In Floyd’s Fantasy World: Pacman is Running Scared

Image via wikipedia

Filipino boxing superstar and pound-for-pound king Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 KOs) administered an emphatic beatdown of Puerto Rican brawler Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs) last Saturday on his way to a record seventh belt in as many weight divisions that fans and critics alike are singing his praises and are revising his place among all-time great discussions.

In the wake of that stunning performance, non-believers who picked against the Pacman are either left eating humble pie, joined the ranks of the unemployed, or disappeared off the face of the internet. With the 12th-round knockout of one of the top welterweights today, the 30-year old Filipino offered further evidence that he is the best fighter of this generation as well as further cementing his claim on the mythical pound-for-pound throne.

One fighter however was on everyone’s mind when the smoke of battle cleared. Fans chanted “we want Floyd” as Pacman was being interviewed by HBO commentator Larry Merchant after the fight. Although the Pacman skirted the issue and left the matter of deciding his next opponent to Top Rank chief Bob Arum, revered trainer Freddie Roach however made it very clear during the post-fight presscon that they want Floyd Mayweather (40-0, 25 KOs) as Pacquiao’s next opponent provided he is willing to come to the table without his absurd demands.

“That’s the fight the world wants to see. But if Floyd wants a 65-35 split (of the purse) he’s not going to get it” declared Roach, who was given a new moniker as ‘boxing master’ by his prized pupil.

Pacquiao’s promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, went on record during the post-fight presscon, “Manny is open to fight anybody. I make that statement now”. The Hall of Fame promoter however said that they’re not gonna put up with any kind of nonsense, trash talks, or negotiate the fight in the newspapers. “If Floyd Mayweather wants to fight Manny Pacquiao, he knows who to call, period!”, stressed the veteran promoter who also promoted the flamboyant Mayweather years ago but has since had an acrimonious parting of ways amidst a very public show of disdain for one another.

Floyd Blasts Pacquiao

With the ball thrust squarely on his court, Floyd Mayweather comes out firing in an exclusive interview with British media outlet Sky Sports saying that he would be in a no-win situation should he face Pacquiao.

“I’m in a no-win situation. If I beat Manny Pacquiao do you know what they are going to say? ‘You are supposed to beat him, you are Floyd Mayweather, you are the bigger man’. If I knock him out they’ll say ‘you’re supposed to knock him out he’s been knocked out before’, the unbeaten welterweight fighter said.

The 32-year old native of Grand Rapids, Michigan belittled the Filipino’s skills as a fighter saying, “the thing is with Pacquiao I don’t see any versatility as a fighter; he’s a good puncher but just one-dimensional.”

The former pound-for-pound king also claimed that Pacquiao is scared to fight him saying, “When they asked Manny Pacquiao ‘would you like to fight Floyd Mayweather’ he said talk to my promoter; they didn’t ask your promoter they asked you, what do you want to do?”.

Mayweather said that Pacquiao was asked the same question three times and yet the Pacman always diverted to another topic and was not able to state a categorical answer.

“This is something the world is trying to force on him (Pacquiao). If he wants to fight Floyd Mayweather all he has to do is step up to the plate,” Mayweather said.

photo credit: Dewey Nicks for TIME

You Almost Fooled Us Floyd

Compelling stuff from the man who proudly calls himself ‘Money’. We would have believed him if we didn’t know that he picked on a great albeit much older fighter in Juan Manuel Marquez, who is at least two weight divisions below, for his comeback fight last September. If only we didn’t know that he shamelessly padded his advantage over the already shorthanded hombre by weighing above the contracted weight in his cash-for-pounds scheme, and that he announced his comeback fight against JMM on the very morning that Pacquiao fought Hatton. Mayweather could’ve waited a few more hours and then fought the winner of that fight if he really wanted to.

If only he focused on being a fighter and took on the very best instead of being a dancer/entertainer by choosing opponents who are either smaller, past their prime, or grossly overmatched in the past seven years.

If only we did not notice that on several occasions Floyd Mayweather was also asked if he wants to fight Pacquiao and he beat around the bush, hiding behind his non-coherent line of reasoning.

If only we did not know that Manny Pacquiao is the baddest malunggay-powered rice eating boksingeroin the planet and that he gamely takes on all comers (in fact the best that the sport could offer which seem to be getting better and bigger with each fight), then we could have believed you Floyd. As Bob Arum said in the post-fight presscon, Pacquiao only ducks in the sense that he cannot fight two fighters on the same night. Aside from that no one can really claim with any sense that the Pacman has avoided anybody within reasonable weight proximity.

You could have fooled us Floyd. If only we can’t smell your BS from a barrio away.

Reality Check, Pacman Knows

We understand that this is part of posturing for leverage in the negotiation process which unofficially started when Pacquiao fulfilled his part of the pseudo-semifinals with last Saturday’s impressive win over Cotto. But unfortunately for Mayweather, we do know and Pacman knows.

But just in case the self-proclaimed cash cow and face of boxing still lives in a time warp circa 2007, before he staged his retirement, well here’s some breaking news Floyd. The Pacman has ably taken over the pound-for-pound title that you abdicated and lots more while you were away.

Following is a list of the Pacman’s accomplishments and recognitions. If you need some proof, you may look up some of the listed references on the right.

Pound-for-pound number one boxer – Ring Magazine

Face of boxing – Time Magazine

Cash cow- Forbes, PPV numbers

Cross-over star- Jimmy Kimmel Live and other major media outlets such as the New York Times, CNN, USA Today, among others

Endorsement magnet – Nike, San Miguel Beer, etc.

Icon – Jay Z, cast of Hollywood stars, other athletes, and even political figures

Oh, and by the way, the last time we checked Pacquiao is holding on to the IBO and Ring Magazine Light Welterweight belts and the WBO Welterweight belt which he recently snatched from Miguel Cotto while you are holding on to nothing but your ‘my precious’ goose egg. So stop saying all roads lead to Floyd Mayweather because you’re full of nothing but hot air especially recently because despite your obvious God-given talent you have not ’stepped up to the plate’ as you have eloquently put it, Gollum, er, Floyd.

The Pacman did not achieve these accomplishments by not stepping up to the plate. He is on the plate Floyd, perhaps you just didn’t notice as you were too busy yapping or looking at yourself in the mirror, pretty boy.

Now, it’s your turn.

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