MANILA, Philippines – Now that Antonio Margarito is history, the world?s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter Manny Pacquiao will no doubt set his sights on a mega-buck showdown with Floyd (Money) Mayweather in what could be the biggest pay-per-view seller in boxing ever.
In a post-fight media conference, the Filipino champ said retirement was far from his mind but wouldn?t commit on a megabuck fight with Mayweather, saying he would leave the decision on who?ll be his next opponent to promoter Bob Arum.
Mayweather, 33, used to be the world?s No. 1 pound-for-pound fighter until he retired after stopping Ricky Hatton in the 10th round in December 2007. Pretty Boy Floyd has since come back to win two in a row but most experts now recognize Pacquiao as the man on top of the heap. Ring Magazine, the so-called ?Bible of Boxing,? ranks Pacquiao No. 1 but the popular website boxrec.com lists Mayweather at the head of the ladder.
The only way to find out who?s the No. 1 fighter is to settle it in the ring. It?s to resolve the issue of superiority once and for all. The fact that both stars are within the same weight division makes the fight a natural. Mayweather tipped the scales at 146 pounds in his win over Sugar Shane Mosley last May while Pacquiao weighed in at 144.6 pounds for Margarito.
Twice, Pacquiao?s camp tried to fix an appointment with Mayweather but ?Money? backed out, citing reasons from a suspicion that the Filipino is using performance-enhancing drugs to a demand for Olympic-style blood testing which is unheard of in professional boxing.
Pacquiao?s trainer Freddie Roach said Mayweather?s refusal is traced to being afraid of losing. ?Mayweather likes to compare himself with guys like Sugar Ray Robinson and in his own little mind, he thinks he?s the greatest,? said Roach. ?His biggest argument for being the best is nobody?s beaten him. If he loses, Mayweather no longer has a case for being the greatest.?
Since turning pro in 1996, Mayweather has compiled a perfect 41-0 record, with 25 KOs. The speculation is he?s on a downhill spiral and that?s why he?s avoiding a fight where the chances are slim to win. Five of Mayweather?s last six fights went the distance and the only exception was the Hatton bout which extended to 10 rounds. In contrast, Hatton was disposed of by Pacquiao in two.
Mayweather has figured in only six fights in the last five years, compared to 12 for Pacquiao. He has won five titles in different classes ? superfeatherweight, lightweight, lightwelterweight, welterweight and superwelterweight. Pacquiao has captured a record eight in as many divisions.
Mayweather wants to retire unbeaten. ?I can?t handle losing,? he said, quoted by KO Magazine in 1999. ?If I ever did lose, and God forbid it to happen, I would come back like a true champion. But every time I go into a fight, I go into it like it?s my last fight.?
Mayweather?s heart isn?t quite as big as Pacquiao?s. His philosophy isn?t as inspiring. ?I know (boxing) is a business,? he said. ?I?m trying to fight whoever will be the easiest and pay the most. Don?t get me wrong. I?m still willing to fight the best. I fight according to my competition. If I fight a champion, you?ll see the champion come out in me. If I fight a guy that?s a contender, you might not see the best of Floyd Mayweather that night. But I will guarantee you a victory because I?ll do what I got to do win.?
Pacquiao poses a clear threat to Mayweather?s goal of staying undefeated. But with the habit of living on the fast lane and legal issues hounding him, Mayweather realizes he?ll need Pacquiao to keep the cash register ringing. Inevitably, the fight will happen. And a source recently disclosed that parties close to Pacquiao and Mayweather are talking of a trilogy to start in May next year.
?It?s the fight everyone wants to see,? said Roach. ?When they finally meet, I think it?ll be the toughest fight in Manny?s career. Mayweather will pose the biggest challenger for Manny. He?s a good counter-puncher. If you just walk into his offense, he?ll eat you up. Manny has to be very scientific to beat him. Mayweather?s not a volume puncher. He averages about 15 punches a round compared to Manny?s 80 but still manages to win. In the end, Manny will beat him, no matter how good Mayweather is.?
