Pacquiao versus Margarito is a major disappointment to fans who want nothing less than Pacquiao versus Mayweather.
Tungod, Inabanga, Bohol ? Neither Manny ?Pacman? Pacquiao nor Antonio ?Loaded Hands? Margarito has signed the dotted lines for their planned November title showdown yet? but by the looks of it, both camps seem to have agreed on getting the fight done. Apart from Top Rank boss Bob Arum and Team Margarito, the rest of the boxing world appears to be less excited about this scheduled engagement. Arum, having both pugs under his promotional umbrella, racks up all the money, while Margarito gets the chance of finally stopping the dreaded Mexicutioner, not to mention the huge amount of dough he?ll receive for merely trying. Even so, boxing pundits and fans alike are despondent with these developments? all because of one man ? undefeated ?Pretty Boy? Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
Had Mayweather agreed to the terms he himself set, the boxing world would have been feasting on the highly anticipated and eagerly wanted faceoff between two of the sport?s top dogs. It would have been a major boost for boxing, as the bout would involve the sport?s biggest names and would determine once and for all the alpha male of this generation. It might be recalled that the Mayweather camp demanded strict drug testing rules and then later on expressed desire for a larger piece of the revenue pie. Pacquiao didn?t want to give in to Mayweather?s demands but eventually said yes. The fire-breathing Pinoy boxing icon called what now seem?s more than ever to be a huge Mayweather bluff. Floyd, opting not to fight Pacquiao, just confirmed the popular notion that he never really wanted to trade mitts with arguably the true pound for pound king. That thing is settled now, barring any last minute pronouncements from Team Mayweather. The only thing that needs to be settled is Mayweather?s true reason for his decision. Is he a coward or is he just protecting his investment?
I?m not one who would accuse someone, much less, a boxer of cowardice. The fact alone that he chose this kind of profession, where he is going to face someone who has nothing else in mind but to hurt him, is more than enough proof of one?s courage. If it isn?t so, then I don?t know what is.
This leaves us with most probably Floyd?s true reason for not getting the megafight done. He is just protecting his investment ? his undefeated status. Deep down inside he believes that by facing Pacquiao, his flawless record, something he treasures and brags about more than anything, is in deep trouble. His entire empire and boxing career revolves around that aura of false invincibility and he would rather leave the rest of us in the ?what if? stages of exploration, taking all the criticisms thrown his way, than take all the praises for his gallantry in facing the greatest threat to his self-built persona? all because of a former flyweight from the remote city of General Santos by way of Saranggani Province. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is much more of a businessman than a boxer. That?s all there is to it.
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