The clash of the titans. The ultimate dream match of the century. Time & time again these two demigods of boxing have been so close to crossing each other's paths in the ring. And countless times as well have been thwarted by unsuccessful negotiations. So, that leaves us followers to ponder endlessly: Will there ever be such a squareoff between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr.?
People's Hero
Widely renown as the 'Pacman' & considered the number one pound for pound boxer in the world, having recently accomplished a historical feat by claiming seven world titles in different weight divisions, The humble, soft spoken Manny Pacquiao serves as the primary driving force & inspiration of millions of Filipinos especially during turbulent times. Often the underdog in the ring, he proved skeptics wrong as the little man of General Santos City moved rapidly up the weight division (He started out at 106lb) out classing larger than life foes, his 3 most previous victims being 'The Golden Boy' Oscar De La Hoya, a mind boggling KO over the 'Hitman' Ricky Hatton & A 12-round TKO against his toughest opponent to date, Miguel Cotto.
Manny Pacquiao is currently the WBO welterweight world champion, IBO & Ring Magazine's light welterweight champion, former WBC lightweight world champion, IBF super bantamweight world champion & WBC former flyweight world champion. Furthermore, he is the former Ring Magazine featherweight & super featherweight champion. A natural southpaw, Pacquiao displays a mean left hook but never, i mean never take his right hand for granted.
Pretty Boy
The son of a former welterweight contender from Grand Rapids Michigan, given the popular monicker 'Pretty boy' by his amateur teammates because he had relativley few scars, The classy Floyd Mayweather Jr. remains undefeated with 40 wins including 25 by knockout in 5 different weight divisions & six world championships. He is currently ranked number 2 pound for pound fighter & is Ring Magazine's fighter of tne year in 1998 and 2007. Mayweather has tremendous speed & displays a unique defensive technique which utilizes the 'shoulder roll' wherein the lead shoulder is raised high on the cheek in order to cover the chin & block punches. An olympic medalist as well, 'Pretty boy' bagged the bronze in the 1996 olympics event held in Atlanta within the featherweight division.
He is the former WBC Welterweight champion, a title he vacated upon his retirement. An orthodox fighter, Mayweather is definitely a powerhouse opponent for 'Pacman' inthe ring.
Hindrances, hindrances
It's a global cry right now & those chants continue to echo everywhere, pleading for that one, breathtaking showdown. Or will it all lead up to that agonizing phrase...dream on, baby!
So what gives?
Well, you have this ongoing, overused hype about both parties grappling over a bigger slice of the pie which is now rumored at an $80 million worth of a super fight disclosing possibilities of a 50-50 split deal. Team Pacquio & Pretty Boy's camp refuse to give in with reasonable demands that one deserves top bill over the other. I mean, considering the status of these two mega superstars, who wouldn't?
But that used to be the case.
Politics. Despite Top Rank promoter Bob Arum & Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer's endless negotiations, this would have to come to an unforeseen halt. Confirmed reports state that The 'pacman' have decided to put on his gloves and step into the political arena, opting to run for congress in the Philippine province of Sarangani. Now whether sources predict a Pacquiao victory in the upcoming elections, Bob Arum says that there wasn't much to talk about regarding negotiation updates, following this scenario. And that his boy would have to fight someone else.
Fight someone else? If worse comes to worse, Pacquiao will have to settle for another opponent & an aspiring prospect is WBA super welterweight supreme Yuri Foreman in 2010. But then again,that is another weight division. Yet, also a crack at an unprecedented 8th division crown.
So, with all the hassles here & there, this could go on forever between Pacquiao & Mayweather. Or it may never exist. I don't know, what do you think?
