Maybe there is something more to the delay of the so-called fight of the century between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Maybe it’s better for boxing if it drags on a while longer.
The hype, the pictures, Pacquiao tours for Mosley fight, Floyd Jr. has his trial postponed, uncle Roger has his legal issues, Floyd Sr. hung up on steroid issue with Pacquiao and on it goes. Freddie Roach and Roger have their dialogue going on a continuing basis as the trainers. While each one is having some pride in their work. Freddie the trainer of many is countered by Roger who claims the ultimate success with his nephew as an undefeated fighter. The LasVegasSun reports: “Fans line up to see Manny Pacquiao on promotional tour” ESPNboxing reports: “Floyd Mayweather's trial postponed” Fanhouse reports: “Mosley has dropped what had been an ongoing defamation suit against Conte, but Roger Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather, Floyd Mayweather Sr. and both Richard Schaefer and Oscar De La Hoya -- the CEO and President, respectively, of Golden Boy Promotions -- still are named in a suit by Pacquiao which seeks compensatory and punitive damages for defamation of character. The lawsuit names the five of them for their alleged accusations of steroid use by Pacquiao.” Late night television, which has no interest in the Bantamweight division or the rankings in the boxing journals, now has another two celebrities to bring out and pump up in anticipation of the fight. Even guys that we would never have known or cared about like Alex Ariza, Pacquiao strength and conditioning coach and Leonard Ellerbe, Mayweather advisor have become celebrities themselves. We don’t really need a fight now when all these balls are in the air. Papers are selling and ordinary citizens have become involved in the process. Read the online journals and magazines and blogs and the comments are fast and furious. Speak strongly about either one and the knock down begins in the retorts from the fans. Nationalism now reigns and any comment to the negative about either fighter is perceived as something other than what it was meant to be. Objectivity has exited and when the fight happens and it will happen the vacuum afterward will be deafening for the fans. EastSideBoxing reports: ““I’m never gonna let my fans down,” Floyd said. “That’s the reason I’m 41-0. Don’t worry, we’re gonna beat Poochiao’s ass. Stop asking the same question. ‘When are you gonna fight Poochiao?’ I’m gonna fight the Pac-Man - when he’s off the power pellets.” As fans can see, Mayweather - who will turn 34 a month before his next appearance in court happens - remains as boisterous as ever when it comes to the Filipino legend. But will Floyd ever face Manny, what with all the legal issues he has on his plate? And as to “Money’s” statement about fighting Pacquiao, “when he’s off the power pellets (steroids)” - that issue alone remains one of the most contentious in current boxing.” Then we will have the slow build up to a rematch with all the crap that goes along with that and boxing will burst out again all over town. Not since Ali and Frazier have we seen such passionate interest but for different reasons. I am suspicious especially when fighters who are now in the business side of the game and varying past and present promoters are seen together at different locations. Then there is the gigantic cowboy stadium in Texas the ultimate setting for two gladiators and if all works out well the great fight can be in the great arena and every seat will be filled. Some tremendous fighters are lost in the shuffle and have become undercard billers even when their fights are front page and top shelf. Go up the ladder to the heavyweights and down the ladder into the lower weights and there is action but who cares is the question. Fanhouse reports: “Nonito Donaire to be Well-Healed Against Fernando Montiel” It seems that nobody cares while the dormant duo is on opposite sides of the table. To fork out the pay per view dollars for the big fight would not be a problem there will be a way. Even if a neighborhood has to peer through somebody’s window they will find a way and it does not have to happen now. The bottom line is that boxing remains in the news even though it is two gifted fighters and celebrities that keep it there. All the negatives that seem to surface in times of lack of major champions are on the back burner for awhile. The cries of eliminating boxing as a brutal and unsustainable sport are on hold as well.
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