Well. Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao is back on the boxing conversation list yet again. You’re probably wondering why what would be the biggest fight ever held is so hard to arrange. It’s a valid question.
If only I had a dollar for every time I the subject has come up, I might even be able to pay for the match myself. It’s a contest that is set to break all financial records, if it ever goes ahead.
Mayweather versus Pacquiao is the easiest sell known to man – or at least to everyone but the two men who will do battle in the ring.
After five years we are still locked in political and egotistical struggle between the two. Somewhere along the line, the sport that made both men millionaires was lost.
Both camps look at the potential millions on offer to them, but with only the winner taking the spoils, that isn’t quite enough.
Never mind the fact that each man is set to take away $100 million dollars minimum for just lacing up his gloves. What concerns both parties is what will happen to the loser.
There is an old adage used in the world of sports marketing, ‘Win on Sunday, sell on Monday’. It’s the reason why New York Giants jerseys are the hardest to find right now.
The winner of the biggest fight ever will take home millions through endorsements and media coverage generated from their victory, and the loser will see a sizeable chunk come out of their future box office revenue.
For so long, the narrative of Mayweather-Pacquiao has had us all tuned in to witness the next twist in the tale, with millions of us paying for the privilege and thus lining the pockets of both men from our pay per view buys.
When the final chapter is written, and we finally have a winner, one man will see those earnings skyrocket, while the loser becomes second best.
Despite the chance for both men to be validated as No.1 pound for pound, and to hold multiple world titles, and to finally officially be able to call themselves the best fighter in the world, it isn’t enough. That fact sadly epitomises what boxing has become.
Since the dawn of time, two men have been able to settle their differences with their fists, devoid of colour, creed, science or society’s labels, where a man’s heart mattered more than training, income, education or opportunity.
It’s a sport in which a black man who couldn’t get service at a local restaurant became the most loved fighter of all time.
It’s a sport where a street kid who had been lost to society fought his way to a heavyweight title and the millions that came along the way.
The boxing ring is the ultimate proving ground, and one that gives no mercy. Some leave with less than when they arrived, while others leave with much more than their wildest dreams had allowed. But it all started with two men lacing up their gloves with a desire to see who the better man was.
It’s ironic for a sport that has lived and breathed out of the gambling capital of the world, under the bright lights of Las Vegas, that neither man is willing to take the gamble.
What is even more ironic and harder to comprehend is that it would be a gamble from which everybody wins. Everyone except for one of the two fighters.
Big Tom
Guest
If you leave top rank you get the fight you want when pacquaio is no longer the top rank cash cow he will get to fight mayweahther.
The Grafter
Guest
Not sure about that Nick, but your right in a way, Pacman's last 2 fights have been below his normal standards, and would need a dramatic improvement against Mayweather.
Nick
Guest
It is clear to anyone paying attention that Bob Arum is keeping this fight from happening. Every time the fight comes apart, Manny goes and fights a Top Rank fighter, and Arum gets paid twice, once by each fighter. Manny is being taken for a fool - letting his legacy be tarnished while the old man gets rich - Mosley had to leave Golden Boy (he was a partner) just to make that fight happen. Over the last couple of years I believe Mayweather has been more worried about the matchup than Pac - after the Marquez fight I think the tables have turned and Pac's camp does not really want the fight. Either way someone needs to inform Mayweather that his legacy needs this fight more. Pac will be considered a hero to his people no matter what, but If Mayweather does not ever do this fight it will tarnish his legacy a lot - He will not be considered the best fighter of his era and his name will not even be mentioned with the best fighters of all time - If he beats Pac he will be thought of in both area's.
The Grafter
Guest
I believe they owe it to boxing Quitin which I think is what Adam is focusing on. With the media focusing on rubbish like last nights 'fight' in NZ, and MMA gaining further popularity, boxing needs this fight. Im picking November after Mayweather spends his time with Big Bubba.
Quintin
Guest
They have not shamed boxing. This is something that has been going in for years as far the politics of boxing. I think the average person realizes the complication behind contracts and making figbts happen. Years ago people were less aware. They may have disappointed the fans but boxing will go on. If manny fights mayweather it will be after bob arum squeezes all the money out of hiim that he can. Then when mayweather beats him theyll say mayweather fought him past his prime. Pacquiao will get 30% and mayweather will get 70 just like cottos is for may 5. Arum is probably why cotto and mayweather didnt fight in 2008 and it could have been over the purse split. Well cotto seems happy with 30% now. Bottom line is its all aeums fault.
Purple Shag
Roar Guru
Knockout write up fella. The worst thing is, the sport really needs this fight to happen. Especially with the Heavyweights such a snoozefest right now with the brothers K declaring they'll never face off against each other. But everytime PBF or Pac-man fight someone else I don't even want to watch, as it's just one fight further away from their prime they'll be when they finally face each other. If it ever does happen that is, I can't see it happening myself, at least not for a good while. "But it all started with two men lacing up their gloves with a desire to see who the better man was." Think that might be a bit rich mate. I dare say there's the odd Paedo that would have me covered on the boxing front (I almost typed 'who could give me a trashing in the ring' - ha) but I don't think that sentence holds up.
The Grafter
Guest
Very, very true Carlos. The majority of them are parasites mate. There is an ex world champion boxer living in Australia whom I know that was at the VERY top of his game. He's in the Hall of fame, broke several records, and now aged in his early 50's badly suffers medically from his career. This man is broke, catches the train around, and estimates he 'made' 25 million from boxing (mainly in the mid-late 80's). Unfortunately he saw less than 2 of it..............
DQ
Guest
If blood tests were an excuse to avoid Pacquiao, then they would not have been mandatory against every opponent since his post retirement career. Also, something worth noting, originally Pacquiao agreed to the blood test and dictated ring size, glove size, split, $10 mil per pound fine for coming in over weight, all of which Mayweather agreed to. After Mayweather agreed (which team Pac thought would never happen) they suddenly refused the blood testing and created a big dispute about it. Also worth noting about the last negotiations - The deal breaker was that Mayweather needed the fight to occur in May; Arum stated that Pacquiao could not fight in May, but they would fight if Mayweather agreed to June. That's convenient considering everybody knows that Mayweather will be unavailable in June due to his jail sentence. The real obstacle here is Arum's hatred of Mayweather and Golden Boy. That's why a deal could never be reached for Mayweather/Cotto, but shocking once Cotto left Top Rank a deal was reached within a week.
Carlos
Guest
Don't blame the Fighters Blame their Promoters for ruining The Sport of Boxing...
The Grafter
Guest
I think you may find it the other way round Me Me. Mayweather used the blood tests excuse the past couple of years, which was resolved. Mayweather wants to protect his unbeaten record, and a colleague f mine who spent time in his gym last November spoke with Roger who stated they are concerned about 'the little fella' (sic).
MoMo
Guest
"Pacquiao's a $10 million fighter. I'm offering him $40 million. What's wrong with that?" - Mayweather. Nobody is dumb enough to take that offer, and Mayweather knows it too.
The Grafter
Guest
Well written Adam, and your dead right. Without boxing, Pacman might be possibly singing Karioke for a living, whilst Mayweather......, well who knows. My mail is Mayweather has been avoiding Paquiao, and the camp are genuinly concerned of the Fillipino southpaws, and angles he throws. In saying that, I believe Pacman would have to lift his game dramatically following 2 so-so fights against Mosely and JMM. He fights the unbeaten Timothy Braidley in June culminating with the opening of the new Las Vegas 38000 seat stadium, and although the Amercian is a very good fighter, he is small and fighting at 147 will be to much for him. I agree that boxing needs the superfight to happen, which hopefully is November, get it over with so boxing can move on.
MeMe
Guest
What seems to baffle me is that Team Pac has said to anyone that will listen he will fight Floyd anytime and anywhere. But when the time came to do so, he wouldn't. We have heard many people blame Team Mayweather. But really, why is Team Pac able to say he will fight whomever his promoter puts in front of him. Your Promoter does not pick your opponents. yet the world allows this for answer and it becomes Team Mayweather's burden to carry as to why the fight hasn't been made---