The greatest fight that never happened might just actually happen.
Or will it?
Talks for what could be the most exciting and highest-paying fight in the history of boxing are back on. Of course I?m talking about the potential bought between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Apparently Pacquiao, an aspiring Philippine politician, is ready to turn his attention from campaigning to the ring. This will be his second bid for Congress in the Philippines, which might make him the most well-rounded fighter in the sport: Politician, actor, and singing sensation.
While the fighter doesn?t see these as distractions, he does object to Olympic-style drug testing — mainly the drawing of blood. This was the deal-breaker for the previous fight with the undefeated Mayweather. And then, of course, there was the onslaught of accusations that ensued.
The drug testing protocol that Mayweather demanded supposedly violated the superstitions of Pacquiao, whose last loss came after he had blood drawn. Of course the Mayweather camp suggested that it was because Pacquiao, who has transitioned weight classes flawlessly, was using PEDs. Trainer Freddie Roach and Pacquiao rebutted that, of course, and stated that Mayweather was just scared to put his undefeated record on the line.
As for the real reason this fight has yet to happen? The world may never know.
What we do know is that Roach is confident the fight will happen, saying it “probably [will be in] November, maybe October.”
And just like that, the rumors and anticipation are back on, but there are a few problems on the horizon. First, Mayweather has publicly stated (and overstated, if anyone watched HBO’s 24/7 leading up to his bout with Shane Mosley) that he wants to “clean up the sport … level the playing field.”
This means he?ll only compete in bouts subject to the most intense drug-testing protocol.
And with Mayweather still undefeated, it is truly his call. He has the most to lose — it?s his world, we?re just watching it. So while yes, many of us would love to see this fight, we should remain skeptical. If the most important fight in boxing, with money and the future of the sport on the line, is contingent upon one fighter relenting to something he holds so dear, then we may as well look forward to more important things, like the White Castle Candle.
Frankly, I?m with Mayweather on this one. There is too much on the line not to have the highest standards of integrity. It would be catastrophic for some scandal to drop years from now, realizing that the defining fight of this decade had one fighter with an unfair advantage.
So until I hear the “Let?s get ready to rumble,” I won?t believe this fight has any legs.
