Only fools and little children believe that Manny Pacquiao is going to fight Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 5. Only bigger fools and babies in bassinets believe that Floyd Mayweather Jr. is going to fight Manny Pacquaio three weeks later on May 26, less than a week before Mayweather has to check into a Las Vegas jail. So who will Mayweather fight and when? Who will Pacman fight and when? I’m as unsure as you are but I think a nice way to slice it is too look at what’s best for the key players involved. WHAT’S BEST FOR MAYWEATHER: Taking on Pacquiao and easily beating him so he can really label himself the King Of Ring Kings. His stint in the pokey won’t diminish his skills or his never out of shape condition so why is he so adamant about the May 5 date he is dictating and not content to let the Big Fight simmer until November? WHAT’S WORST FOR MAYWEATHER: It may seem like a slim possibility but getting K’O’d by Pacquiao would really put a crimp in the Mayweather legend. Fighting slow handed Canelo Alvarez on May 5 really doesn’t add any luster to his legend and lore, either. WHAT’S BEST FOR PACQUIAO: A June bout against someone he can shine against as it will pump up the Mayweather-Pacquiao jackpot even more so. Stylewise, I say the best choice is Lamont Peterson while others think Pacman would dazzle against Tim Bradley. Pacquiao needs one stirring effort to get the Marquez Trilogy Monkey off his back. WHAT’S WORST FOR PACQUIAO: Fighting Mayweather on May 5 because Floyd so dictates from his self-proclaimed throne. A battering of a Bradley or a Peterson would give Megamanny a good confidence boost going into the has to happen in November Mayweather Lollapalooza. Even worse than saying how high when “Money” says jump would be fighting Juan Ma a fourth time. They can fight 12 more 12-rounders and Pacquiao will never dominate. Juan Ma is the Ken Norton to Pacman’s Muhammad Ali. WHAT’S BEST FOR BOB ARUM: Making Miguel Cotto-Pacquiao II for June and then letting Floyd-Manny simmer until the autumn. Uncle Bob does not want the contractually free Puerto Rican roaming too deep on to the Golden Boy Reservation. WHAT’S WORST FOR BOB ARUM: Not making Cotto-Pacman II and seeing PPV power magnet Cotto get thick with the Goldens as he fights Canelo or someone else they offer up to the Boricua Bomber. WHAT’S BEST FOR FIGHT FANS: Forgetting about Floyd-Manny until they actually sign the bout contract. Until then, well step off, punks. ([email protected])
