As soon as Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao signed on the dotted line two months ago, I had Sunday May third circled on my calendar.
Sorry, had it marked in my iPhone – no one has calendars these days. Anyway, the point remains – this is the most anticipated boxing fight this century and I will be watching it.
Mayweather and Pacquiao are two of the best boxers of their generation and while Mayweather has slowed in recent years, he is still undefeated and among the best boxers in the world.
However, it could very easily be seen as a blight on the sport that two of the best boxers in the world are aged 38 and 36 years of age respectively. The one man to rival these two as the best in the world is the hulking Ukrainian Wladimir Klitschko, who is even older at 39.
To put this into context, Muhammad Ali was 32-33 years of age when he was entering the prime of his career. One of Australia’s best ever boxers, Jeff Fenech retired at the age of 32, while Kostya Tsyzu’s last fight, a loss to Ricky Hatton, came 10 years ago.
Tsyzu was aged 35.
Unfortunately, ongoing safety concerns about the safety of the sport are harming boxing considerably. Every time a super fight such as this one comes along, the PC brigade goes bananas. The outrage surrounding the sport always seems to peak when boxing is on a high; those outraged by the brutality of the sport seem compelled to pull it down a peg.
I completely understand media reports outlining the dangers of such a sport and all boxers should be made aware of them prior to committing to the sport professionally. But what annoys me is that people get on their moral high horse and like to think they’re above the barbarians who watch men knock each other out for fun.
These people don’t understand the technique, intensity and toughness of the sport.
It takes a very brave man to step into a boxing ring. You know that you are going to be punched in the head. You know that the next 36 minutes will be the toughest, most punishing 36 minutes of your life.
This is something that the haters, for want of a better word, fail to understand. Boxers know what they are in for and they have the courage to do so.
I have no issue with the people who choose not to watch boxing; the sport is not for everyone. But please don’t talk down upon those who do enjoy watching the fighters maneuver each other around the ring, punching and counter punching, jabbing and hooking, attempting to land that knockout blow. And there are hundreds of millions around the world who will be watching this fight.
Contrary to the opinion of non-boxing fans, I will not be jumping up and down celebrating if I see Manny Pacquiao fall face first like he did against Juan Manuel Marquez and I’m sure not many fans will be.
I guess this is where the major dilemma comes with boxing; a lot of fans love to see the knockout punch landed but none want to see the consequences of such a punch. The boxer attempts to regain his footing with jelly legs, the boxer has no idea where he is, the boxer is lying face down, not moving.
However, the fact of the matter is, such instances rarely occur. According to the American Medical Association, just 7 per cent of professional fights end in a knockout.
Ultimately, both Pacquiao and Mayweather are entering the fight knowing that they will each walk out of the MGM Grand Arena approximately $180 million US richer. I think the risk may be worth it.
When focusing on the negative outcomes of becoming a professional boxer, the concussions, the CTE, the repeated blows to the head, the positive outcomes of the sport are often forgotten.
It is very possible that Mayweather would be sitting in a jail cell right now, or even worse, lying in a casket. It may sound morbid and exaggerated but it is a real possibility. His mother was a heroin addict and his father was a drug dealer, spending time in jail when Mayweather was a child.
Through boxing Mayweather has discovered himself as a person and as a man. It has taught him many things that he argues his parents did not. Mayweather would never be where he is today without the sport of boxing and it has made him the person he is today.
This is the real power of sport, the power to rehabilitate, the power to grow and develop young adults and the power to turn those who started with nothing into stars through nothing but dedication and hard work.
The story for Pacquiao is similar, he moved to Manila at age 14 after his parents, who were farmers, separated and spent time living on his own on the street.
He had absolutely nothing before he became an amateur boxer. If he did not start boxing and receive a stipend and board from the Filipino government as a result of qualifying for the national amateur team, who knows where he would be today.
Here’s a question for those boxing haters, the people who refuse to support the sport. If you had a choice between spending the rest of your life on the street and becoming a professional boxer, what would you do?
I know what decision I would make.
Ultimately, where there’s a market for a particular form of entertainment, it will be provided. While the overall market for boxing has diminished over the past 20-30 years, the market for this fight is as high as it has ever been.
If these two boxers are willing to put their bodies on the line to deliver a tactical master class between two of the best fighters in the world, I will watch it. I look forward to the literal and figurative punches and counter punches being thrown on Sunday and I hope the Pacman comes out on top.
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