It’s the fight the world awaits; it’s the fight with the potential of earning the world’s single highest pay-per-view buys in combat sports period and it’s the fight which can easily be named “Fight of the decade”. A Floyd “Money” Mayweather versus Manny “Pacman” Pacquaio bout has been the talk of major boxing networks and of the boxing world for quite a few years now, but it failed to materialize after numerous attempts to put the world’s leading pay-per-view and pound-for-pound boxers together in the same ring.
The question of who is to be blamed for the stalemate is open ended as some would say Mayweather is ducking the “Pacman” by his strict demands while others would say it is Pacquaio and his promoter Bob Arum.
The remaining would most likely come up with opinions that are either objective or subjective.
But the fact is those who can make the fight happen should each share some of the blame.
The fact of the matter is that they can easily come to a compromise by gulping down a bit of pride so as to give the world’s best combat sport what it wants.
Zooming in on the fighters, Mayweather seems to be focused on money, his health and his legacy in the sport while his opposite Pacquaio holds firm to his faith in Jesus Christ, his fairytale ride among the sport’s best of the best and his “David can always slew Goliath mentality. It would be remiss of me not to point out that both boxers are at the top of their game and could easily erase the question mark in the minds of many over who is the best should they ever fight?
Robert Newman, one of the world’s best modern day boxing writer and Fightnews correspondent, told this newspaper that before the Mayweather-Cotto fight, he would have confidently picked Mayweather but after watching his last performance, he would have to give Pacquaio a chance.
“Despite my personal feelings about Mayweather and Pacquaio, I felt Floyd would have continued to do what he’s always done – win with ease and style, if not excitingly against Cotto. However, after watching Mayweather have one of his three toughest fights against Cotto, I would give Pacquaio a better chance. That being said, I still feel, at this time, Floyd would have another tough, but winning outing against Manny. However I don’t think Floyd would be so interested in “pleasing the fans” as he put it, but rather, box smartly, defensively, and win on points. Manny’s unorthodox style, southpaw stance, speed and power would make it interesting, but not enough. That’s my opinion. Who knows, if the fight ever comes to fruition, my opinion could change. This is one case where I’d love to be wrong, but right now, I see Floyd by decision,” Newman quipped.
The international writer, who follows boxing action in Guyana and the Caribbean closely, admitted that he is a big Pacquaio fan and has been waiting for someone to whip Mayweather’s butt.
Keith Bazillio, a popular local boxing promoter and pundit opined that pride will make “Pacman” sign the contract, take the Olympic style test and fight Mayweather.
He added that should the fight take place, it will be good for the sport and reinvigorate the science worldwide. “Pacquaio is a powerful fighter no doubt and he possesses speed and power in both hands which are his main weapons, but Mayweather is a special fighter. Mayweather is one of the smartest fighters in present day boxing and he uses his heart, skill and brain to win fights. He uses sweet science to make opponents look amateur and once you sign to fight him, you are already beaten. That’s Mayweather and I have no doubt he will beat Pacquaio,” Bazillio said.
When reminded that `Iron Mike’ Tyson, Muhammad Ali, James Page, and other champions lost after serving time in jail, Bazillio, a former boxer himself said incarceration will only make Mayweather stronger and even more determined to beat Pacquaio. “He is going to jail in a position of financial comfort which he is sure to retain when he comes out. Remember Mayweather manages his own affairs unlike those other boxers,” he added.
Andrew Thorne, Vice-President of the Guyana Boxing Board of Control and international referee agrees with Bazillio that the fight will happen and Mayweather will be the same person after jail, but believes the results will be in favour of the Pilipino star.
“If the fight comes off now, Pacquaio will beat him, even if it comes off after his jail term, Pacquaio will still beat him. The styles of the fighters are different and that’s where “Pacman” has the edge. He can hit from any angle with power in both hands while Mayweather doesn’t possess that skill. In terms of incarceration affecting his performance, I don’t think that will be the case because Mayweather is a different individual and it has a lot to do with the mind of the person,” Thorne believes.
Randolph Singh AKA “Duckie” another pundit and lover of the sport, sides with no one when it comes to who will win. He quoted the words of legendary Guyanese Commentator Brindsley ‘B.L’ Crombley, “I cannot decide the winner until the final bell.”
“Duckie.” who made invaluable contributions to several sport disciplines in Guyana added that it will be a good fight and expressed his confidence in its realization.
“Jail won’t break Mayweather for he is a person with a good heart and a strong mind. In life people make mistakes and each one of us would have reacted in the same or different way under the circumstances which landed him in jail. But the fight will happen and it will be a tough fight for both boxers. They are both incredibly skillful and are considered the best so that’s what we will get; an incredible fight which could be considered the best for the decade. But it’s sad that he has to go to jail, probably it will be a humbling experience for him. That’s what I like America for; don’t matter how big you are, once you break the law, you have to face the consequences of your actions,” “Duckie” explained.
And that much for expert opinions, Pacquaio no doubt has rhythm on his side and should he defend his title against undefeated Timothy Bradley on June 9 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas he will surely enter a fight against Mayweather as the betting favourite.
While “Pacman” fights the tough and proven Bradley, Mayweather will be watching the fight not from ringside, but stateside just under seven miles away in the South side of the Clark County Detention Centre, alone in his 6×10 cell and without his star studded entourage which includes rapper 50-Cent, Justin Beiber, Lil Wayne and a host of others.
Will they ever meet and who will win? That’s the question of the day, week and month, maybe months, but this publication will surely try to find this answer as time goes by. Keep reading.
