After years of waiting, we are finally going to be treated to the fight that every boxing fan has been waiting for. With the cheapest tickets coming in at just under $5000, it?s already being dubbed the fight of the century. If Mayweather wins he will be known as the greatest fighter of all time, won?t he? The greatest of his generation at the very least?
Well, actually, whatever the result on May 2nd, Manny Pacquiao will in my opinion be the greatest fighter of our generation, and here?s why?
Mayweather seems to be under the illusion that by being undefeated he is greater than anyone who ever lost a fight. I won?t bore you with a list of all the great fighters that have at least one defeat to their name, but would you put Joe Calzaghe in the same bracket as the likes of Mike Tyson, Sugar Ray Robinson or even Muhammed Ali? Not a chance. The way to become one of the greatest fighters of all time is by being involved in exciting, memorable fights. Pacquiao may not be as technically sound or as tactically smart as Mayweather, but I remember far more of his fights than I do Mayweather?s.
In fact, the Mayweather fight I remember more clearly than any other, with the exception of the Hatton bout, is when he knocked out Victor Ortiz, who had his guard down as he apologised. Admittedly he was apologising for a headbutt, but nonetheless it was a cheap and desperate win – the type of win that a true legend of any sport would prefer not to have to their name.
Pacquiao may have been beaten five times, but his fights against Marquez and Bradley were entertaining, explosive and dramatic. That will be his legacy.
Mayweather?s legacy? The richest man in sport. Undefeated. Exciting? Explosive? Not for me.
This does not change if Mayweather fights a smart fight against Pacquiao and wins on points, there will always be questions as to why the fight didn?t happen earlier, and what would have happened if it did. If it is a classic blow-for-blow bout where both men go all out for the win, perhaps Mayweather?s reputation will transform from good winner to legendary boxer. If the two fight at least once more after and produce a memorable series of fights, both will go down as true greats of the sport.
Pacquiao will always be greater in my eyes though, and I hope it shows on May 2nd.
