Just as how the Marvin “Marvelous” Hagler and Sugar Ray Leonard Super Fight came into fruition, the most awaited Super fight between Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao and Floyd “Money” Mayweather is going through series of obstacles. If you could recall, it took couple of years before Leonard decided to fight Hagler and during the pre-fight negotiations of Hagler-Leonard bout, in return for granting Hagler a larger share of the purse Leonard obtained several conditions which would be crucial to his strategy; a large ring (24x24ft), 12oz gloves and the fight was to be over 12 and not 15 rounds. Now it seems that history is repeating itself, Leonard and Mayweather are both great defensive fighters while Hagler and Pacquiao are both great offensive fighters. It’s been couple of years now since they started negotiating. Mayweather has so far demanded the Olympic-style random blood testing, higher purse(60/40 split), no pay per view money and even including his name to be mentioned first in the fight’s official banner and more recently, asked Pacquiao to remove Top Rank in the negotiation. But what does the all-time greats had to say about this fight?
Sugar Ray Leonard: “Speaking as a boxing fan, naturally I want to see that fight ? and I want to see it sooner rather than later. It won’t be the same if they leave it much longer. I think it’s a great fight and from a psychological standpoint I’d give Mayweather the edge, although I wouldn’t bet my house on it. That’s what makes that fight so significant and intriguing, because either man can win. It depends on who brings their A-game the night of the fight. Talent-wise they’re up there ? and they both deserve to be. It’s unfortunate, and it’s not their fault, that in their era they dominate and there’s no one else on the same level as them. They’re both very talented but I still won’t count out Bradley against Pacquiao, or Cotto against Mayweather. Put it this way, there is a lot of talent out there and neither Pacquiao or Mayweather can afford to fall asleep at the wheel.”
Marvin Hagler: ?Here?s a guy (Mayweather) that wants to dictate to another person and wants to tell you what he wants to do. I think Pacquiao is right… who are you? If you want to fight, let?s fight. Let?s stop all this nonsense.?
Tommy Hearns: ?I would say that it would be an awesome fight between the both of them, but I think that Floyd should win that fight, the way that Floyd is going to win is to out-box Manny Pacquiao and to make Manny Pacquiao fall apart, Manny Pacquiao comes to fight. That?s all he wants to do. But I think that the only way that Pacquiao could win is by knockout of Floyd. Mayweather is a very smart fighter in the ring. He feints well, and he punches pretty good. Mayweather is an excellent fighter, but Pacquiao is pretty good, as well”.
Evander Holyfield: ?For a smaller guy to come all the way up in weight, and beat bigger guys up to 154 pounds, it says a lot. He works hard in the gym and that is what pays dividends in the ring. He gets in the ring and takes care of business.
I don’t think that’s going to work(60/40 split). It’s not Floyd that will bring the crowd. What makes this fight bigger than life is the good and bad thing. When people see Pacquiao, they look at him as the good guy, they want to see him win morally.
These are the people that don’t like Mayweather, so what makes this fight big is the ultimate good and evil. It is surprising that two small guys like that can bring it out. It only happens once in a while. Just like Tommy Hearns and Duran, and Sugar Ray Leonard did. Pacquiao is expected to draw more people into a fight than Mayweather, which is why the latter doesn?t deserve the bigger cut of the pie”.
Mike Tyson: “Absolutely, I’m interested in seeing two equally competitive fighters fight. That’s going to be a fight, not no blowout . I just believe they’re going to have a fight at some time. If they don’t fight, that’s the question mark of their era. What happened?. They’re two fighters, they should be able to do what they want to do. We as fans want to see them fight, but if they’re not happy, not comfortable fighting, they should be entitled to do what they want. I want to see the guys fight, and they know we want to see them fight and are going to pay as much as they ask us to see them. Until it happens, we don’t know what’s going to happen. I don’t know what Floyd thinks about this situation, maybe this is his strategy. Maybe he’s waiting Pacquiao out. Who knows?. I think he’s awesome. He’s just a young guy, caught up in… this is a serious, vicious system that we’re in, this boxing business. And it’s just tough.” Tag Cloud Home Gym Work in home Home Work Air jordan shoes Work Home Personalized Gifts Making money through blogging Blog Posts Weight loss plan
Larry Holmes: “Pacquiao did all he can. He did all I would have done. I think Mayweather just got a little too scared if you ask me. If he thinks Pacquiao is taking drugs so what, he should just say: ‘You take it, you kill yourself that isn’t going to help you, because with my talent and ability I believe I can still beat you.’ But he was scared to take that challenge. “If they never fight it wont be Pacquiao’s fault. Every time they came round to fighting Mayweather put his excuses in.”
Roy Jones Jr.: ”Why would Arum want to match up Manny with an opponent where he doesn’t maximize his earnings? The fans want to see Manny fight Mayweather next, but as far as business sense, Arum is smart. It depends on who’s on their A game more that night. Whoever makes the most mistakes will probably lose the fight. Whoever executes their game-plan with the least amount of mistakes will probably win the fight.”
Lennox Lewis: “The thing that lacks with Floyd is that he would rather run around the ring and make you miss and dance around. It?s fine if you like that, but Pacquiao will break you down, break you down, break you down. He?s breaking you down to try to knock you out. He?s trying to impose his will on the person in there with him. It?s a minor difference, but that?s why I would have to say Pacquiao would win, because Pacquiao is trying to climb that hill each round, to get further and further, and do damage and knock you out. I would love to see that fight, but I think Manny would have that little edge”.
As for me, everybody is entitled to their own opinion, and sharing you opinion makes a topic so great to talk about.
