Lately, tongues have been flapping over the botched negotiations to bring Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao together in the ring to settle the dispute of who is the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world. The trouble started when Mayweather’s camp publicly accused Pacquiao of doping his way to the top of the boxing ranks by using steroids. Mayweather’s camp then insisted that both fighters undergo random Olympic style blood testing as a requirement leading up to the bout. Pacquaio and his handlers declined, but said they would be willing to except a less stringent process of blood testing. To date with only two months left before the scheduled fight there is still no agreement in place. Fans and members from both camps have been endlessly accusing the other side of cowering and ruining the dream match. Subsequently, Pacquaio has filed a law suit against Mayweather Jr. and Golden Boy Production for defiling is reputation, and Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter, is supposedly involved in new negotiations to find Pacman an alternative opponent to fight this coming March.
If there is anyone in doubt that this fight will take place, don’t be. Despite the power tripping on both sides of the fence, and threats of lawsuits, these two fighters need each other for $200,000,000 reasons. That is my estimated sum that a showdown between these two fighters would generate. Neither Bob Arum nor Golden Boy Productions is going to be able to garner that amount of money pairing any other two fighters in the ring. They know it, I know it, and so does anyone that knows anything about boxing.
Secondly, Pacquaio has eluded that he will end his boxing career after his next match. If he fights anyone other than Mayweather, it will be a very lack luster and unmemorable finish. Although he will still leave an impressionable mark on boxing history, the question of was he the best pound-for-pound boxer of all-time will loom over him like a reoccurring nightmare.
Last, neither Mayweather nor Pacquaio has said that they aren’t willing to fight the other for the keys to throne. So I expect a public announcement will be made any day saying that the two sides have reached an agreement, and then the entire boxing world can simultaneously sigh in relief.
If there is anyone in doubt that this fight will take place, don’t be. Despite the power tripping on both sides of the fence, and threats of lawsuits, these two fighters need each other for $200,000,000 reasons. That is my estimated sum that a showdown between these two fighters would generate. Neither Bob Arum nor Golden Boy Productions is going to be able to garner that amount of money pairing any other two fighters in the ring. They know it, I know it, and so does anyone that knows anything about boxing.
Secondly, Pacquaio has eluded that he will end his boxing career after his next match. If he fights anyone other than Mayweather, it will be a very lack luster and unmemorable finish. Although he will still leave an impressionable mark on boxing history, the question of was he the best pound-for-pound boxer of all-time will loom over him like a reoccurring nightmare.
Last, neither Mayweather nor Pacquaio has said that they aren’t willing to fight the other for the keys to throne. So I expect a public announcement will be made any day saying that the two sides have reached an agreement, and then the entire boxing world can simultaneously sigh in relief.
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