By John F. McKenna (McJack)
Once again the boxing world is in a tizzy over the possibility of an impending fight between undefeated superstar WBC welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (42-0, 26 KO’s) and Ring Magazine #1 Pound for Pound fighter in the world WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (54-3-2, 38 KO’s).
The Mayweather camp showed a sudden interest in taking on the Filipino icon after his less than dazzling performance in his 3rd contest against WBO/WBA lightweight champion Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KO’s) on November 12. Pacquiao won a very controversial decision in that fight and many boxing observers feel that Marquez deserved the decision.
“Pacman” was far from the exciting and dominant fighter in the Marquez fight that boxing fans have become accustomed to. It was thought by many prior to November 12 that despite what he said publicly, Mayweather was ducking Pacquiao because of his performances against fighters like David Diaz, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Joshua Clottey and Antonio Margarito.
But in his fight with Shane Mosley and then Marquez, Manny performed like a mere mortal. Marquez’s defensive skills gave Pacquiao fits just as they had in their previous two fights. Instead of seeing the highly touted two handed fighter that had been so highly touted by the Pacquiao camp, Manny reverted back to the fighter he had always been.
The reasoning by boxing fans is that Mayweather has defensive and counter punching skills that are far superior to what Marquez has to offer and in fact when Mayweather fought Marquez in 2009 he basically pitched a shutout.
Over the last couple of weeks there has been a flurry of activity which even include reports that Pacquiao advisor Michael Koncz visited Mayweather’s gym and spoke to Floyd.
Prior to the Pacquiao – Marquez fight, the Mayweather camp contacted the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to set a date of May 5, 2012 for a fight between Mayweahter and “the little fella”. Boxing fans were left to wonder who the “little fella” might be, but could only assume it was Pacquiao.
Top Rank CEO Bob Arum was annoyed that no one from the Pacquiao camp had been contacted and had been shut out of the decision making process as to when and where the big fight was to be held. Arum quickly dismissed the idea that Mayweahter could pick a site and date without even discussing it with the Pacquiao camp.
We have all been to the point before where it appeared that the “Dream Match” was finally going to happen, only to have those hopes dashed. Hopefully this time all the players are serious about putting the Mega Bucks fight together.
