One of TMZ?s intrepid reporters, who can best be described as pre-verbal, managed to get the actor?s attention?
As freighted with significance as the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao already is, some people are piling on expectations by making it the fight to save boxing.
Whether or not boxing needs to be saved is open to debate. What is not open to debate is that Mayweather-Pacquiao had better deliver, and having a stacked undercard, for starters, will help.
One of those caught up in the save boxing meme is Mark Wahlberg, at least according to TMZ Sports. The actor best known in boxing circles for his affecting portrayal of Micky Ward in ?The Fighter? has several other distinguished roles to his credit. He even has a mansion to prove it. Wahlberg?s range may be limited. His love of the fight game is not.
Wahlberg was exiting an LA restaurant when one of TMZ?s reporters, who can best be described as pre-verbal, managed to get the actor?s attention.
?Hey Mark,? he said, ?one question, man. I know you did ?The Fighter.? I?m curious. The deals are signed, Mayweather and Pacquiao. Who ya got, bro??
Moving as quickly as possible to avoid the paparazzi, Wahlberg said, ?The most important thing is that all the boxing fans, from all over the world, have got what they wanted. You know what? It?s so important for the sport. It?s going to regenerate the sport, and hopefully next time any great athlete who thinks about going into MMA or any other sport will say, ?You know what? I can still make a much bigger splash in the boxing world.? And I?m just glad it came together.?
?Well, I?m glad ?The Fighter? came to together, bro, you know.?
?Hey,? said Wahlberg, ?I like ?em both.?
?Who would you put your money on, Mark? I?ve gotta ask, bro. If Vegas said we need to make a bet, who?d you got??
?I can?t share that information now. Everybody knows how I feel.?
I?m not sure I know how Wahlberg feels, about who will win the fight, or about TMZ?s misleading title, ?Mark Wahlberg?Mayweather vs. Pacquiao Can Save Boxing.?
Assuming for the sake of argument that boxing needs to be saved, it?s unlikely that Mayweather vs. Pacquiao will be the fight to do it. The zillions of dollars it generates is one thing. Saving the sport is another.
But for those who are seeking a savior for that which doesn?t need to be saved, all is not lost.
Consider Al Haymon.
