In part 1 of this article, we examined possible pitfalls in the making of Pacquiao vs. Mayweather.
I stated that I would look at the facts without any pretense of knowledge of whether or not the fight would be made.
That was because I reserved all pretense of knowledge for part 2.
Now it’s time be a bit more optimistic. There is a gag order in effect for all those involved with negotiations, but there’s no stopping the rest of the world from talking about it.
Here is article number one hundred forty seven thousand, and sixty four on the still hypothetical match-up.
Reasons the fight will eventually be made:
1. Money (the green kind)
This is what ?Money? Mayweather says he’s all about.
A minimum of 20 million for both fighters was on the line before, with totals possibly amounting to 40 million a piece. The possibility that either boxer could pass up this kind of dough for a single match is difficult to believe.
Is it possible that ?Money? Mayweather is so protective of his perfect record that he’d let 40 million go down the drain?
Boxing fan, Cliff Garrigus of Rogers is pessimistic:
I’ve seen fighters duck before, but this whole thing has been by far the most pathetic display I’ve ever seen. Mayweather has proven to me he is running scared.
Ex-boxing trainer, Fred Logue of Knob Hill has great insight on the sport. He’s trained two national champions. His prediction for Mayweather vs. Mosley was amazingly accurate.
Logue thinks the mega-fight will push through:
I think Mayweather’s just waiting on a little bigger payday. I don’t think he’s afraid of Pacquiao, but I don’t think he can beat him.
Boxing enthusiast, Dale Pippin, who works in Rogers said:
I think the first round of negotiations was all hype. They’ll eventually end up fighting.
2. Pacquiao’s desire to please the fans
Pacquiao is a man of many talents, but he knows what got him to where he is today, and he’s appreciative of the fans who have supported him.
While Mayweather claims to fight for money, Pacquiao fights with the hopes and dreams of an entire nation resting squarely upon his shoulders, and he welcomes the opportunity to bear that burden. He has expressed his desire to fight Mayweather.
He is undoubtedly aware of the magnitude of the match-up and its importance to the sport.
Mayweather dominated Mosley for 10 of 12 rounds (AP Photo/Jae C Hong)
3. Fans want to see them fight each other and nobody else
Without boxing fans there would be no boxing. (Original, no?)
Yes, either fighter can take his pick of opponents. Everybody’s calling both of them out, but the world is screaming for them to fight each other.
We’re talking about the two best fighters in the sport. Who wants to see number 1 fight number 5, or number 2 fight number 6?
Who wants to see either of the two men fight somebody that everybody knows he’ll beat?
There’s no suspense or excitement in that.
Everybody wants to find out who the top dog really is.
Two of the greatest boxers of all time just so happen to be fighting at the same weight and in the same era.
If it had been Ali and Tyson, they would have fought. If Pacquiao and Mayweather don’t fight, boxing fans will be asking ?what if? for generations to come.
In all likelihood, Pacquiao and Mayweather will eventually square off. Whether or not they’ll fight each other next, is the biggest question.
There’s been more than enough hype. This round of negotiations should be short and sweet–or short and bitter?as long as they’re short.
At this point either scenario would be a relief.
