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Philippines, 10 May 2025 |
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A DECEMBER TO REMEMBER By Greg R. Penilla, M.D. PhilBoxing.com Thu, 19 Jan 2012  I am very much surprised that so many intelligent people including so-called "well-respected" sportswriters and even a judge for that matter, are so naive to believe hook, line and sinker that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. had actually considered fighting Manny Pacquiao on Cinco de Mayo. Mega million dollars at stake being negotiated through Tweets, yeah right! But if I were advising Manny Pacquiao, I would definitely call the bluff. Give credit to Floyd Jr for being the ultimate and savvy media (and legal system) manipulator. He and his lawyers had intended (and fooled lots of folks) that the May 5th "Mega Fight" MGM reservation (with no opponent) was simply a clever ploy, arranged in anticipation for contingencies for a planned guilty plea. When Floyd Mayweather, Jr. announced that he would fight on May 5th, just days before the November fight between Manny Pacquiao and Juan Manuel Marquez, he not only effectively caused the media to pay some attention on him during a time when the boxing world was focused and obsessed with Manny Pacquiao, Manny Pacquiao and Manny Pacquiao, but also created a perception that he was ready to mix it up with the fighting Congressman from the Philippines. At that time, I strongly believed, and many would agree (and disagree) with me, that it was never Manny Pacquiao whom Money May was eyeing to be his dance partner in the ring. Although Manny Pacquiao's relative difficulty with Juan Manuel Marquez, a boxer whom Floyd Mayweather Jr had an easy time demolishing, emboldened Money Mayweather, the May 5th fight was never meant for a Manny-Money Mega Fight as some quarters would want to believe. It was simply a brilliant marketing ploy for his own future fight. It was an ingenious design hatched by Team Floyd Jr to benefit him legally, financially and mentally. It was nothing but a stroke of genius just like when he accused Manny of being on Performance Enhancing Drugs. Love Floyd Jr or hate him, he comes up with extraordinary schemes in and out of the ring which advance him personally. That, nobody can deny. Will there be a Money-Manny Fight in the future? Probably yes, but absolutely not on May 5th. Even Floyd Jr himself knows that from the start. Before Juan Manuel Marquez befuddled Manny Pacquiao, the chances of having the fight to go through was between nada and zilch. But post, Manny-JMM, the possibility suddenly became a palatable reality. The close fight between JMM and Pacquiao effectively gave Floyd Jr the necessary psychological advantage, an edge that had eluded Junior when Pacquaio was a violent pacific typhoon wrecking havoc and leaving a trail of vanquished future Hall of Famers On paper, a faster, bigger, more athletic and better counterpuncher like Mayweather Jr would feast on Pacquiao who was perceived to have lost step or two. This perception makes the fight closer to fruition. Fortunately, fights are made on the ring and not on paper. A December To Remember Mega Fight is not just wishful thinking on the part of many boxing fans like me but also a more realistic possibility. After Floyd Jr takes care of Canelo Alvarez on Cinco de Mayo and Manny Pacquiao again dispatches Miguel Cotto in early June, the stage will be set and the stars will all be aligned for the most anticipated and richest boxing fight in history in early December. By early August, Floyd Jr would have been released from Jail and paid his dues to society. Way before late November, a 50,000 seat temporary arena would have been built across the Wynn Resort and Casino. By early fall, the boxing world would be in a frenzy while the betting world would have Floyd Jr an overwhelming favorite over Pacquiao, just like in December 2008 when Manny Pacquiao was prohibitive underdog against another boxing superstar, the Golden Boy himself, Oscar de la Hoya. We all know that in December 2008, a little known boxer from the Philippines, who started his boxing career as a malnourished 106 pounder, shocked the world and shot up to the stratosphere of boxing superstardom when he not only defeated The Face Of Boxing, Oscar de la Hoya, but also crushed him to quit on his stool. Will there be another December to Remember? For a boxing fan it does not hurt to dream. The only question now is; will Manny and Money get rid of all their differences and let this once in a lifetime event happen for the fans? We all hope so. Will it happen? Probably not. It will be a shame. Click here to view a list of other articles written by Greg R. Penilla, M.D..  |
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