Usually around this time of the year in the past five years, boxing forums would already be buzzing with Manny Pacquiao fans anxiously anticipating the 8-division world champ’s next fight. Not this year.
Instead, frustration and indifference have taken the place of excitement. Pacquiao has still yet to decide on who his next opponent will be, as his original November 10th fight date has been moved tentatively on December 8th.
A major reason for the lack of enthusiasm is the fact that the options being presented for Pacquiao are unwanted rehashes of his old fights. Thanks to the competence of Miguel Cotto’s camp who immediately eliminated the Boricua’s name from Pacquiao’s short list and his promoter’s smokescreen when they announced that they are fighting Austin Trout on December 1st, the choices have been narrowed down to a fourth fight with Juan Manuel Marquez and a rematch with Timothy Bradley.
Video: Roger and Floyd Mayweather talk about Manny Pacquiao fight
As of this writing, the frontrunner is Marquez, with the Mexican legend’s camp confirming that negotiations have escalated and that what’s left is Pacquiao’s John Hancock to seal the deal. Rumors surrounding negotiations have it that Pacquiao is reluctant to sign, as both camps still iron out the fight contract and the possibility of Pacquiao not fighting at all this winter in the horizon.
Such news usually warranted bedlam among the Filipino boxing faithful, but in the year 2012, Pacquiao is far from the boxer and the person he was in 2011 and years prior, while his fan base wander aimlessly in search for answers and what’s next for their favorite fighter. And instead of clamor to see Pacquiao fight again before the year ends, even his loyal fans are resigned to wanting to wait for 2013 to see him finally tangle with Floyd Mayweather, Jr., then risk losing to Marquez in a fight that few want to see anyway.
“Any other fight apart from Floyd does nothing for his (Pacquiao) legacy,” wrote reader Petar Djukic on the subject. “Tired of Top Prank (sic) rehash. If not floyd, don’t fight at all…” commented Matthew del Rosario. (CLICK HERE to join the discussion)
The overwhelming sentiment is clear: “Fight Mayweather or retire.” More fans have finally sensed my written observations at Pacquiao’s last few camps. The same fire that made him the exceptional boxer and performer, is no longer there. With his legacy intact after accomplishing all the feats any boxer can dream of and receiving countless of accolades for his pugilistic brilliance, all that’s left is the one fight that might actually bring that old fire back. The one fight boxing fans truly want to see: Pacquiao vs. Mayweather.
Will 2013 finally be the year it happens? If not, then never.
