Mayweather being a man of massive pride, he had better voluntarily relinquished the crown than had Pacquiao dislodged it by force.
Floyd Mayweather Jr. ascended his uphill trail to the pound-for-pound throne by keeping himself undefeated and by making use of his superb defense and precise counterpunching battle plan, which is still a beauty to behold in the eyes of the few remaining conservatives of the sweet science. This fighting trait and his quite unproblematic campaign at collecting six world titles in six divisions allowed him to gain wide leverage over his contemporaries who likewise held perfect victory records. If the ranking was to be based alone on spotless resume, there was simply no serious threat to Mayweather?s crown. Joe Calzague of England who left the ring undefeated was closest, but unlike the weight – itinerant Mayweather, the “Prince of Whales” spent most of his boxing life as a world champion at super middleweight for over ten years. Additionally, Calzague?s fights were mostly held outside the United States, blocking the sluggish march of his fame the world over.
But Mayweather?s regime being unthreatened was short-lived as Manny Pacquiao from the neighboring lower weight division was hastily and noisily sending tremors that he was up for the uncrowning of Mayweather. Pacquiao was ceaseless at impressing people with his attitude of knocking out every opposition placed in front of him by engaging them with real battles which were characterized by the true elements that define as to what a fight is all about ? unwavering bravery, display of lighting speed and power, and the willingness to dispose opponents at the shortest time possible.
In arrogant protestation, the trash-talking American champion relentlessly maligned Pacquiao?s claim to the throne, citing the latter?s 3 losses of which 2 of them were by early stoppages as crystal-clear evidence of his supremacy over the Filipino punching machine. Notwithstanding, Pacquiao remained a constant intimidation to Mayweather?s tenure as the former?s exploits in the ring continued to assert the fact that being undefeated alone is no sufficient ground for one?s greatness and ring supremacy. One?s prominence as a fighter evidently depends on the breed of fighter that one faces and how he performs in the ring. Mayweather is widely known for his prudence at picking opponents whom he deems to be certainly beatable with his semi tract and field approach at boxing.
While Pacquiao kept on doing his thing that never failed to enamor all brand of boxing spectators, Mayweather after defeating Oscar dela Hoya by split decision remained undefeated but still lingered on his lethargic hit and run style. People were becoming sleepy watching his fights, whereas any fight involving Pacquiao kept on sending people mad with thrill and excitement. In consequence Manny Pacquiao had been the persistent threat to topple Mayweather down from his lofty and regal perch.
With the multitude of boxing experts now becoming swayed by the day to the side of the Filipino boxing marvel and suggesting all the while for Pacquiao?s installation as the worthy king, Mayweather must have felt that his pride was in jeopardy after all. And one remedy it seemed for Mayweather to stop Pacquiao?s speedy ascent to the top was to allow himself to fight the best, like Pacquiao. But the Grand Rapids, Michigan native was adamant at his manner of cherry-picking opponents, avoiding in the process fighters who had better chance at beating him. Simply said, it was just a matter of time until Mayweather?s number 1 rank falls on the lap of Pacquiao. On one hand, had Mayweather opt to fight the big fishes in his division like Mosley, Cotto or Margarito during which time, he was as well aware he might lost, thus his number 1 spot in the pound-for-pound ranking which he used to hold dear would follow suit, Pacquiao claiming it.
Whichever of the aforementioned scenarios, Mayweather was highly liable to fall to number 2. But Mayweather being a man of massive pride, he had better voluntarily relinquished the crown than had Pacquiao dislodged it by force. In so doing, Mayweather?s pride remained intact and falling to number 3 or 2 in his predetermined return won?t hurt his self-worth either.
