The fight everyone has been waiting for is just days away. The final press conference has been held and now it should be down to the two men in the ring, but sadly with boxing you never know.
In this instant we as fans should know who wins. Yet if there is not a knock out there could well be debate over the decision given by the judges. In a fight where Floyd Mayweather jnr will earn at least USD150million and Manny Pacquiao USD$100million, are not fight fans right to expect a clear cut result. Boxing has been plagued in the past by results that leave the fans dis-satisfied.
The most obvious bout would be the Marvellous Marvin Hagler v Sugar Ray Leonard in 1987. The result of that fight still divides fans as well as the two fighters almost 30 years later.
In 2012 Manny Pacquaio himself was on the end of a controversial split decision against American Tim Bradley, a defeat he later avenged. Mayweather’s victory over Miguel Cotto also in 2012 was thought to be controversial by many however on analysis, many of Cotto’s punches were taken on the arms by Mayweather and he probably did in fact shade that fight. However it shows how finite the margins are.
Pacquiao and Mayweather are considered the best pound for pound fighters of their generation, but the fact that this fight has taken more than five years to happen highlights the problems facing boxing. Champions avoiding the number one contender is not good for the sport and should never be allowed.
The modern day boxer argues he has strived long and hard to get to the top of the mountain and so when he gets there he deserves to stay there for a while and enjoy the view; and collect some easy money. Many fans disagree, and that is why they have left the sport in droves.
If you are the Champion you are obliged to face all challengers to show that you are worthy of holding that mantle. As many of the great boxers of the past have said “it is much harder to hold on to a World Championship than to win it.” Boxing is littered with fighters who won world titles and lost it within a year, but they still can say they were World Champions. That is why the likes of Marvin Hagler, Rocky Marciano and Azumah Nelson are true greats, as they fought all comers and held onto their titles.
Mayweather is a supreme fighter but his avoiding Pacquiao in his prime will haunt him the rest of his life even if he wins. Fight fans know that he did not want Pacquiao in the ring with him until he felt the time was right and his opponent was beatable. Many will say it was about the money, and to a degree it was, but Mayweather is a shrewd operator and a loss will put a huge dent in his future earning potential. Hence he needed to be sure that odds were stacked his favour.
Having made so many demands there are some who are already sceptical that if left to the judges the decision will be a foregone conclusion.
The terms of the agreement are believed to state that if Pacquiao wins he must give Mayweather a re-match. If Pacquiao does win it would be the perfect exclamation mark on an outstanding career. Why would he want a re-match? Yet if he avoids it he is likely to be sued by Mayweather for breach of contract and the sport will have to endure the circus that goes with that.
Many will tell you Pacquiao wants to proves a point, that he is there more for the honour of boxing than for the money, yet he needs the money. Tax debt in the Phillipines and his generous donations have meant that he really does not have the nest egg he should have at the end of such a glittering career. In a fight that is expected to shatter all sporting records and surpass revenues of USD$400million. He should be well set after this one.
Foreign rights to the fight sold for USD$35million. The pay-per-view record was USD$152million for Mayweather v Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, this fight is expected to earn USD$188million. Mayweather’s earnings from the fight will see him surpass Tiger Woods as the highest paid athlete in a year. Woods earned USD125million, as mentioned Mayweather is set to earn at least USD$150million.
The odds are stacked so heavily in favour of Mayweather, yet with that comes a massive burden. Pacquiao can be more relaxed, for once he is the underdog. Pacquiao has also already suffered defeat at the highest level so he knows that feeling, he has nothing to fear. Mayweather has yet to experience that feeling, and sometimes that fear of losing can be a bigger burden than the expectation of success.
George Foreman was an overwhelming favourite when he fought Muhammed Ali in “the Rumble in the Jungle.” Ali came out and took everything that Foreman had to throw at him, he taunted him, he frustrated him and then he knocked the Champion out. Foreman admitted that it was the low point in his career. He had believed he was the best, and that he could not be beaten. To lose was bad enough, but to be humiliated the way he was sent him into a deep depression.
Pacquiao has learned from his defeats. Especially the knockout against Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012. He is a different fighter now, defeat has made him wiser. With Freddie Roach in his corner, a coach he trusts implicitly, rest assured they will have come to Las Vegas with a plan. Pacquiao has built a career on his fast hands and fast feet, if he can use them on May 2nd get in close, offload and move for 12 rounds he may well upset the odds.
If he gets in a slugfest, or drops his guard he may well pay the price. This will be a very different fight, let us hope it is an epic, and let us hope the judges have no influence on the result.
Who will win? Most polls are divided, there are even some people who feel that knowing today what damage blows to the head can do to a person the fight should be boycotted, and those who watch should have it on their conscience if Mayweather or Pacquiao show ill effects in 20 years.
The truth is mankind has fought for centuries, and they will continue to do so. Boxing is the art of not getting hit by the other guy, as much as hitting him. The best fighters do not get hit that often, something both will be well aware of this weekend.
