Viewed as the premier fighters of their generation, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao have yet to square off in the ring. When negotiations begin, they seem to break down soon thereafter, preventing what is sure to be a fight for the ages, but what if they managed to put their differences aside and finally give sports fans what they have always desired? THE SPORTS DISPENCER analyzes what could be in this week’s edition of What If.
Return of Boxing
Over the past decade, professional boxing has faced a steady and continued decline. As competition by UFC in the Pay-Per-View market increases, boxing’s viewership is carried by a select group of prominent fighters. Among them stand Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, two top-tier boxers who reel in millions annually while spreading the sport’s notoriety. Tremendous public demand for a bout between the two has emerged as their success continues to spread, but they have yet to enter the ring. If Mayweather and Pacquiao went toe-to-toe, it would generate enormous publicity for the sport. Experts predict the fight would shatter Pay-Per-View records and play an important role in boxing’s resurgence.
Legacy of Pacquiao
Long regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the sport, Manny is the only eight-division world champion in history. His versatility and resilience helped the Filipino legend garner the Boxing Writers Association of America’s honor of “Fighter of the Decade.” With a career record of 54-3-2, Pacquiao has nothing left to do to cement his legacy. Historically speaking, little can be done to affect his career positively or negatively. After losing three of his last four, Muhammad Ali still is remembered as history’s greatest fighter, so dropping a few matches to lesser opponents will not alter are remembrance of Pacquiao’s long storied career.
The one thing Manny does lack is a win against the decade’s other top-notch fighter. At this point in his career, Pacquiao has little to lose. A fight against Mayweather is a win-win scenario. A loss can be chalked up to age, and a win elevates Manny to an elite class of boxing’s all-time greats.
Legacy of Mayweather
Also looked upon as one of the sport’s best pound-for pound-boxers, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. possesses one mark that Pacquiao does not — an undefeated record. In 43 contests, Mayweather has 26 KOs, zero draws, and zero losses. He has built his career upon perfection, and his legacy hinges on it. Thus far, he has been unwilling to risk that perfection on a bout with Pacquiao.
He accuses the Filipino legend of using performance-enhancing drugs, and because of this, Floyd will not risk his health on a fight. Many have criticized Mayweather for ducking a fight with Pacquiao, including former heavyweight champion Larry Holmes, who remarked, “If they never fight, it won’t be Pacquiao’s fault. Every time they came round to fighting Mayweather put his excuses in.” To which Mayweather responds, “This is how the world is, you get writers saying, ‘Floyd is scared.’ No, Floyd cares about his family. Floyd is smart.”
If Mayweather were to fight Pacquiao, it would prove his fearlessness as a fighter. He would silence the doubters while proving his tenacity. A loss may tarnish his perfect record, but a win would remove the asterisk surrounding his career and establish him as the generation’s greatest boxer.
* Photos Courtesy of All Sports Everything, HBO, The Inquistr
What do you think? Anything we missed? Any other What If Wednesday suggestions? Comment below and let the discussion begin.
THE SPORTS DISPENCER 