Numerous well known figures from the boxing world have been talking about the possibility of a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao showdown in the near future.
The vast majority are saying that the fight needs to happen and that the amount of money the fight will generate is too great for either fighter to leave sitting on the table. Of course, that’s what they were saying last year after Pacquiao beat Miguel Cotto as well.
Everyone from Sugar Ray Leonard to Bob Arum have been making statements recently about the fight, but the fact remains that it isn’t any closer to actually being made.
Pacquiao is still campaigning for the elections in his native Philippines, where he looks set to become a member of congress. There have been mixed statements as to whether he will ever fight again. His promoter, trainer and the fighter himself have all said that he will fight again before the end of the year. At other times though he has said he is still talking things through with his mother, who believes he should retire to avoid injury.
Mayweather on the other hand is only one week removed from a dominant victory over Shane Mosley, and will probably not step foot back inside a ring for the best part of a year at least. Mayweather has also made it abundantly clear recently that he doesn’t fight for recognition or glory but for money, and for the time being he has plenty of it. He might well be broke again in a year, given his track record of spending, but for the time being he isn’t seriously thinking about his next fight.
Money is still a long way away from fighting again (AP Photo)
Both also have lucrative other options than fighting each other that will make them just as much money over several fights and wont have the downside of diminishing one of them.
Pacquiao still has the option of taking on his 8th weight class, as well as matches against Antonio Margarito to consider. Mayweather has been challenged by Paul Williams and there is talk of him facing middleweight champion Sergio Martinez in the future also. There are also numerous up and coming fighters at light welterweight who might soon have a big enough name to take on either.
Against each other they might make $40 million each. Choosing to take on some of their other options instead they might make $20 million per fight, and have less chance of being defeated at the same time.
Obviously the biggest problem is still the drug testing issue, and neither side is ready to compromise on anything just yet. Freddie Roach suggested the two sides meet in the middle over the testing demands, but the problem isn’t just the date itself. The problem is that neither side believes the motives of the other.
Mayweather claims he wants an even footing and wants to clean up the sport. Pacquiao believes the testing demands are merely a ploy and that Mayweather intends to use the testing to disrupt his training.
Pacquiao won’t agree to the testing because he felt weakened the last time he gave blood close to a fight, and feels it contributed to his loss to Erik Morales. Mayweather thinks this is just a way for Pacquiao to continue taking whatever drugs he wants with impunity.
Until one side can convince the other of their intentions, neither will make any headway into making the fight happen, despite what they might say and despite how much everyone wants to see it.
Daniel Fearon, Pittsburgh: “I still believe the fight will happen, one of them will eventually give in to the other. If Manny gets tested his lawsuit might be more realistic as well because he will be able to prove that the accusations were actually false”
Brendan Adams, Philly: ” I don’t even see why anyone wants to see this fight anyway, I think Martinez vs. Mayweather and Khan vs. Pacquiao are more interesting fights”
