Manny Pacquiao Vs Floyd Mayweather JR: Making it Happen
By Gina L. Caliboso
As the 2010 boxing year comes to an end, it will inevitably be looked at as the year that the biggest fight ever did NOT take place.
As we watched Pacquiao defeat a bigger and stronger opponent in Antonio Margarito, the question remains if whether he and Floyd Mayweather, JR., can ever come to terms to face off against each other in 2011.
I’ve sat back, and as many of the RSR readers know, just waiting for the final signatures to be made. I wanted to see the fight announcement as a breaking news headline on Facebook, Twitter, on our RSR website, but nothing happened. In fact, fight negotiations broke down rather quickly.
As it became clear the fight was not going to happen with the probable opponent as Margarito, I still patiently waited for something accidental or coincidental, to happen to make Mayweather, JR., and Pacquiao face each other.
It never happened and now, we just all have to wonder what exactly will it take for the super, mega-fight to happen? It’s just a few thoughts on my part and I’ll be my usual optimistic and kind critic self about what I hope will happen and what may happen. I’ll save the most crucial point last.
Location of fight: Araneta Coliseum, Quezon City, Metro Manila Philippines
As big as the fight is going to be, the fight should, no doubt, be held in the Philippines. As a reminder, Araneta held the fight dubbed as the “Thrilla in Manila” between heavyweight champions Ali and Frazier.
Even as both Pacquiao and Mayweather, JR., are equally comfortable fighting at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, a fight in the Philippines should take place between the two. Pacquiao has earned that right to fight in front of his people in the Philippines. It would be a full-circle homecoming for the championship fighter.
Mayweather, JR., may agree to this fight, but I can guarantee he probably won’t take a training camp in Baguio. Note to Pacquiao – training camp in Baguio may need some re-tooling. Pacquiao’s last two training camps in the resort town of Baguio have not gone so smoothly.
Weight Provisions:
Pacquiao has spent his career fighting as the smaller man versus the bigger opponent. Mayweather, in his bout against Juan Manuel Marquez, weighed in 5 pounds heavier. He paid a fine to Marquez and he defeated the Mexican fighter rather easily. Since both are welterweights, even as Pacquiao now qualifies as a light middleweight in the rankings, the 5 pounds or more will make a difference. Pacquiao is human and he did feel Margarito’s body punches and got bullied off the ropes. For Pacquiao vs. Mayweather JR, it should be a welterweight bout.
Money:
Who should get the bigger cut of the purse? Hands down, Pacquiao. It’s my sarcasm here, but Mayweather JR, in his quiet the past few months, should really be working with Top Rank and Bob Arum. And when I say working, I mean that he should be paying Pacquiao to fight him. Should he decide to remain in boxing, Pacquiao will have no shortage of fighters to go up against. In Mayweather’s last bout against Mosley, there were approximately 1.2-1.4 million PPV buys. In Pacquiao’s bout against Margarito, there were approximately 1.5 million PPV buys. Pacquiao is the very best in boxing now. He can and should name his price.
Testing:
Last I heard, this is the one area that remains muddled in mystery as to the demand of it and if whether it should be followed. Pacquiao’s refusal for a blood draw 7 days before a fight is hardly an admission of steroid use. At this point, both Pacquiao and Mayweather need to give in and it’s not an unreasonable concession on either fighter’s part. If both camps are so insistent about the truth and validity of the steroid use, then do the testing and take the argument away from either fighter. Mayweather has never raised the testing issue before and suddenly, as he’s about to face the fight of his career, he has to suddenly spread a veil of fear and doubt over his opponents. That’s a deflection on his part. I don’t doubt Pacquiao will do whatever is required for him to make the fight happen.
Here’s my mock prediction by both Mayweather and Pacquiao camps in response to my points.
Mayweather:
Dear Manny and Bob: I agree with you on every point except for the location, weight, money, and testing. Both of you make valid points, but since I’m Floyd Mayweather JR., I’ll just let the two of you decide that I’m the best and you definitely need me to make the fight happen. Let me get together with my people and see what we can work out.
Pacquiao:
Dear Mayweather Family: After much consideration and with my recent election to office, I’ll be in the Philippines. I don’t need the fight. I don’t need the money. I’ve proven throughout my boxing career that I am the better, faster, and stronger fighter to all my opponents. Through God-given talent and blessings, I’ve earned each and every victory through my hard work and determination. The location does not matter. The weight does not matter. I can do whatever it takes within reason regarding the testing. When and if you should decide to fight me, we’ll make it happen. Just be assured, I’ll be waiting. And just so you know, the fans are waiting too.
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