Just Let It Go: Floyd Mayweather, JR & Manny Pacquiao Are the Past!

By Kevin “The Voice” Kincade

When will it end? Seriously. Every time I turn around I’m reading an article or a post about Manny Pacquiao winning his umpteenth championship and Floyd Mayweather, JR. coming out of retirement to be King Kong’s arch nemesis in the new King Kong on Skull Island flick, or whatever they’re calling it. Really?

Okay, probably stretched it a bit with the “King Kong” reference; but you know what I mean. I mean, seriously, these guys are on the verge of collecting Social Security and still get more press than a welterweight division more loaded with talent than it has been since the early ‘80’s. They’ve had their day, they’ve had their moment, they’ve made their millions, let it freakin’ go, already. Enough is enough! They are both “wases”

So, Manny won the WBO Welterweight Championship the other weekend. Congratulations. See, this is the problem with having a million belts for one division. Everybody gets to be a champion. History gets to be made with a small “h”. Manny’s out earning a UD against Jessie Vargas while Danny Garcia and Keith Thurman are getting ready to knock heads. Rumors are flying about Kell Brook and Amir Kahn; and what do I see? People still wondering who would win between Floyd Mayweather, JR. and Conor McGregor. Are you serious?!

Here, let me answer that question. If they fight under boxing rules, half of ringside goes to sleep while “Make it Rain” (credit to my Publisher “Bad” Brad for that nickname) makes ‘em snore on the way to an easy win and if they fight under MMA rules, McGregor causes Floyd to tap in record time……all the while keeping his “0” intact because it wouldn’t count against his boxing record.

There. Mystery solved.

Why am I hatin’ on Pac-Man? Why am I hatin’ on Floyd?

I’m not. I’m “hatin’” on the grinders of the rumor mill because they’re riding a dead horse straight through the gates of hell, and I have to read about it. That’s why. I am sick and tired of fighters like Keith Thurman, Danny Garcia, Kell Brook, Shawn Porter and the like being mentioned as an afterthought when they are what IS, not what WAS! Manny’s a politician and is about to turn 38 years old and Floyd’s pushin’ 40 and comfortably retired.

They may deserve an occasional mention, seeing as how they have both earned “legend” status; but until one of them walks up to the winner of Garcia -Thurman or Golovkin – Canelo (as if that’s going to happen before “GGG” turns 40, himself), they do not deserve Top Billing any more than Larry Holmes Vs Mike Weaver II on the senior’s tour; not while Lennox Lewis was ruling the heavyweight division at that same time.

It’s absurd. And now rumors are seriously swirling about Mayweather, JR.Vs Pacquiao II?

NO!! No, no, no, no, HELL NO!!

Even though I knew better, like an idiot, I paid to sit through that crap the first time and it was 6 years too late then!! Perhaps there’s nothing to it; and there shouldn’t be, not when there are other, much younger and more active fighters out there who deserve the attention so much more.
“But don’t you want to know who would win, if Manny’s shoulder’s right?”

I already know who’d win. Both of them! They’d both make off like Bonnie and Clyde with everybody’s hard earned money for giving another lesson in anticlimactics!

No thank you.

I’ll let you in on a little secret. At this stage in his life, Mayweather, JR. would be hard pressed to get a win over Shawn Porter, much less Kell Brook, or maybe even an Amir Kahn; and Manny? Heaven help him if he climbs into the ring with “One Time” or the other Garcia, the “Swift” one. You may not realize it; but objects in the mirror are closer than they appear. It’s easy for one old fighter to look good against another old fighter or even a young fighter with a limited skill set or a penchant to be overwhelmed by the event; but if you put either one of those old fighters in the ring with one of these young 147 lb. lions, the truth is going to come crashing down on you harder than housing prices in 2008…which is about the last time Manny looked truly “awesome”.

Manny, obviously, wants to fight on. Every fighter has their reasons, and I wish him well; but until he climbs into the ring with one of the real champions, he’s a contender. Maybe he and Shawn Porter should get it on? That, style wise, should be a war and a crowd pleasing fight. Pac’s a warrior and he’ll fight on until someone shows him he simply can’t do it anymore. It’s an old, old story and it’ll play out the way it always does.

Floyd seems to be happy enjoying his notoriety with his big, fat 49-0. Good for him. He seems to have the right idea. No doubt with his skills he’d give any young buck a run for their money; but why risk losing the “0” at this stage? He’s no fool. He won’t come back unless the “money” is right; and the sad fact is the best in the division don’t have enough “fame” yet to amp up that purse to where he would want it. Which, incidentally, is why there have been no “rumors” floating around about him comebacking against any of these young guns. It’s just not juicy enough for someone with his gourmet tastes.

So, in conclusion, let go of the past and embrace the exciting young fighters before you who, unlike some of the aforementioned, appear ready, willing, and able to put it all on the line for your fanfare. They want to be your champion. They are warring for the opportunity and your approval on free TV, rather than making you shell out cash, while inviting all of your friends over to soften the blow, by taking on “who’s he”. Save your PPV dollars for fighters who deserve it.
Don’t waste it on a replay.

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