Do We Really Need A Third Fight?
Welcome back to the gift that keeps on giving, Tha Weatha Report. Today, we take a break from the NBA playoffs to talk about something else that has been on the mind of sports fans across the country. It is a topic that has caught the attention of even the most casual fan. An event that would generate $100 million for the two participants. Maybe you didn't read that last line right, so let me reiterate that point. This event would generate $100 MILLION for just TWO individuals. Of course, I'm talking about Floyd "Money" Mayweather Jr. and Manny "Pac-Man" Pacquiao. Before we talk about these two, let's talk about what these two men are doing to delay this fight.
Really Money? I Mean, Seriously?
Before I go any further, let me fully disclose that I am a huge Mayweather fan. In this blog, I will always disclose my "fandom", but unlike other blogs I will always do my best to keep it real and call it exactly down the middle. With that being said, I can honestly say that I'm disappointed in Mr. Money. Instead of staying relevant inside of the ring, Mayweather has decided to take his fights to the home front. Now normally I wouldn't comment on another man's domestic situation, but I think it needs to be said. Beating on your baby mama, allegedly, does not look good in the public eye nor is it acceptable behavior in our society. Nor is beating on security guards who don't treat you with the "proper" respect in your housing community. Instead of beating on women and guards, Mayweather needs to get his arrogant behind inside of the ring and do what he does best. There have been rumblings that Mayweather is going to shake off the ring rust and climb back in. That's right, Floyd Mayweather could be just a few months away from getting back into the ring, and against a former champion. That man? Paul Spadafora. Don't worry, I'll give you time to hit Wikipedia to find out who he is...
Ok, time's up. Rest assured, just how you are unexcited reading that Mayweather is fighting some guy who hasn't fought in 4 years and is past his prime, the rest of the country will feel the same way when it comes to paying for this fight. Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, and Andre Berto. What do those three men have in common? If you said possible Mayweather opponents with name recognition that would generate substantial interest, then you would be correct. Instead, we all will could be treated to months of hype about how the undefeated Mayweather is looking to become the first man to defeat an over the hill Paul Spadafora. Wake me up when it's over. Hopefully Mayweather and his camp come to their senses before we are all put to sleep on a Saturday night.
Not So Fast Mr. Pac-Man
So Pacquiao is off the hook right? To borrow a line from Mr. Lee Corso, not so fast my friend. Pacquiao hasn't exactly fought the best of the best over the last few fights. Joshua Clottey? Exactly. A worthless fight that proved absolutely nothing. Clottey just wanted to survive the fight without getting knocked down or out. At the end of the fight he was so happy to have stayed on his feet that he put his arms up in triumph when the 12th round bell rung. While that was fine for him and his bank account, no thanks to us boxing fans. Antonio Margarito? Ok, I'll give Pacquiao credit. Not because he beat a good fighter. Oh no, Margarito lost that status as soon as he was caught cheating with loaded gloves. Instead, most people were happy because Margarito got what was coming to him. We may cheat on a math test or even cut corners at work, but when it comes to cheating in the hallow halls of sports we as a society are personally offended. So good on Pacquiao for giving the cheater what most felt he deserved. What about Pacquiao's fight with "Sugar" Shane Mosley you ask? I think most boxing fans knew what was going to happen. This was the same Mosley that was basically shut out by Mayweather, save for a good punch here and there. Mosley pulled a Clottey during that fight. Just happy to make it the entire 12 rounds. Color me disappointed to say the least. So how does Pacquiao plan on following that boring fight up? With "giving the fans what they want" by fighting Juan Manuel Marquez. Yes, the fans wanted this fight......back in 2008. Not 2011. If this fight happens it will be the third and presumably final fight between the two. Let's take a look back shall we?
In 2004 Pacquiao and Marquez met for the first time, and by everyone's account it was a great fight. Pacquiao came out like a ball of fire and looked like it was going to be a short night when he dropped Marquez three times in the first round alone. However, I think what happened was that Marquez thought the fight was starting ten minutes later than it really was because the rest of the fight was back and forth. In the end, it was ruled a draw. Most people, myself included, think that Marquez really won the fight and was robbed of the victory. So of course this set up a sequel that happened a few months after right? Um, no. We fast forward 4 years to 2008 before the rematch happened. First off, it should not have taken all that time to get them back in the ring but that's for another Report. The 2008 fight was also a closely contested fight, that went Pacquiao's way via split decision. Many people still debate that fight even to this day. So now, three years later the people are supposed to be excited for this fight? Under normal circumstances, I would agree. But let's be honest here, this is not normal circumstances.
Normal circumstances would not have the richest fight in boxing history staring two mediocre fights right in their faces. Normal circumstances wouldn't include a Juan Manuel Marquez who was thoroughly defeated by Floyd Mayweather Jr. back in 2009. This is a letdown and everyone knows it, regardless of if we will hear Pacquiao or Mayweather say it. The fight would occur at a contract weight of 144lbs. That means that Marquez will be fighting at a weight that is 9lbs heavier than what he is used to. That may not sound like a lot, but to a boxer that is a massive amount of weight to put on and carry around. Oh, and add to the fact that Marquez has only fought at or around this weight one time in his career. Yes, you guessed it. It was the Mayweather fight, and we all saw what happened there. Do we really need a repeat? Are we supposed to believe that because of their previous two fights that this will be a close fight? Is that what the promoters are going to sell us on? Hey everyone, these two had a close fight 7 years ago and another close fight 3 years ago, of course they'll have another close fight. No thanks. We were fooled once with Joshua Clottey. Then we were fooled twice with Shane Mosley. What's the saying? Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice.....well, you know the rest.
The Weatha Forecast
So, do we really need a third Pacquiao vs Marquez fight? In a word, no. When will Pacquiao and Mayweather stop stringing us along as fans? We, as fans, have fed right into the no fight hype. We have been divided with camps that blame Mayweather and camps that blame Pacquiao. The fans need to unite and realize that the blame falls on both men. Between the disagreements on drug testing and disagreement on money, all of it is petty and should be settled. We, the fans, have been deprived long enough. It is time to settle the argument once and for all about who is the best pound for pound fighter in the world. Sadly, we have about as much chance of this happening as we have of Mosley getting another chance to pull a Clottey against Pacquiao again. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I wouldn't hold my breath.
No comments:
Post a Comment