“Ask not what your country can do for you rather ask what your country can do for Floyd Mayweather Jr.”–PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY, Inauguration, 1961.
“We have nothing to fear but fear of Manny Pacquiao itself.”–PRESIDENT FRANKLIN DELANO ROOSEVELT, 1941.
“My fellow Americans…” –Constant salutation of PRESDIENT LYNDON BAINES JOHNSON.
Now it’s my turn to rally every American because Mayweather has turned his lonely eyes to each and every one of us. I’ve ignored his previous bleating about how “crazy” is it that his fellow Americans have taken to given “praise” to this loathsome, foreign invader named Pacquiao and affectionately nicknamed Pacman.
But the price of liberty is going up while our patriotism remains inert.
Mayweweather, age 34 and with a withering career and a funky legacy, was sort of a Paul Revere in a radio interview with Carmen, Jurko and Harry on ESPN, Chicago, recently.
Unfortunately, the well-meaning hosts, who don’t seem to know a left hook from a fish hook and admit same, did not ask whether Mayweather demanded a $100 million purse to fight this Pacquiao character.
(I say this not to malign the radio hosts because they are exactly the type of casual fans who will make Mayweather-Pacquiao a goldmine.)
I, for one, believe that story was more poppycock, more putrid palaver from the mouth of my fellow American Bob Arum. But I digress.
Mayweather’s chief points on the air in the Windy City was how he finds it disgusting how America has taken to Pacquiao. It’s so crazy,” Mayweather said. “This is our country, a clean country. If he takes the tests (for drugs), then we got a fight.” You would think if he was attaching a $100 million purse demand along with his steady demand for random drug testing, Mayweather would’ve tossed that in but he did not.
Asked if the random testing was his only stipulation blocking the megafight, Mayweather actually sounded reasonable.
“Absolutely, if he takes the tests.”
Then Mayweather went back to his xenophobic rant.
“Like I said,” Mayweather said, rambling on, “a guy from another country can come into our country and get praised…it’s crazy.”
Most revealing was Mayweather’s remark, again nothing new here but worth noting and quoting, as to how he has no obligation to fight fans in general or “Money” fans in particular.
“When it’s all said and done, the fans don’t pay my bills, I do. The fans don’t put my kids through college, I do. My job is to save my family. I fight for Floyd Mayweather.”
While invoking self-interest and “the red, white and blue,” Mayweather threw some other low blows against the Pinoy Idol.
“He’s just a media creation,” Mayweather snapped. “For him to lose a fight would be normal, he’s lost three and been knocked out twice…For me to lose a fight would be abnormal.”
Mayweather then accused Pacquiao of being a copycat in his selection of opponents.
He mentioned De La Hoya, Hatton and Mosley.
I neglected Mayweather’s rallying cry in the past and I was so, so, so wrong.
Now I stand fourquare behind this Yankee Doddle Dandy, this great (just ask him) American, this patriotic pugilist.
Now I see what’s saying.
Let’s spend less time and money on Libya, on Afghanistan and these other war zones.
Let’s prioritize and repel the continuing Pacquaio invasion.
We don’t stop Manny now and our streets will be crawling with such charismatic, exciting and humble champions.
You, my fellow Americans, have only one choice.
You’re with me and with Mayweather or you’re against us.
Stand tall or sit small, it’s your choice.
My country, right or wrong, my Mayweather, right or wrong.
It’s that simple, you simpletons.
Mayweather is Paul Revere, circa 2011, only minus the trusty steed taking him to every village and town.
Wake up before it is, indeed, too late.
