THE theme sadly overshadowing a busy weekend of top-level action is the latest mind-numbing edition of the will-they-won?t-they Pacquiao-Mayweather soap opera. But at least the television viewer, while enduring the drawn-out storylines of a serial drama, can be content in the knowledge that a resolution to the mayhem will eventually evolve. Which may not be the case with Manny and Floyd.
Bob Arum confirmed over the weekend that there had been no answer from the Mayweather camp to the invitation to a November 13 date with the fearsome Filipino. The veteran promoter also divulged that he remains hopeful that the two will collide next year. What bothers me is the lack of public comment from either fighter. I have long been convinced the fight will happen. Now I?m not so sure.
A reason Arum put forward for ?Money?s” failure to respond was the trouble that Uncle Roger is in, and thus, he may not be in a position to work his nephew?s corner. Which is perfectly feasible. But wouldn?t you feel better if such reasoning had come from Floyd?s mouth. Has he ever said, convincingly, that he wants this fight?
It is not in Manny?s nature to call people out. It is certainly in Floyd?s. All the ludicrously gifted American?s recent quotes have been of the increasingly infuriating read-into-this-whatever-you-like-because-I-don?t-give-a-hoot variety. Pacman arguably seems the keener at this point to make the fight happen. But neither deserves any credit for this putrid mess.
So it seems we?re left with a Pacquiao v Margarito car crash to close out the year. Even if that turns into fight of the year, the bottom line is Antonio does not deserve to be earning a living from boxing. Let alone the life changing multi-million pound wallet-buster that standing opposite Manny will provide. His participation in such a massive fight after being caught cheating granite-handed, is despicable.
2010 seems destined to be a largely forgettable year for top-level fights and one wonders how much of that is down to waiting for the two best fighters on the planet to glove up and get it on.
If the fight cannot be arranged during the next inevitable round of ‘negotiations’ it should be shelved. Permanently. The utter confusion as to why this pair cannot just fight is draining the sport of respect. The casual fans are turning their attentions to other sports where it is quite simple to understand who the best is. In every other sport, the best compete against each other. They have to; otherwise the whole concept of competition becomes nonsensical. Boxing needs to take note.
Miscellaneous Meanderings
While Floyd and Manny are doing all they can to avoid each other, Timothy Bradley is doing all he can to stay busy. That?s the way it should be, too. This guy earns his money and carves out respect.
Suddenly, there?s a buzz around Zab Judah again. Watching him in full flow is a delight. He remains one of the most gifted offensive fighters out there. But unless Zab has had a brain transplant during his time away, I?d lay money on him losing the next time the going gets tough.
I?m sure I?m not the only one who secretly hoped that David Tua would one day get his act together, utilise his gifts and fulfil his potential. His 1996 19-second destruction of John Ruiz brought to mind Mike Tyson?s brutal hammering of Marvis Frazier 11 years prior. After being dumped on the deck by Monte Barrett at the weekend, I?m going to have to come to terms with the fact that I could have been wrong in picking Tuaman as the next dominant heavyweight king.
Thanks for reading.
