The Time is Now: Floyd Mayweather JR Vs Manny Pacquiao
By Geno McGahee
It was no surprise that Manny Pacquiao, 52-3-2, 38 KO’s, defeated Antonio Margarito, but the fact that he added another notch to his belt on a large scale and eliminated another “name” in boxing really leaves only one: Floyd Mayweather, JR.
Many focused on Margarito’s size advantage coupled with the lack of dedication in camp this time from the Filipino champion, but in the end, as most of us suspected, it didn’t matter. Pacquiao is just a far superior fighter then the Mexican boxer and the adage “speeds beats power” should have been the title of the pay per view. Pacquiao not being focused, Margarito training well, and the Pacman never fighting at light middleweight didn’t matter because Margarito is a C level fighter without loaded gloves.
In Dallas, Margarito tried to change his style initially, using his jab from the outside to keep Pacquiao away, but Manny is a typical slow starter. It takes him two rounds to get into his groove and that’s when his opponents are usually in trouble. Miguel Cotto had a good couple of rounds with Pacquiao and Margarito did as well, but once Manny gets started, the show it typically over.
Over twelve rounds, Margarito was battered and the look on his face said it all. His quest was hopeless and he probably wasn’t as confident without plaster in his hand wraps. Margarito isn’t a big puncher without the bricks on his hands and he proved to be less effective against Shane Mosley and Pacquiao…he couldn’t dent either of them. He was reduced to a fighter that tries hard, throws punches, and has a good chin, but he was not a knockout threat.
Another note that should be mentioned is and I don’t want to spoil the “8 division championship” thing, but Margarito was a natural welterweight and Pacquiao’s last fight was at welterweight and they somehow both become top contenders for the vacant WBC Light Middleweight Title? This title was manufactured. It was put aside for Manny because he is a huge draw and it made the Margarito-Pacquiao sale that much more attractive. “Hey, he’s going for an 8th title!” Some contended that the entire Pacquiao unfocused at training camp report was a lie to make this fight more interesting, and although RSR can confirm that it was a mediocre training camp, it is obvious that the promotion jumped on it and pushed it to further generate sales. They knew that Margarito wasn’t much of a challenge, but needed something to make it look like he was.
What is left for Pacquiao? The winner of Sergio Martinez – Paul Williams is attractive, but the public may not have a huge interest in it. Andre Berto is undefeated and has name value, but nobody would consider him a real challenge for Manny. There is no challenge for Manny outside of Floyd Mayweather, JR.
Mayweather, JR., 41-0, 25 KO’s, has avoided a showdown with Manny Pacquiao on two occasions, whether it is justified or not. The first fight meltdown was due to Pacquiao’s refusal to abide by the Olympic style drug testing that Floyd wanted. The Mayweathers explained Manny’s incredible power and energy on steroid usage and although the allegations have been somewhat silenced, they are likely to arise again when they negotiate for a 2011 showdown.
The second collapse of the fight was a curious one. Roger Mayweather, Floyd’s uncle and trainer got into some legal hot water when he beat up a woman. Roger is one of the most classless men in boxing and it was no shocker that he beat a female and should be locked up for a long time. The distraction there took away from Floyd’s confidence. Money troubles for “Money” was another issue and domestic problems of his own also added to the eventual collapse. Racist rants seen on Youtube with anti-Filipino slurs painted Floyd as more of a villain and more evidence that his psyche has been shaken by this challenge that he will have to face eventually.
Mayweather, JR., benefited from being so superior over the opposition that he could avoid opponents and it wouldn’t turn any heads. At one time, Antonio Margarito was pushing very hard for a fight but Floyd declined stating that there was no public interest, even though he was offered a lot of money from Bob Arum to take the fight. Floyd didn’t take any bumps for not taking it because most believe Margarito was a non-challenge.
Pacquiao is the biggest challenge in the career of Mayweather, JR. This is the most interesting showdown in the career of Floyd since January of 2001 when he faced fellow undefeated super featherweight, Diego Corrales. Mayweather shined and pummeled him, but since then, he’s been such a huge favorite over his opposition that there hasn’t been much drama. The drama that surrounds his fights is created by Floyd’s marketing. He knows how to sell and many pay to see him lose because he knows how to be obnoxious and arrogant. It’s mostly a character he’s created to make money and it’s worked.
The public has been disappointed on two occasions as Mayweather-Pacquiao fell apart, but they have not given up yet because the fight is just that important. Nobody outside of Manny seems to have a shot to beat Floyd and vice versa. It’s a rare occasion when the #1 and #2 recognized pound for pound fighters occupy the same weight class and are in their prime and share equal popularity. It’s the ingredients for a super fight and it will make a fortune. If the fight is officially signed, expect boxing to come back to the top of the sporting world. It would be the biggest story in sports and the two collapses of the fight will prove to have helped as it finally happens. We’ve been teased enough.
Both fighters have hinted at retirement and it is looming for both of them. Pacquiao wants to live the rest of his life in the Philippines as a politician, while Floyd has retired and came back, but may not have the heart for it anymore, unless the deck is stacked in his favor more so. Pacquiao is a pick’em fight and Floyd has some doubt and he has to decide if he’s still a competitor in boxing. To be the best, you have to beat the best, and Pacquiao is the best out there and has been facing some tough challenges and doing well. He’s powerful and aggressive…the exact style that can give Floyd issues. Boxers like Juan Manuel Marquez and Shane Mosley tried to outbox Floyd and that is a tall order. You must attack and Pacquiao is an aggressive machine that will keep coming. Pacquiao has issues with counter punchers and there is none better then Floyd. In other words, it seems that the only man that can beat Floyd is Manny and the only man that can beat Manny is Floyd. It is time to settle this.
Expect a 2011 showdown with Floyd and Manny finally giving the masses what they want. If the fight doesn’t happen, I expect one or both of them to hang up the gloves. The public is sick of waiting.