Floyd Mayweather Jr. is an interesting character. He’s a man of extremes. Inside the ring he is undeniably brilliant, but outside of it, his egomaniacal persona can only be evidence of one of two things. He is either an extremely insecure individual hiding behind a carefully constructed and perfectly maintained facade, or he has severe delusions of grandeur. There’s no other possibility. Take your pick.
In comparison, Manny Pacquiao is a man of contrasts. He is widely considered one of the gentlemen of the sport. He speaks of his opponents with respect. His calm demeanor and humility are in direct contrast with his killer instinct, ferocity and frenzied fighting style inside the ring.
Pacquiao will fight Joshua Clottey on March 13, and Mayweather will fight Shane Mosley on May 1. Although both fights promise to be exciting events, boxing fans the world over are still itching to see a bout between the top two pound for pound fighters in the world. The still hypothetical bout between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. has already been fought vicariously through fans of both pugilists on various boxing forums a thousand times over.
Both fighters are continually asked about the possibility of a future match-up, even as they are promoting and training for their upcoming bouts. Pacquiao has to contend with questions regarding allegations of PED use that were fabricated by Team Mayweather. Despite the constant questioning about the doping allegations, he hasn't fired back with irresponsible or distasteful remarks about his accusers. In fact, he has kept his replies short and simple, wisely refraining from an all out attack against Mayweather. He has simply stated that he believes that Mayweather doesn’t want to fight him. Mayweather, on the other hand, has been more vocal. In a recent interview with David Mayo of the Grand Rapids Press, Mayweather upped the anti for the possibility of a future match with Pacquiao.
“Instead of 20 or 25 (million dollars), he may have to drop to 15, or 17,” Mayweather said. “And you know me, they may have to throw that extra five or 10 on mine, and we can rock and roll. Take it or leave it.”
Mayweather also said, “I gave him a chance, up to 14 days out. But my new terms are all the way up to the fight. They can come get us whenever, all the way up to the fight, random drug test. That’s what it is.”
How kind it was for Floyd to have given Manny a chance. He's a swell guy. But now Floyd's had enough. No more Mr. Nice Guy. If negotiations reopen down the road, things will be different. It appears that poor Manny will “have to” give up 10 million dollars, submit blood samples at the weigh-in, before the fight and possibly between every round to prove that Team Pacquiao isn't slipping a little something special into his water. Failure to do so could result in Floyd pouting in the corner and glaring disdainfully at Manny, which would certainly hurt Manny's feelings.
Let's get real. Regardless of what Mayweather says Pacquiao “may have to” do, Pacquiao has already proven that he doesn't “have to” do anything that is not mandated by the boxing commission. It is also noteworthy that Mayweather was actually the one who was given a chance. Pacquiao is the WBO welterweight champion of the world as well as the No. 1 ranked pound for pound fighter. That makes Mayweather the challenger. He seems to be forgetful of that fact.
Contact Lorne: lscoggins@8countnews.com
Source: 8countnews.com
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