By: Garett R. Nadrich
Let me start this off by saying that my favorite fighter is Miguel Cotto and has been for some time. So if you refer to me as a “Floydiot” in your comments, you clearly haven’t read this column in its entirety. With that being said, The Grinch Who Stole Boxing (who is me of course) is here to dispell the delusional fantasy about what’s expected of the Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquaio megafight.
Photo Credit : Chris Farina – Top Rank
For those of you who have been watching boxing for more than two weeks of your life and can logically separate emotion from common sense, you’re able to determine that Floyd Mayweather is the pound-for-pound king of boxing. Try your best to mentally separate his unmatched skill and ring intelligence from his boastful mouth. Try to paint a clear picture of a man, regardless of the selection of opponent, has entered the ring 43 times and has never been knocked down.
This same man who was known for not going toe-to-toe and hitting and running decided to go toe-to-toe with my favorite boxer, Miguel Cotto. Unless you live in Antarctica, if you’re reading a boxing column, then you clearly known who outclassed who at their own game. Yes, Floyd Mayweather. SO now the hype begins again. Boxing fans worldwide think, “Man… this would be the best fight ever. Manny Pacquaio and Floyd Mayweather will slug it out to the death, but Floyd is too scared to fight him.”
PHOTO: Gene Blevins/Hogan Photos
LOL. Floyd Mayweather is scared. That’s an oxymoron if I’ve ever seen one.
Sadly, I’ve observed a separation in the generational beliefs of boxing fanatics nowadays. There are many who witnessed the Alis, Fraziers and Tysons fight their way to the top out of sheer legacy, manhood and glory.
I’m sad to inform you that there’s a reason Floyd’s moniker is “Money Mayweather.” It’s because he is comfortable with his legacy and he only cares about the money. In addition, I think us 9 to 5ers don’t have a reason to judge a wealthy man who’s been able to fight 43 men victoriously and is so evasive that we’ll most likely never see the negative long-term effects of boxing (e.g. Muhammad Ali) affect him. He should be given credit for this. Not hated for it.
But if you’re a hater, you think that Manny “The Man Who Most of the Public Never Knew Existed Five Years Ago” Pacquaio deserves a 50/50 split for the megafight. First off, Floyd Mayweather is the Pay-Per-View king as well, whether the public wants to admit it or not. He just pulled in a record 1.5 million buys last week in his match against Miguel Cotto.
Next month, Manny “The Legend?” Pacquaio faces Timothy “Very Overrated” Bradley. I doubt he will even pull in a million PPV buys for this fight. You doubt it as well.
So Floyd, being “Money Mayweather” knows that he can fight ANYONE and pull in guaranteed purses of over $30 million and break Pay-Per-View records. Who is the real draw here? I, for one would not split this fight 50/50. I think 70/30 is more like it. Granted, Manny Pacquaio is a skilled fighter and all, but I can’t agree with a guy who’s known for flooring Ricky “LOL” Hatton and destroying a 90-year old Oscar Delahoya (after Mayweather beat both) getting half of the proceeds. The draw should make the most money. Simon Cowell didn’t split his American Idol proceeds with Paula Abdul.
In addition, Floyd Mayweather is the best at adjusting to his opponent in the business. He gave the crowd what they wanted to see in his bout against Miguel Cotto. He took risks and fought my favorite boxer like a man. Unfortunately, my favorite boxer left the ring after the bout like a coward and dodged post- fight interviews.
What will happen if Manny Pacquaio ever deflates his political ego and accepts a lower purse is that Floyd Mayweather will realize that he is close to 40 years old and does not want to get his head bashed in when he’s already in a position to retire victoriously. He will train defensively and will hit and run against Pacquaio and wind up winning by decision. Again, let’s be logical here. Floyd is out to win and get paid. Floyd can win by strategically hitting and running all night. If you watched Pacquaio vs. Mosely, Manny isn’t the greatest cat and mouse fighter. He likes to go toe-to-toe and those who dodge him all night get him frustrated.
So this megafight that has been talked about forever will result in a Mayweather victory and one of the most boring fights of all time.
When Mayweather raises his gloves in victory and smiles against the roar of boos in the crowd…
You’ll still hate him.
