Boxing often shoots itself in the foot, but the Floyd Mayweather–Manny Pacquiao fight has the opportunity to hark back to the golden days when the best fought the best, when there was only one legitimate world title, when a super-fight could captivate the world.
Jack Johnson vs Jim Jeffries, Joe Louis vs Max Schmeling, Ali vs Frazier, Ali vs Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard vs Roberto Duran, Marvin Hagler vs Tommy Hearns, Tyson vs Holyfield and now ‘Money’ against ‘Pacman’.
Sure it should have happened five years ago, when both fighters were at their peak. But this is modern boxing, where money is king, legacies are protected and promoters rule.
Sure it’s not the biggest fight in boxing history, as Mayweather would have you believe, though it is the richest. It is the biggest bout this century and will be closely watched in all corners of the globe.
The fight has fantastic elements to it, starting with the ego-filled 38-year old son of a former drug dealer, and professional fighter, Mayweather.
Few polarize in this world like the welterweight from Grand Rapids does. The 38-year old plays the villain like no-one else. He does this partly because it makes him money, huge amounts of cash, and that’s what drives him.
Undoubtedly Mayweather is hugely talented, one of the finest to ever step in a ring. You don’t go undefeated in 47 fights, win ten world titles and be crowned champion in five different divisions, unless you are a freak.
Supreme confidence is part of the Mayweather show. So is the trash-talking, the flashy displays, the outbursts and the entourage. But ‘TBE’, The Best Ever as he calls himself, is no pantomime villain, he’s been charged with domestic violence six times and served time in prison. He is a serial women-beater. He is a lot that is wrong with elite professional boxing.
And then you have the god-fearing Senator from Kibawe in the Phillippines. The self-made man and national savior.
Talk about chalk and cheese. You are unlikely to find two characters as contrasting as these.
Pacquiao brought himself up from the boot-straps, escaping poverty and a life on the streets through boxing. The death of a friend and young aspiring fighter spurred him into a professional career.
The Filippino would go on to win 10 world titles and he is an eight-division world champion. He has a record 57-5-2, with his most recent loss coming by knockout from Mexican rival Juan Manuel Marquez.
Recovering from that crushing defeat, Pacquiao has beaten Brandon Rios, avenged a terrible decision against Timothy Bradley and dominated Chris Algieri in his past three fights.
The 36-year old is far from holy but is keen on helping the poor and impoverished in his homeland, and has remained relatively humble despite his large fortune. He surrounds himself with family and tales abound of him sleeping on the floors of hotels on his travels.
And then there is his trainer, Freddie Roach, who is like a father to him. Roach continues to battle Parkinson’s disease but is widely regarded as one of the greatest trainers in the sport.
The Mayweather-Pacquiao fight has been brewing for years and finally, finally come Sunday it will be on.
Most are tipping the brash American to emerge victorious. The defensive mastermind, with the best shoulder roll in boxing, to be too strong, too quick and elusive. Mayweather is not a fighter but an artist, bringing boxing down to become a game of chess where he sets traps for his opponent to fall into.
Many are hoping that Pacquiao can spring an upset. The plucky Asian, loved by many, who brings an all-action style to the ring. Someone who has made a living out of beating up bigger opponents, who never dies wondering, who perhaps fights more with his heart than his head.
This bout has got the boxing fraternity, and indeed the sports world, a chatter.
Australia’s Commonweath heavyweight champion Lucas Browne can’t choose between the two.
“I think either Mayweather by decision or Pacman by TKO,” the Sydneysider brawler told The Roar.
“It’s an awesome old school-style fight that’s been missing in boxing for years. I can’t wait to watch it.”
World-ranked Aussie featherweight Joel Brunker believes Mayweather will aim to frustrate Pacquiao.
“Pacquiao will need to be patient because Mayweather will use the shoulder roll and use his great defence,” Brunker said.
“I think Mayweather will look to counter him. My prediction, Mayweather by unanimous decision.”
Former IBO super featherweight world champion Will Tomlinson is another who thinks Mayweather will get the result.
“As much as I want Pacquiao to win, he’s an amazing fighter and such an awesome person, and such an awesome, rags to riches story behind him. I think Mayweather’s going to be too smart, too evasive, too powerful for Pacquiao.
“I think he’ll just kick back and pick him off with his jab. Once he gets Pacquiao in range at the end of his jab then Pacquiao when lunge in to attack and that will just make it easier for Mayweather to pick him off.”
Regardless of the result, this super-fight is sure to entertain. It’s the supreme level, the very best against the very best.
This is what boxing needs more of and hopefully the world doesn’t have to wait a decade or more for another similarly captivating, elite contest.
Follow John Davidson on Twitter @johnnyddavidson
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