Sizzle JKD: A funny thing happened on the way to Floyd Mayweather Jr’s victory parade: A rematch will happen between Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.
Per ESPN, the undefeated, #1 pound-for-pound and WBC/WBA/WBO welterweight champ told Stephen A. Smith through a text message this morning, “I will fight him in a year after his surgery.”
What a class act move by Mayweather. If Floyd was ever “on the money” with something, this was it. He didn’t have to do this. But he is a competitor of the sport and a true sportsman. He understands that Pacquiao wasn’t 100% during their fight. And for once (and in the most important time), he wasn’t a hypocrite. Floyd actually is a man of his own word when he says he wants everything to be “on an even playing field.”
Call me all the names you want, but I’m looking forward to the rematch because simply put, I love boxing. And yes, I will pay another $100 for the rematch, which will most likely be held as the inaugural fight at the new Las Vegas Arena, which seats over 20,000 and will be open for business around March or April of 2016.
So much for Mayweather’s retirement plans in September.
Based on this development, Floyd may just take the year off to enjoy his riches and his bragging rights. And in the event he does fight in September, it will probably be against an opponent Floyd knows he can beat easily, such as Amir Khan. My money says he fights Al Haymon stablemate Danny Garcia, who will be moving up to the 147-lb division this year. As Garcia proved against Lamont Peterson in April, he has a lot of trouble fighting defensive “runners” therefore a fight against Garcia is right up Mayweather’s alley.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao has a tough road ahead of him. Deservedly so, Pacquiao has been the target of much criticism the last few days since news spread of his shoulder surgery and an apparent lack of attention to detail by his team in correctly filling up the pre-fight medical questionnaire that was required by the NSAC the night of the weigh-in.
Pacquiao and his adviser, Michael Koncz, claimed they inadvertently checked the wrong box on the form. Pacquiao faces possible sanctions and fines if the NSAC decides to file a case against him for penalty of perjury.
Koncz told the New York Daily News yesterday, “If I was trying to hide anything, would I have listed all the medications on the sheet that he intended to use? We weren’t trying to hide anything, I just don’t think I read the questionnaire correctly. I’m going to take full responsibility for what happened.”
Here’s a copy of the medical questionnaire that was filled out by Koncz and signed by both Pacquiao and Koncz.
Upon further review, this entire mess was botched by Pacquiao’s team for their inexcusable lack of due diligence with regards to the pre-fight protocol and paperwork. Everyone is to blame and more importantly, this should teach Pacquiao a lesson in seizing control and taking matters into his own hands instead of relying solely on what his advisers, yes-men, and leeches are telling him.
As Pacquiao realized this week, he let down his fans in epic scale and most importantly, he failed to be the “Manny Pacquiao” in the ring that people all over this world paid to see. Manny gave us his B-game instead of his A-game and although Manny said he doesn’t want to make excuses and alibis, it’s clear he wasn’t himself in the ring while fighting with a less-than-optimal right shoulder.
Which is why Mayweather has pretty much confirmed that he is going to give Pacquiao a rematch, which is a class move by the champ.
The tide has turned. Not only did Mayweather win bragging rights by defeating Pacquiao, he has also shown his professional side and his compassion by allowing Pacquiao the time to heal and recover so they can go at it again.
Whether the rematch will be for erasing all doubt that the first fight was closer than we initially thought, or for money, or fame, or for legacy, or for second chances, one thing is clear: Floyd deserves newfound respect from fans, especially from his haters, because he is showing the type of respect, empathy, and compassion for a fallen adversary that is worthy of comparison to the type of humanitarian and world leader we expect Pacquiao to be.
Mayweather isn’t obligated to give Manny a rematch. He could’ve easily pulled a “Marquez” in order to leave Pacquiao hung and dry. But by saying he is willing to give Pacquiao the benefit of the doubt and offer him another chance at redemption speaks volumes about “the man” beneath the man. The lasting impression left by Floyd makes him a true champion of the sport.
I can’t wait for the rematch.
48-1.
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