Manny Pacquiao Vs Floyd Mayweather JR: The History Lesson
By Geno McGahee
We’ve all been disappointed by the collapse of the fight that we all crave as boxing fans. Floyd Mayweather, JR., and Manny Pacquiao could not come to terms on two occasions to seal the deal for a showdown, leading to one of the most disgusting pay per view events in the history of boxing: Pacquiao vs. Antonio Margarito. Maybe we can invite Panama Lewis back to work Margarito’s corner.
It’s all over the news. Every boxing site is still referring to the Mayweather-Pacquiao meltdown, speculating as to why it’s not happening, speculating as to what would happen if they met, and some sites just sit there and blindly praise Pacquiao…another disgusting trait that we see from Internet “journalists.” The point is, whether you’re a fan, boxing writer, or groupie journalist, it’s on your mind. Perhaps we can think it into existence…but history tells us not to hold our breath.
Throughout the history of boxing, we have seen fights that the public have demanded fall through for one reason or another. Disappointment and being a boxing fan go hand in hand. Even when we get what we want, it doesn’t always live up to the hype. Remember Oscar De La Hoya’s super bout with Felix Trinidad?
So, since we’ve hit the Pacquiao-Mayweather non fight from just about every angle, directly looking at the situation, why not compare it to the other fights with similar fanfare when things didn’t come together in the end.
Here is a small sampling…
Mike Tyson vs. George Foreman
In 1990, Mike Tyson was on a collision course with Evander Holyfield, but there was a figure that the public had great interest in seeing in the ring with “Kid Dynamite.” Former Heavyweight Champion, George Foreman, would often chant “I want Tyson” after his victories and would go on daytime talk shows to speak of the fight he wanted. Tyson – Foreman was becoming a hot ticket.
In February of 1990, prior to a mandatory defense against Holyfield, Tyson would be shocked and stopped by 42-1 underdog, James “Buster” Douglas, and that only increased the demand for a Foreman showdown. Tyson and Foreman were co-featured on an HBO Boxing broadcast against manageable opposition and both won in explosive fashion. Don King and Bob Arum spoke openly about the potential match up and had it happened, they would not have been able to build an arena big enough to hold all of the fans. It was that big.
Rumor was that Iron Mike didn’t want to fight George. The fact that Foreman had the devastating uppercuts and ate up smaller heavyweights worried him. Whether that is the truth or perhaps Foreman priced himself out of the fight…whatever the reason, the fans lost and lost big time. Foreman went on to face Holyfield and Tyson began his decline and eventual conviction for rape. Foreman-Tyson would have made a boatload of money and would have been one hell of a fight.
Lennox Lewis vs. Riddick Bowe
Another heavyweight match up that the fans demanded was then Undisputed Champion, Riddick Bowe, taking on the #1 contender and former amateur rival, Lennox Lewis. It was 1992, and Bowe had the fight of his life, outworking Evander Holyfield to take the title. It was part of a four man tournament with the other half being an eliminator between Lewis and Razor Ruddock. Ruddock was demolished in two rounds.
The two faced off after Riddick won the titles and all the makings were there for a big money showdown. Bowe, we thought, wanted revenge for a TKO loss in the Olympics to Lewis, and Lewis wanted the titles. Well, Bowe didn’t really want to face Lewis again and gave up the WBC Title to avoid doing so. There were mumblings about the two meeting here and there but Bowe’s fear of Lewis created this non-fight and disappointment for the fans.
Terry Norris vs. Julio Cesar Chavez
In 1993, there were two men hovering around the welterweight division, both promoted by Don King, and both devastating their opposition. At the time, the 84-0 Mexican superstar, Julio Cesar Chavez, was unstoppable and there weren’t many on the horizon that seemed to stand much of a chance to upset him, with the exceptions of Pernell Whitaker and Terry Norris. What made Norris a better fit was the idea that he had the power to knock Chavez out.
On a night in Mexico, Chavez dismantled and destroyed Greg Haugen, while Norris obliterated Maurice Blocker in two rounds. The stage was set for as showdown, but Chavez didn’t want the fight. In his defense, Norris was the naturally bigger man and Chavez would be the aggressor walking into the biggest punches he’d ever face, but that was the test the fans desperately wanted to see. It would never happen. Chavez would lose officially (he lost to Whitaker in September of 1993 despite the ridiculous draw) to Frankie Randall in 1994, while Norris would be left on the floor by Simon Brown in late 1993. The wanting was gone for this fight and both men would never achieve the status they had when they were on a collision course in 1993.
Kostya Tszyu vs. Floyd Mayweather JR
In 2000, Kostya Tszyu was on a rampage. He knocked out Miguel Angel Gonzalez, Julio Cesar Chavez, and came into 2001 with knockouts of Sharmba Mitchell and Zab Judah. The charismatic Aussie by way of Russia had a great right hand, an annoying entrance song, and a huge fan base.
In 2001, Mayweather, JR., solidified his spot as a top dog in boxing with a stoppage of previously undefeated Diego Corrales. The demand became for a Tszyu – Mayweather JR showdown. It would be the then modern version of Whitaker – Chavez, and Tszyu wanted the fight…but rumor would have it, his potential opponent had no interest.
Throughout the career of Floyd, he has been accused of ducking opposition and it may have been the case when Tszyu was in demand. The interest in the fight fizzled as it became apparent that it would never materialize and Tszyu’s career winded down without much fanfare, while Floyd went on to be one of the biggest names in boxing. It is still a debate though as to who would win at 140 in 2001 had they had met. At the time, I favored Tszyu and actually still do.
Boxing is a sport with a love/hate relationship shared with most of its fans. There is no force that pushes the best in the game to meet and sometimes, money is not enough. The Pacquiao-Mayweather, JR., fight is an example of a fight that the public absolutely demanded but that is not always enough. Boxers are human and money isn’t everything. They don’t want to be embarrassed on a grand stage. When Floyd took on Oscar De La Hoya, the “World Watched,” but more of the world would tune into a Pacquiao fight. The thought is intimidating and Floyd is only human. Let’s hope that we don’t have to add this fight to the list above.