Two weeks ago, Filipino Manny Pacquiao cemented his position as the most marveled fighter in the sport today by defeating Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto. Only months prior to that, Floyd Mayweather jr. reminded many why he was viewed as the most talented fighter in the sport prior to his 2 year hiatus.
With both men riding an ultimate high and a historical clash between them sitting in the backdrop, the complete focus and attention of everyone around the sport has diverted solely in their direction.
The sport of boxing has seen some epic battles over the years, but despite the magnetic vibe of fights like the “Thrilla in Manilla” or the “Rumble in the Jungle”, there’s no question, a showdown between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather jr. would be bigger than them all.
Never in the history of boxing, (or any sport, truthfully), have we seen the two best fighters in a particular era go head-to-head. There was always one great fighter against an amazing on, or one amazing fighter against an underdog who defied all odds, but not once have we seen the undisputed versus the undefeated…..until now!
In Manny Pacquiao, there are truly no dimensions of his game that lack. From his speedy combinations, to his thunderous powershots, to his his warrior spirit; there is simply no answer to this puzzle known to man.
In Floyd Mayweather, you have a defensive genius with an incredible encyclopedic mindset which has allowed him to fundamentally play chess against opponents who more often than not appear to be playing checkers.
As Las Vegas Boxing Examiner Chris Robinson acutely pointed out in a roundtable discussion between he, myself, and Indianapolis Boxing Examiner, (Dennis D-Source Guillermo), “Mayweather is a totally different puzzle to solve”.
When you break the two men down, there’s no question, both will find themselves in the ring against an opponent far greater than any they have ever matched. What adds more intrigue is that both men have figures in their corner who have yet to get it wrong.
In representing Manny Pacquiao, Freddie Roach has stated that this his pupil will “knock Mayweather out”. In representing Mayweather, Leonard Ellerbe has stated “this will be an easy fight for Floyd”.
This probably isn’t a good time to question perfection, but for the record, someone will be proven wrong, as only a stiff negotiations period separates the two P4P kings.
With Pacquiao dismantling highly credible welterweights and Mayweather being so dominant, the only certainty is that there will be no excuses. Further review sheds light on the fact that there will also be no competition, as this fight will easily show why the sport is alive and well.
Stay tuned as developments take place in the build-up to this historical event.
