On Sunday in Macau, Manny Pacquiao emerged victorious once again.
The 35 year-old Filipino superstar knocked Chris Algieri down six times en route to a lopsided decision to retain his WBO welterweight title.
Kudos, Manny. As a full-blooded Filipino I was as ecstatic as anyone. Now let’s get down to the real facts.
Despite the pre-fight hype, the 30 year-old Algieri was severely overmatched against the future hall-of-famer. Despite upsetting Ruslan Provodnikov in his last fight, Algieri’s first outing outside of his home state was not one that was destined to end in his favour.
The victory served its purpose for Pacquiao. Stay busy, add one to the win column and drum up more interest in the long-overdue legacy match with Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The lingering question is, has the timeframe for a relevant Pacquiao versus Mayweather tiff already passed?
Pacquiao dominated from bell to bell in Macau but this was not the same whirlwind that blitzed the likes of Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto. He’s now a step slower, though arguably a smarter and more calculating fighter.
Mayweather hasn’t been immune to the effects of time either. He too has lost a step, relying more than ever on his airtight defence and counterpunching abilities. Chinks in the undefeated armour are starting to show as he is getting hit more often.
In 2010/2011 it would have been a fight for the ages, akin to Ali versus Frazier. The speedy southpaw boxer-puncher with equal parts speed and power versus the counterpunching technician whose riddle remained unsolved.
Now it would be a battle between two ageing legends with nothing left to prove. Their legacies are more than secure.
If it never happens, the question of ‘what if?’ will soon fade. History will remember what they accomplished: hall-of-fame careers as champions in multiple weight classes and as mainstream ambassadors for the sport during their time. The idea that they fought past their peak would only serve to muddle the fight’s long-term legacy.
For example. Sugar Ray Leonard was alleged to have avoided future hall-of-famer Aaron Pryor during their heyday. Yet with wins over Roberto Duran, Tom Hearns and Marvin Hagler, this accusation is irrelevant when discussing the storied career of Leonard.
On the business side, there is the temptation of one big final payday. Though they’ve both banked millions over the years, as businessmen it makes sense for both fighters to take the money into retirement.
For boxing, the fight will drum up mainstream interest and huge revenues. Still, the years of he said/he said and false rumours has seen fan interest dwindle considerably. The fight would be big but it wouldn’t be the apocalypse of boxing as some may claim – the sport was meant to die in 2002 after Lewis-Tyson and yet here we are.
So does the fight need to happen? In my opinion, not anymore.
Should it happen? From a business standpoint, yes. But the necessity is no longer there.
And finally, will it happen? Until Pacquiao and Mayweather are both standing in the ring with their gloves laced and the bell rings, I won’t get my hopes up.
Finally some other thoughts.
While Algieri’s story of living in his parents’ basement while training in his native Long Island is endearing to fans, he may need a change of scenery if he hopes to compete in the upper echelons of the sport.
A video has made the rounds online of Algieri’s cornerman Tim Lane saying that his strategy was to contain his fighter in the early rounds before letting him loose later on. It’s perplexing at best and dangerous at worst, and didn’t pay off.
Referee Genaro Rodriguez is a veteran of the game with championship experience but he seemed a tad slow to react in certain situations during the fight.
Pacquiao’s corner was drenched in water, causing Algieri to slip more than once. In Thailand they slide in a metal basin under the stool in between rounds to collect any stray fluids. Perhaps this should become an international practice.
Pacquiao’s mother should not sit at ringside. Enough said.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Not relevant but who wouldn't love to see it?
Bones506
Roar Guru
Has anyone watched Anthony Joshua? He is a British heavyweight - he won Olympic Gold in London. He is 10-0. no one has survived more than 3 rounds with him. He has a ways to go but he looks like the next World Heavyweight champion.
Wil
Guest
Its still relevant mate 2 of the biggest names in the game and you're saying its irrelevant. you're just not getting your hopes up so u tend not give a shit. even though they are both past their prime they are still one of the best out there.
His Agony
Guest
Mayweather is far too good for Pacman, Is that the reason why he is not fighting Pacquiao yet? Why is it that Algieri, that I never heard of has to fight him first coming out of nowhere? When it should be Mayweather first.? Algierie has to come out of his mom's basement so as May weather has to come out of his dungeon. is n't it?
His Agony
Guest
President Obama has to drag him out of his dungeon and worst to worst, out of America, cos A,erica is the home of the brave. In a world of sports one has to win and one has to lose. So many boxers are and were willing to take the punch and loses for that huge amount of money.. Either fight or surrender the belt. World Boxing Council, Federation, Organization Take his belt or resigned.
Ben of Phnom Penh
Roar Guru
I tend to agree that Manny is prepared to fight Mayweather, however is Mayweather prepared to fight Manny? History suggest no.
KiwiDave
Roar Guru
Mayweather is a coward. The thought of losing his undefeated streak scares him more and means more to him than the thought of winning, silencing the critics and immortalising himself. This is why people will never associate him as a champion like Mohammed Ali who took on all comers without the fear of losing.
Karabukov
Guest
Jason, how can you say this fight is no longer relevant when all signs still point to this fight even this late as being the richest in boxing history? Never mind, I now predict this fight will happen because the money-making potential of this fight is still too good to make everyone keep the pressure on the craven excuse-laden Mayweather even if they have to drag him screaming into the ring with Pacquiao! Ha ha!
anchorman
Roar Rookie
I don't think that Mayweather has the ticker to fight him. Make more excuses. Frankie remember what Kostya Tszyu did to Judah. To me Judah was a blown up fighter who never achieved what was expected of him.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
Timing beats speed all day long. PacMan gets hit after too often. Mayweather's movement and defence is far superior than PacMan's strength and power. Mayweather's dealt with speed before in Judah.
Simoc
Guest
It would still be the best most watched fight available today, but they are both past peak, though to good for most others.
BOKBOK
Guest
frankie i dont agree to you..base on what you said that mayweather is far too good for pacquiao will tell you that the fight is needed..because in my opinion mayweather cannot match pacquaio in terms of power, speed, explosiveness and angles when they fight..so let see if mayweather got his balls and step to the plate..pac calls him as he wish.
Bones506
Roar Guru
I would have loved to have seen when both really where at the top of their game - about 3-4 years ago. I think Floyd has aged better than Pacman and is still a bit sharper.
edwinheartpacman
Guest
"Mayweather is far too good for PacMan", hey Frankie tell that to the face of MoneyW so he wont get scared facing the Pacman
Jason Tulio
Roar Guru
Hey mate, Cheers for the support. I think that given the name value of both Pacquiao and Mayweather, getting the Latino west coast crowd won't be an issue. That demographic has historically always been big into boxing as well.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
It'd still be the fight of the century.
Frankie Hughes
Guest
The fight isn't needed anymore, PacMan has regressed far too much. Despite beating Algieri so easily, he still took plenty of shots from Algieri. Mayweather is far too good for PacMan
Plainsman
Guest
Hi Jason Thanks for your article. I agree with your notion that the Pacman Mayweather fight is now largely irrelevant from a reputational perspective but it may go ahead for different reasons. The key question that promoters ask now is can they capture the Latino west coast pay per view crowd? Promoters are looking for fighters that can capture this huge audience. I think this will be the driver that will bring the two management teams together to stage the bout. If they can then it will go ahead. Thoughts?
Fer Ios
Guest
To find out whether or not Floyd really fit of occupying the top spot of Ring Magazine's best, Yes the fight is still relevant!