By Superstar Billy Graham
From the latest news concerning the megabout with Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather, it is beginning to look like the fight we’re all begging, praying, wishing, and aching for may not happen.
It is a possibility certain moves by the Pacquiao camp suggesting Floyd has already made his decision not to take this fight but gave Floyd an additional 2 weeks to contemplate his decision and hope Floyd has second thoughts.
The Superstar will honestly say “it is a hunch” but reading between the lines. Floyd Jr’s constant bravado, saying he is “The Face of Boxing”, must step up, believe and exercise those words.
Boxing had many fighters who were “The Face of Boxing.” From “Gentleman” Jim Corbett, Jack Dempsey, Jack Johnson, Gene Tunney, Sugar Ray Robinson, Floyd Patterson, Muhammad Ali, Larry Holmes, Sugar Ray Leonard, Robert Duran, Roy Jones Jr etc. The common denominator among those great legendary fighters, they all fought the best of their division. Their boxing resume’s are unquestionable and impressive. They were clearly at their time “The Face of Boxing”.
So where does Floyd Jr belong among “The Face of Boxing” greats? As of right now, Floyd Jr’s self proclaim “Floyd Mayweather Jr is The Face of Boxing” is just it, self proclamation. Does he deserve this moniker? A few years ago, it was unarguably, the moniker “The Face of Boxing” is indeed Floyd Mayweather Jr. But Floyd’s recent choice of fights and self imposed retirement, Floyd Jr involuntary relinquished the moniker “The Face of Boxing”. Has it now befallen to Manny Pacquiao? At the moment The Superstar has to say yes.
Floyd Mayweather Jr just recently made an announcement he will retire from boxing for at least 2 years. Floyd Jr’s reason for retiring is too focus on his gym and The Floyd Mayweather Foundation. As noble as this may sound, this is not enough to delay the biggest fight in decades.
As The Superstar has pointed out before, Manny Pacquiao is now a Congressman of his province. That is a daunting task. Responsibilities not just for his constituents but the citizens of his province. And to add, Manny has an ambition to build hospitals and schools to his province, changing the whole landscape of Sarangani. More likely using his own money made from boxing. We all know, Manny is resting the Philippines on his shoulders. So who’s plate is more full? “The Face of Boxing” makes things happen for the sake of boxing.
It is clear Manny is doing his best trying to make this fight happen, even allowing himself to be subjected to Olympic Style Drug Testing up to 14 days, and unlimited urine testing up to the fight. And there will be a blood test after the fight. The purse is a fair 50/50 split, because they both need each other. Manny is not Mosley, Hatton, or Marquez. Manny is the only fighter in boxing that is a bonafide top PPV attraction.
Manny Pacquiao has transcended a popularity that hasn’t been seen since Muhammad Ali. Muhammad Ali is very well known worldwide. Muhammad Ali became a superstar not just in the United States but internationally. Manny Pacquiao has reached the kind of popularity that has crossed over to other nations. Floyd Jr is Manny Pacquiao’s equal. And Manny Pacquiao is Floyd Jr’s equal. By that reason, 50/50 split is fair. If Floyd Jr decides to hang up his gloves for awhile then he has involuntarily relinquished his own proclamation “Floyd Mayweather Jr is the Face of Boxing.” And Floyd Jr doesn’t be careful, Floyd Mayweather Jr will be now known as “The Farce of Boxing.”
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