It used to be back in the day where the Mexican fans and the Puerto Rican fans had their rivalry. It would be the Camacho fans taking their swipes at the Chavez fans back then. Now it’s transitioned from Mexico vs. Puerto Rico to Philippines vs. Mayweather Jr. Only this time around, from what this writer reads in the boxing forums, and the comments left on Examiner articles, the rivalry has turned ugly and down right hateful.
Floyd Mayweather Jr (love him or hate him) knows how to fight. He was brought up fighting and comes from a fight family. Floyd is undefeated, he’s never been defeated. He is a defensive genius, and times his punches like no other. He has power, and he is one of the smartest fighters in boxing. With that said, his choice of opponents, and his cocky personality has not won him many fans, especially those fans in the Philippines.
Read up Michael Marley’s latest on Mayweather here – http://http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-Boxing-Examiner~y2010m4d15-Modest-Mouse-Mayweather-Mans-not-alive-who-can-defeat-me
Manny Pacquiao has risen from nothing to global stardom through hard work, a great trainer, and by taking on all comers. He has defeated first ballot hall of fame warriors all the way to his current throne of pound for pound king.
When Mayweather dropped the mandatory blood test bomb on Pacquiao’s lap, it took a rivalry to a level of hatred that I have not seen in boxing since I have been covering the sport. Even here in Mississippi, the Mayweather fans and the Pacquiao fans really go at it in the sports bars when either guy fights. I have spoken with both sides, and the fans of both sides are passionate. Recently while covering the Mississippi Golden Gloves tournament in Pearl, MS, I listened to boxing coaches, and young amateur fighters all talking about the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight. A fight that never happened, but a fight that many still think will.
From what I am reading in today’s boxing forums, the anti Mayweather fans, (mostly Filipino), from what I can tell basically hate him. Of course not all of them do, but there is a growing level of hatred toward Mayweather as each day passes. In many of the forums, and on many Examiner articles in the comment section, there are more and more ugly and tasteless comments being left. I have read very racist comments that discriminate against Floyd’s skin color, and more and more of his detractors call him Gayweather instead of Mayweather. I have read Mayweather fans strike back with racist comments toward Filipino fans as well. It has really turned ugly, and the sport of boxing doesn’t need this kind of behavior.
Hopefully one day both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr can settle the score in the ring. It is a much better place to settle things. Leaving hateful, racist comments about Floyd Mayweather, or Manny Pacquiao is sad, and hurts the sport. It does nothing good for the sport of boxing, it only makes it look bad.
