It’s only a matter of time now before the super fight of our generation will be announced. Yes but of course, Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquaio vs. Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. Not since Mike Tyson’s return to the ring (after his incarceration) did people boil over, salivate at their mouths about the return of boxing legacy. A lot has changed in boxing, mostly the lack of enthusiasm for the heavy weight division and its current title holders but that has given other rise to other weight divisions, more specifically that of the welterweight division. This is a division that has become the marquee in world of professional boxing, a combination of skill, speed, and strength.
So what can we expect? It’s certainly not the Thrilla in Manila, although considering Manny Pacquaio is a hometown hero that would be quite the draw (that’s a freebie Promoters)? So it’s not Ali vs. Frasier, what is it? It’s inarguably the number one pound for pound fighter versus the… well, the number one pound for pound fighter in the world. Quite the predicament if you ask me.
Before Manny Pacquaio has moved up into the ranks of the welter weight division there was one dominant name in the sport, Floyd Mayweather Jr. He holds a spectacular undefeated record and has out boxed some of the biggest names in the sport. All the while holding dominance he has provoked and marketed himself better than anyone since Ali. He’s a big talker who can back up his words with his superior boxing skills. To say Mayweather isn’t without controversy would be an understatement but he managed to do what others in the sport could never do. He retired without a single blemish to his record. He left at what people would deem at the peak of his career? Or did he? Mayweather the consummate boxer he is could not be away from the sport to long and came out of retirement, refreshed, passionate and determine to regain his crown. A crown he would argue he never lost. Enter Manny Pacquiao.
Manny Pacquaio is a tremendous force in the sport. He has successfully entered and won titles in 7 different weight divisions, the only boxer in history to do this. Manny has been tearing up boxer after boxer in the welter weight division including some of the biggest names in boxing, a list that contains the names Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and more recently Miguel Cotto. And so the chatter is Manny fought an over the hill De La Hoya, or that Hatton is a walking punching bag, and that Miguel Cotto has not and will never be the same since his controversial loss at the hands of Margarito. Perhaps there’s under lying truth to some of this. But Manny didn’t beat these men on score cards; he dominated these icons, legends and warriors in their own respect. Anyone who watched any of these fights would tell you that those legends didn’t go in with intent of losing. But what they got was a beating at the hands of the fastest man in the division perhaps of any division of any time. Miguel Cotto said it best, he couldn’t see where the punches were coming from and he was a lot stronger than he expected. So what’s next for Manny?
The two icons have to meet in the square circle and go toe to toe. Sure Mayweather will make it seem like its about money, he will hype it in a way that only Mayweather can and it a safe bet he doesn’t mind coming off as the villain of the story, but in the end Mayweather needs to know he’s the best. Say what you will about Mayweather, like or dislike, he thrives on the craft, thrives on being the best and he will go into that ring looking for the victory. Manny Pacquaio fights too for legacy, for his country of the Philippines and for the thrill of it all. Manny will come out guns a blazing and with the will of a determine fighter. Although he’s come off some spectacular victories I would not be surprised if he was considered the underdog, the odds on favor being Mayweather, but in a Manny Pacqauio fight one thing is for certain the science of boxing is thrown at the window, anything and everything can and will happen. Mayweather will try to be technical, show his superior abilities and keep Manny at bay; in hopes of schooling what he may deem as an overrated prize fighter. Mayweather seeks to be dominant in a class dedicated to the craft, Manny seeks to be dominant in an all out war, what will be the end result? Who cares we the fans of boxing win no matter what. And if its that damn good we might even get a sequel.
Be sure to keep your eye glued to my future publications of fight predictions, training, controversy and the camps of Manny Pacquaio and Floyd Mayweather Jr. Until that time, enjoy the anticipation fight fans!
