The disappointing numbers of the Bradley-Alexander fight several days ago reaffirm what many believe that boxing is not a matter of bringing the top guys in one division and expect a box-office hit.
Both Tim Bradley and Devon Alexander were undefeated before they faced each other. They were ranked highly. In fact, along with Amir Khan, they compose the ?Holy Trinity? in the light welterweight class. Both were Americans fighting before an American audience and their bout was supposed to be one of the bigger events to kick off the year. So it was shown on pay per view (PPV) television by HBO.
Alas, from all indications, the card bombed out and the fight itself did not live up to expectation. There was stoppage, indeed. But it was due to cuts inflicted from headbutts. There were no knockdowns and the fight was never even remotely suggested to be good enough to be noteworthy.
Which brings us to the only two boxers that can bring in the fans at the stadium and ring the cash register on PPV sales: Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Floyd started to jack up his PPV numbers when he outfought Oscar de la Hoya to earn a close split decision victory. Before that fight, Floyd never hit the one million PPV buys on the strength of his own.
Manny Pacquiao also took the same route. He shellacked poor de la Hoya into surrender after the eighth round to start his rise as crossover star in the sports.
Both Pacquiao and Mayweather have since averaged more than one million PPVs in each of their post de la Hoya fights.
So why do these two welterweights sell?
Aside from being the top two pound for pound boxers in their generation, both have contrasting styles that bring different levels of excitement.
Floyd is a master technician who frustrates his opponent by being a difficult target to hit. He is a defensive wizard who preys on the mistakes of others. Add to the fact that he is also undefeated and an American to boot. These qualities make a good recipe for box office attraction.
Pacquiao on the other hand worked his way to stardom with his fan-friendly boxing style ? a throwback to the glory days of boxing where and when the best fought the best. His whirlwind and unpredictable style add new dimension and meaning to excitement. In contrast to Floyd, Pacquiao makes his opponent commit mistakes. Why, he can even make a non-fight like the one he had with Joshua Clottey looked like nothing but a sparring session and yet solicit ohhs and ahhs from the crowd who stayed to hear the verdict.
No doubt when these two fighters finally agree to fight each other, it would be the biggest event in the century. It will break all existing records, even live gate attendance if they decide to fight outdoors.
But alas, it may not be.
But in the meantime, with Floyd opting, nay being forced, to stay out of the ring, we have to contend with the fact that right now, it is only Manny who can generate more than one million PPVs while exciting his fans and promoters.
After all, his style and reputation as a feared ring gladiator precedes him. And these are all that matters.
