Pacquiao and Boxing Loses Without Mayweather

 

                                                                        by Kevin Smith

Over the past year it has been hard to refute that the hottest topic in boxing has been the debate over a possible Manny Pacquiao versus Floyd Mayweather, Jr. title fight. It has been a discussion heavy on the boos and short on the cheers. Everyone has heard the screaming, the arguments, and read the polarized comments from both ends of the spectrum. 

Technically speaking, Manny Pacquiao doesn’t need a fight with Floyd Mayweather Jr. to determine or create his boxing legacy. His legacy is already written both in and out of the ring. However, for Pacquiao, a fight with Mayweather still represents the most direct and ultimate statement to his few remaining critics and for his final penning into the history books as “Undisputed Champion.”

Like him or boo him, agree or not on how it was obtained, Floyd Mayweather Jr. has earned the title in boxing as the “ultimate fight” for Pacquiao. It would be a match-up that without a question, would proclaim the winner as the best “pound-for-pound boxer” in the world. No other fight on the horizon could do that with such finality.

Pacquiao’s continued fighting after the level of success he’s obtained, seems to confirm that he too believes until a fight with Mayweather is realized, the final piece to his career puzzle—a chance to leave boxing more gloriously than if he had just fought “valid opponents” - remains elusive.

Even larger for Pacquiao, an ultimate fight with Mayweather, like no other, would provide him the exit victory from boxing that would allowed him to pursue other desired avenues, like politics in his home country of the Philippines, with the title of "the greatest boxer in history."

Realizing the ramifications of a Mayweather-Pacquiao showdown, it seems likely that Manny Pacquiao may be cheering the loudest for Mayweather to survive his latest round of legal troubles. For no one brings what Floyd can to a bout. No one has to like Mayweather, how he came to be in his position, or how boxing promotion has made his situation what it is. But it would be difficult to argue Mayweather isn’t the current most polarizing Pacquiao opponent - hence the most significant.

It’s easy to cheer on Manny Pacquiao. What may be hard for many in boxing circles, including Pacquiao fans, to do is to cease their booing and to cheer for Floyd Mayweather, Jr., in hopes that he will overcome his current legal problems.

Lance Armstrong, the great American cyclist, explained much about the realities of professional sport and life when he remarked, "A boo is a lot louder than a cheer. If you have ten people cheering and one person booing, all you hear is the booing." It is a sentiment and reality known well by those who wear the fabled gloves of boxing and choose to seek their legacy in the world of the squared circle. The boos are always remembered. Never forgotten. For a boo is the most powerful and lasting sound in sports. It is the sound that athletes never forget. It would be a shame if the last sound heard in the storied career of Floyd Mayweather, Jr. was the sound of booing. No one wins if that occurs, not Mayweather, not Pacquiao and his legacy, nor the sport of boxing.

Manny Pacquiao Being Boycotted Actually Poses an Interesting Debate

A lot of boxing columnists and the general public have been trying to boycott Manny Pacquiao’s fights.  There are YouTube videos and even a Facebook Fan Page dedicated to boycotting the Mosley/Pacquiao fight.  Both Bob Arum and Manny Pacquiao are receiving a ton of venom from writers and fans alike.   To me, there are primarily two reasons Arum made this fight:  Because of Black and Green.  In other words, Bernard Hopkins’ comment on Pacquiao avoiding Black fighters and finances.  People just think Mosley is too old and Pacquiao’s cherry picking.  I think the boycotting of Pacquiao actually poses an interesting debate that” could” be good for the sport itself overall for boxing fans and the community.  Here are some reasons:

1. In order for us to see Pacquiao/Mayweather, do we refuse to support any fights of Mannys  until the big one is made?   I don’t necessarily agree with a Mosley/Pacquiao fight.  I think if Manny loses, the sport is hurt and Mayweather retires.   No one wants to see a Mosley/Mayweather fight again.   If Manny loses, a new star will certainly emerge.    If the fans refuse Pacquiao’s fights does it force a Mayweather/Pacquiao brawl to be made?   Or does Manny keep fighting these folks until Mayweather finally comes to the table?   And don’t say boxing will be alive and well without the two.   We will see fights, but not nearly at the level of these two men who would certainly break all monetary records.

2.  After Mosley, where does Manny go from here?  As a boxing fan, I’d rather see him fight a young lion like Berto  than a Mosley.   Marquez is old news to me.  I lost total respect for the man after choosing to fight Erik Morales of all people (especially after a Katsidis fight).  If anything do Katsidis/Marquez II.    Or maybe Manny fights a Sergio Martinez or a Paul Williams?  Bottom line: Boxers need to challenge themselves like Timothy Bradley and Devon Alexander are doing. If Manny fights a challenging young lion after and if he beats Mosley, I’ll respect him more.

3.   Pacquiao doesn’t need to prove anything more. What does he prove by fighting Mosley?  That he can box with a legend who is at the end of his career? Or that he can beat a black fighter?
Bob Arum/Leonard Ellerbe/Floyd Mayweather/Manny Pacquiao:  I was watching “When We Were Kings” the other day.   Ali/Foreman was sooo huge back in the day.  Shoot, Ali/Frazier was bigger.    Here’s my proposal:

Pacquiao/Mayweather I: Caesars Palace in Vegas
Pacquiao/Mayweather II: Manila
Pacquiao/Mayweather III: Africa

Get over your egos and make this kind of money.  Boxing fans may just refuse to support you guys if this crap continues to go on and on and on and on……….

Manny Pacquiao: Without Floyd Mayweather, He Has To Fight Twice To Earn $40M!

 

                                                     By: Leo Reyes

Instead of fighting only once in a year, Manny Pacquiao has to face two hungry challengers to make at least $40 million in one year as a consequence of Floyd Mayweather's refusal to face him in the ring this year.

Pacquiao has officially announced he will face Shane Mosley on May 7 at MGM Grand Garden in Las Vegas for a $15 million guaranteed purse. Adding revenues from pay-per-view buys and other receipts, Pacquiao can make probably a bit over $20 million or maybe less.

If Mayweather agrees to face Pacquiao this year, he stands to make no less than $40 million in guaranteed purse and other receipts including proceeds from pay-per-view subscriptions.

As it is now, Pacquiao has to fight twice this year to make at least $40 million. It would have been much easier and convenient for him to fight only once this year, owing to his work in congress, which needs his time and personal attention.

In reality, Mayweather stands to make the same amount of money, assuming they agree on a 50-50 purse split. Likewise, it would have been convenient for the undefeated boxer to fight once in a year as he previously stated.

But who is actually to be blamed for the fiasco?

Based on a number of online polls, most boxing fans say Mayweather should be blamed for the failed fight negotiations. They think Mayweather did not really want to fight Pacquiao as he tried to find a way to justify his decision.

Others said Mayweather is afraid to face Pacquiao as he risks losing his "O". Everyone knows Mayweather, who remains undefeated in his 41 professional fights, will do just about anything to keep his unblemished record.

One of Mayweather's justifications for evading Pacquiao is the Filipino boxer's continued refusal to submit himself to his version of Olympic-style random drug testing.

But everyone knows he wanted his own version of random tests on Pacquiao, which is not the same as the Olympic-style full random testing.

On record, Pacquiao has agreed to a 14-day drug testing window, which was previously and mutually agreed upon by both parties but Mayweather later reneged on his decision and instead wanted full random tests up until the night of the fight.

"We're going in a different direction," Arum told the Grand Rapids newspaper. "What I believe is that Floyd never really wanted the fight and this is just harassment of Pacquiao.

"We appeased Mayweather by agreeing to a urine analysis at any time, and blood testing before the press conference and after the fight. Mayweather pressed for blood testing even up to the weigh-in. He knew that Manny gets freaked out when his blood gets taken, and feels that it weakens him. This is just harassment and, to me, just signaled that he didn't want the fight."

As negotiations failed, Mayweather said, "I understand Pacquiao not liking having his blood taken because, frankly, I don't know anyone who really does," Mayweather said in a statement. "But in a fight of this magnitude, I think it is our responsibility to subject ourselves to sportsmanship at the highest level. I have already agreed to the testing and it is a shame that he is not willing to do the same.

It leaves me with great doubt as to the level of fairness I would be facing in the ring that night."
The recurring disagreement on the random drug testing issues continues to hound both boxers as the issue is muddled in mystery with no definite end in sight.

Meanwhile, Mayweather Jr has been fighting his own battle outside the ring as he got himself embroiled in legal issues in his home front, while Pacquiao has just returned to Manila from a grand family vacation in Japan and Australia.

Pacquiao is attending to his duties as a neophyte congressman of the Philippines. He will soon start training for his date with Shane Mosley on May 7 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

"Fight Night Champion" Preview

Pacquiao's Commercial at San Manuel Casino

Is Floyd Mayweather the real reason Manny Pacquiao chose Shane Mosley?

Manny Pacquiao's decision to take on Shane Mosley continues to receive at best a mixed receptions from both fans and the media. In fact numerous writers and fans alike are already calling for a boycott of the fight, in many cases the same people who were saying similar things shortly after it was announced that Pacquiao would fight Johua Clottey and Antonio Margarito.

Many however just don't like the idea of Shane Mosley getting to fight Pacquiao. They say he's too old or that he didn't perform well in his last couple of fights and those are both fair criticisms.

Others would just have preferred to see a young and unbeaten champion in Berto or an old rival in Marquez get their chances, regardless of whether or not this would have made the fight any more or less competitive. Also failing to note that had either Berto or Marquez been chosen that they would have carried with them their own shortcomings.

So just why was Shane Mosley chosen as Pacquiao's next opponent?

It is a well known fact that Marquez is just too small to make much of a fight of it at two divisions up from his natural weight and that Andre Berto doesn't have enough of a track record against the best to warrant the fight. Similarly had either of them been chosen, the doubters and naysayers would then no doubt have said that Pacquiao was ducking Mosley.

The official line from Top Rank and Bob Arum is that Mosley makes the most financial sense and that of the opponents on offer he and Pacquiao would sell the most pay per views. Certainly for Top Rank he makes the most financial sense now that he is free from any involvement with Golden Boy, but in terms of pay per view sales Pacquiao really doesn't need a big name opponent to do well anyway.

After all not long ago he fought pay per view non entity Joshua Clottey and still managed to sell 700k buys, so it isn't as if, with either Marquez or Berto, he would have sold a huge amount less than the predicted one million buys his fight with Mosley is expected to generate.
Perhaps the main reason Mosley was chosen?

Because of his link to Pacquiao's nemesis and only real rival in the pound for pound stakes Floyd Mayweather.

Despite the fact that Mayweather has been largely inactive for the past couple of years, he is still regarded as the pound for pound best fighter in the world by many fans and reputable organizations. At time of writing around half of the widely subscribed to pound for pound ranking lists have Mayweather as number one while the others now have Manny Pacquiao at the top, a few even going with Sergio Martinez to the number two spot.

If as the odds makers expect, Pacquiao beats Mosley in a more impressive fashion than Mayweather did, that is to say he knocks him out, then his claim to the number one spot ahead of Mayweather will be undeniable.

From there the only way for Mayweather to ever regain the pound for pound throne would either be to beat Pacquiao, or beat Pacquiao's recent former opponents in quick succession. Neither of which he appears either currently able or to too keen to try to do.

Another win over Marquez would mean little given that he is after all a lightweight anyway. Handing Berto his first loss similarly wouldn't really be big news given that Berto has yet to really fight an elite opponent anyway.

Facing Mosley rather than anyone else right now leaves Pacquiao as the universally accepted pound for pound king should he win, rather than interchangeably one or two depending on what source you subscribe to.

Jonny Morton, Pitt: "Mosley would destroy Berto or Marquez so why does everyone have a problem with him? Floyd is the only other interesting opponent and he's as good as retired"

Elvis Vayan, Manila: "Manny is making Floyd need him now not the other way around. It's the only way the fight will ever happen"

Who's after Pacquiao and Mayweather?

 

By Marcus Henry

We’ve already given you a list of fights to wish for and a few fights our readers would like to see. How about the fighters? Which fighters should fans be on the look out for in 2011 and beyond? Below is a list of fighters, other than Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather, etc…who are ready to take a major step into the boxing spotlight.

Andre Ward (23-0, 13 KOs): Right now Ward is without question the top 168-pound fighter in the world. His win over Mikkel Kessler has made him the darling of the division. He’ll square off against Arthur Abraham in the Showtime Super Six World Boxing Classic semifinal sometime this spring. A win there would put him in the final against the winner of the other semifinal between Carl Froch and Glen Johnson. The former Olympic Gold medalist isn’t flashy, but his talent is above reproach. Ward, who is the favorite in the tournament now, will likely face Lucian Bute sometime in 2012.

Sergio Martinez (46-2-2, 25 KOs): Martinez is in the unenviable position of being the best fighter in a division devoid of great stars. He’s considered the best middleweight in the world. The problem is there aren’t many quality middleweights. Many fo the top middleweights have moved up to 168 in the last few years. Lou DiBella told the Neutral Corner last week that he’s working on a bout with Sergei Dzinziruk. Although it’s not a bout the world necessarily wants to see, HBO appears to be very interested. The question is what happens after that fight. There aren’t many places for Martinez, who shook up the boxing world with a one-punch KO of Paul Williams, to go. One insider familiar with the situation said Martinez would love to take on Miguel Cotto.

Mike Jones (23-0, 18 KOs): The Philadelphia native finds himself in the same predicament as Martinez. He’s a quality fighter in a division that doesn’t have a ton of big names. Outside of Pacquiao, Mayweather and Shane Mosley, there aren’t many welterweights for Jones make his mark against. Andre Berto could be a possibility for Jones. But you have to wonder if DiBella and Berto would be willing to risk a fight like that. It would certainly help Jones, though. Jones, 27, who scored a majority decision over Jesus Soto Karass on the Pacquiao-Margarito undercard, will fight Karass in a rematch in February. At some point someone will realize Jones’s potential.

Andre Berto (27-0, 21 KOs): Speaking of Berto, here’s another welterweight that seems to be caught in the switches. There are some who believe Berto is overrated. But he does have wins over Carlos Quintana, Juan Urango, Luis Collazo and Steve Forbes. Ok, so none of those fighters are exactly hall-of-fame candidates. But they are all quality opponents. Clearly, it’s time for Berto to step up his competition. And why not start against Miguel Cotto or maybe a bout against one of the hot 140-pounders. Amir Khan perhaps? This is assuming Top Rank boss Arum doesn't want to risk putting Pacquiao in the ring with him.

Saul Alvarez (35-0-1, 26 KOs): Alvarez’ record is impressive. But no one is impressed with his list of opponents. Beating Carlos Baldomir isn’t saying much, especially if he’s the best fighter out of the 36 Alvarez has faced. That notwithstanding, the Mexican native is a rising star in the 154-pound division. He has tremendous power and the charisma to be a real star. Don’t be surprised to here his name in the same conversation as Miguel Cotto, assuming Golden Boy Promotions can mend the fences with Top Rank. Yes, Alvarez is a Golden Boy fighter, which means it will be tough finding him a quality opponent outside of Oscar de la Hoya’s umbrella.

Amir Khan (24-1, 17 KOs): What’s there not to like about Khan? He has the heart and the power to be a star. He’s held his own against some of the quickest (Paulie Malignaggi), most powerful (Marcos Maidana) and experienced (Marco Antonio Barrera) fighters in the game. Outside of his questionable defense, he has the tools to be the next great one. Now can he get a fight against any of the other top 140-pound fighters in the game? Khan’s people are hoping he’ll get a shot at Devon Alexander or Tim Bradley. A bout against Pacquiao in the near future may not be out of the question either.

Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao: Are They Real Champs or Paper Champs?

                                                 By: Troy Sparks

You can define a real champion in boxing as one who consistently wins and defend his titles.

There are champs you can name, but the two most recognizable champs won't fight each other.

Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather call themselves champs because of their accomplishments over the past five years.  How many times did their wins call for a mandatory defense?

I don't care about Mayweather and Shane Mosley fighting a one-sided fight.  It wasn't interesting after the third round.

Mayweather and Mosley fought for Mosley's WBA championship belt last May.  Mayweather had no belts to put on the line.  If anything, Mayweather's win made him a paper champ in my book.

Pacquiao, who took Antonio Margarito's WBO welterweight belt last November, will put that belt on the line this May against Mosley, and it's the old guy's belt to take.  It's predicted that Pacquiao will beat Mosley and take his $15 million and the belt back.

However, Pacquiao said his challenge with Mosley will be difficult.  Really, Manny?  So if Mosley shocks the world and beats you, then he's the real champ.

Mayweather, I might add, is also a paper champ in U.S. currency because he brings in the money for HBO and the fans who pay outrageous prices to see him fight.  It's obvious that he loves flashing his cash.  I won't call him a real champ until he challenges Pacquiao and beats him.

Buster Douglas and Evander Holyfield were paper champs, and you might disagree with me.  Mike Tyson was a real champ and not much after that after his losses to Douglas and Holyfield.

Bernard Hopkins was a real champ because he defended his belts many times in the same weight class.  Pacquiao defended his belts several times, but they were in different weight classes.

Muhammad Ali was a real champ and so was Larry Holmes.  You can include Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler in this group.  There are too many real champs in different weight classes to list in this article.

My definition of a real champ in boxing is one who wins a title belt and has to fight the next man in line and beats him to keep the belt.

Pacquiao should fight the No. 1 contender at the welterweight class to keep the WBO belt, if Mosley is the No. 1 man.  When we see these fighters picking and choosing who they want to fight, they're playing it safe.

If Mosley took the belt from Pacquiao, would he fight the next man up, or would he go out into the sunset by retiring?

The casual and diehard boxing fans already know that the fight game has changed.  Forget about how much money the fighters make.  I want to know if the current champ can step up to the plate and defend his title.

Case in point: Timothy Bradley should've battled Amir Khan, who's ranked No. 2, instead of Devon Alexander, who's ranked below him.  If the unification belts are on the line between the two junior welterweights, the winner should have a mandatory defense.

Mayweather and Pacquiao aren't real champs at this point until they fight each other.  But, if that doesn't happen, we can only dream of what could've been.