Should Floyd Mayweather's Next Fight Be With Manny Pacquiao?
Well, here we are again.
After another Floyd Mayweather victory, questions are again arising about the super-fight of the century that hasn't happened--at least, not yet.
The 37-year-old Mayweather defeated Marcos Maidana in a 12-round fight that went the distance, where we once again saw Mayweather victorious via unanimous decision. Mayweather didn't box his best fight, but he didn't need to, considering he was facing Maidana, who isn't in his league.
While 47-0 is impressive, many boxing fans and experts are still criticizing Mayweather because of the noncompetitive opponents he continues to face.
Most likely, Mayweather will retire next September, which should be enough time for him to accomplish the feat of finishing 50-0. Although Mayweather is undefeated, he has yet to face Pacquiao one-on-one in the ring. Negotiations between these two go all the way back to 2008. Unfortunately, for a number of reasons, neither side has been able to agree to terms.
All-time boxing legacy has never been about what your overall record is; it's been about your boxing resumé; who you beat and who you lose against. Muhammad Ali lost five fights in his incredible career, but most people still consider him the greatest of all time. Ali had legacy-changing wins over Joe Frazier (twice), George Foreman and two more victories over Sonny Liston. Does anybody even remember that Sugar Ray Robinson lost 19 professional career fights? No, because he fought the best, win or lose. Despite finishing his career 49-0, Rocky Marciano isn't considered the best by most boxing fans.
Mayweather's resumé is still missing that one big fight.
There's no chance that Mayweather will fight a 25-year-old Keith Thurman. Thurman is entering the prime of his career, and that right hook just might drop Mayweather. That's far too big of a risk for "Money Mayweather."
The only option at this point is to face Pacquiao. It wouldn't be nearly the 'must-watch' super-fight considering both boxers are past their primes. Pacquiao is now 35 years old and he's scheduled to face Christopher Algieri this November. If Mayweather and Pacquiao face off next year, that would mean Mayweather would be 38 years old and Pacquiao 36. It'd be almost a remake of the movie "Grudge Match," with Sylvester Stallone and Robert De Niro.
But, better late than never.
Even though we should have seen this fight two or three times, fans should still be granted a chance to see these two in the ring just once. To make that happen, a lot of things must go right, money being a huge factor. Mayweather offered Pacquiao $40 million out of a fight that would reportedly bring in just over $300 million -- that's about 13 percent. Mayweather knew that was a ridiculous "offer," and the Pacquiao camp would not accept then.
Over the past three years, we've seen Pacquiao constantly call out Mayweather. Even recently, after the Maidana fight, Pacquiao said:
"He's all talk. Until now he has not yet agreed to fight me. Instead of blabbing, he should face me atop the ring. I'm tired of his alibis. If he really wants to fight me, he knows how to reach me. We can fight anytime, anywhere."
The biggest theme of the last few years has been Pacquiao calling out Mayweather. Mayweather has yet to challenge Pacquiao, leading many to believe he just may be too afraid to face Pacquiao one-on-one. For a boxer who claims to "care" about the fans so much, Mayweather has left many boxing fans curious and empty-handed in recent years.
Will he finally give them what they want with the fight the world has been waiting years for?
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