Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: The road to the biggest fight in boxing history

Frank Walsh5711 mins

“The fight the world has been waiting to see, the fight that the world wants to see,” a statement from the WBC began. “The WBC fully supports the promotion of this fight which will certainly break all existing records in many areas. The WBC has been supportive and has provided all flexibility for the fight to take place and hereby confirms that we will continue to do so.”

“We encourage all parties to sit down and make it happen, just as the Lennox Lewis vs. Mike Tyson fight, which seemed impossible to be put together, they all sat down and made it happen. That fight was aired PPV by all platforms from Showtime and HBO.”

In what can only be described as an injustice to the sport’s rich and sacred history, the failure by all parties involved to secure the two greatest pugilists of this era, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, to answer that opening bell in opposite corners of a ring has long drawn the ire of fans and pundits alike.

Following Manny Pacquiao’s dismantling of Chris Algieri in Macau last Saturday, Floyd Mayweather’s name was destined to be uttered throughout boxing forums as Pacquiao’s next logical choice of opponent. History finds a way of repeating itself and staying true to that theory, we find ourselves as fans positioned in the same scenario every time Pacquiao or Mayweather relinquishes another foe.

May and September 2015 are shoe’d in as Floyd Mayweather’s final two bouts of his professional career. Although Mayweather has exhibited minor signs of slowing a notch, sublime performances such as his victory over Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, left little doubt he still remains a level above the current crop of talent available presently. As the curtain closes on a hall of fame career with retirement on the horizon, there still remains one void absent from Floyd’s resume, Manny Pacquiao. Whilst ‘Money May’ has executed a successful business model selling a persona and lifestyle on HBO’s 24/7 and Showtimes ‘All Access’ show, the absence of Manny Pacquiao from a decorated career leaves a black mark on Mayweather’s resumé.

On his part, Manny Pacquiao has carved his own place in boxing folklore. An eight division world champion who arrived on American shores like a Filipino typhoon crushing Lehlo Ledwaba for the IBF world super bantamweight title, has engaged in some of this era’s most thrilling bouts. If one were to take note of various observations of both men’s peers in the sport and many pundits, it would appear the guilty verdict of this fight failing to materialize has been dealt to Floyd Mayweather for the most part, whether that accusation holds any truth or not.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather is a obverse mesh of styles. A technically apt slugger pitted against a defensive master craftsman. ‘Pacmans’ relentless combinations volleyed on foes such as Miguel Cotto, make for a formidable challenge beyond any caliber of opponent Floyd had faced previously. Although the decline in Manny is apparent to anyone following Pacquiao’s career, nonetheless on recent performances he has displayed a return to form winning three of his last five, one of which was a highly disputed loss to Timothy Bradley, most recently sending Chris Algieri to the canvas six times in their bout.

Following a lopsided and illustrious victory over Canelo Alvarez, Mayweather met Argentine slugger Marcos ‘El Chino’ Maidana in May of this year. Following a turbulent first couple of rounds, Mayweather made the necessary adjustments to maintain his unblemished record. Whilst a thin fog of doubt loomed after their first bout for many, Floyd cleared the air the second time around last September. Having mastered a defensive orientated style, Mayweather has prolonged his longevity at the top of the sport.

In reality both men could draw a sliver of criticism for recent opposition. One could argue Marcos Maidana and Robert Guerrero were tailor made for Floyd, whilst Brandon Rios and Chris Algieri merely managed to survive to hear the final bell against Pacquiao. At this stage of their respective careers, any bout outside of this match up will be viewed as a failure on all counts.

“A boy comes to me with a spark of interest, I feed the spark and it becomes a flame. I feed the flame and it becomes a fire. I feed the fire and it becomes a roaring blaze.” A famous quote from the late Cus D’Amato. Juggling a plethora of duties aside from boxing, it appears the flame that once roared inside Manny Pacquiao has extinguished to a degree. The relentless and brutal onslaught Pacquiao dished out on opponents has given way to a more methodical approach in parts. Suffering a monstrous one punch knockout has proven an insurmountable obstacle to overcome for many fighters in their return. Thus far, Pacquiao has shown no ill affects of being shut down by Juan Manuel Marquez two years ago in their fourth bout.

Floyd Mayweather has faced flashes of adversity against opponents fighting out of a southpaw stance. Zab Judah enjoyed much success in the first half of their clash. Although he won by a stretch on the scorecards, Shane Mosley rocked Mayweather to his foundations during their bout. To his credit, Floyd again made the necessary adjustments during the fight to emerge victorious. Manny Pacquiao presents Floyd with a unique style. The power punching Filipino punches from various and unorthodox angles. Lightening feet track opponents across to canvas to find that spot to crack through a defense with the powerful left hand. A return to the combination puncher of old would be required against a slick operator such as Mayweather.

Floyd on his part rides shots to great effect. Using his patented shoulder roll to see off the right hand and counter with his own right hand. A technique that is more effective on an orthodox fighter. Against a southpaw armed with legitimate speed and power, there lays a gap in that defensive shell to be exploited. In saying that, anytime it has been exploited Floyd tweaked his armor to adjust himself back on track.

Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather is the fight of this generation. No other fight would garner the public’s imagination to the magnitude of this bout. Regardless of why the fight fell at so many hurdles in years past, if I stand back and observe the situation from a far personally. My grandfather had Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling. My father had Muhammad Ali vs. Joe Frazier. I hope one day I can say I witnessed a pugilistic spectacle worthy of being spoken in the same breath, Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather.

57 thoughts on “Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: The road to the biggest fight in boxing history”

  3. the only person why this fight is not to happen is no other than CHICKEN GAYWEATHER . the whole world knows that this CHICKEN GAYWEATER is scared, coward, etc etc etc,

  5. Floyd’s ridiculous demands were placed by him just to buy time until Pacquiao vanish into thin air by some TKO artist like what Marquez did. But Floyd got it all wrong because after that TKO loss of Pacquiao he just rebounded by winning all each and every single round all his last 3 fights with Rios., Bradley and Algieri. that’s an unheard of in history of modern boxing. Pacquiao is still the same force that Floyd’s doesn’t want to be in the ring with. Now, Floyd must stop all these non-sense demands and just say “YES” or “NO” to fight Pacquiao and not take this fight hostage…so everybody can move on.

  6. The whole world is clamoring for the fight to happen. Everybody is ready to see the fight, except mayweather. If he says yes, then the fight is on. He is the only one who has the power to spoil everything, not arum, cbs/showtime, hbo, wbc, wbo, warren buffett, bill gates, nobody.

    1. Could have guessed your called unanimous with super dumb comments like that ! Pretty easy when you can hide away behind an internet forums !

  9. It’s not about Pacquiao vs. Mayweather no more, but it’s about the whole world against mayweather, can he man up enough or just succumb into the pit of SHAME…..

  11. Well, all I can say is if floyd’s not gonna fight manny, it will be written in the history of boxing that he’s undefeated. As in 48 or MORE WINS and ZERO BALLS… HAHAHA,

  13. Bring it on then. Mr. Pacman will be happy to get knot out by Mayweather. Mayweather is poorly represented the United States of American. Pacman was doing well represented the Philippines. Mayweather makes every American including myself lost faces.

  14. Just let the fight happens, forget about the failures of the past that cost the fight to make. Brace ourselves to a great fight as both boxer prepare themselves to answer the opening bell. Their basic responsibilities are to put themselves up in the best physical form and conditioning, and to exhibit good sportsmanship in the ring. With all things are equal, God will bless through a victory the one who is worthy of the sport and a model for others.

    1. Mayweather vs Pacquiao! Mayweather is the shot caller! The big draw! You hopeless Pacquiao fans are wishful and hopeful! Fact is Mayweather is the champion to beat!!!

    2. That comment in itself shows how stupid you people are calling him a coward with no balls ! nobodies allways make stupid comments like that especially against Floyd and his résumé ! Arguably the most successful and definately the richest boxer ever who is totally his own boss and truly needs to answer to no one like every other boxer on the planet has to !
      The idiots forget that he refought arguably his closest battle to date against maidana so how is he a coward ?
      Only true fools cannot see his business savvy and he is quietly laughing at all of you or actually probably not as your no knowledge nobodies !

  18. When will all these Money Mayweather haters quit hating on Floyd, he let the haters pick his #47 opponent and you guys chose Ms.Marcus (ReRe) Madaina LOL and he beat him at his on style I might add plus he was the size of a light heavyweight, all of you will make excuses after Money beat up Ms. Pacman then it will be Tripple G when will it stop, if you haters had your way again you probably would pick Wladimir Klitschko

  19. Floyds hands are brittle, he will not be able to match the volume combination punching of Manny if the fight goes toe to toe. Floyds style will be much the same get on his bicycle, shoulder roll, counter and potshot. If Floyd is not able to keep Manny off him and the fight goes the distance Manny could win from sheer activity.

    I believe Floyd has a deep down fear of Manny, possibly because a fortuneteller predicted his loss to Manny or because he has had nightmares. You can tell from his reactions whenever the topic of a fight with Manny catches Floyd off guard. He looses his composure and stutters a lot a definite sign of fear.

  21. When you are this quiet… After all the challenges, calls to fightfrom pac, arum, roach and the multitude of fans etc… What does that say????
    HE DOESNT WANT TO FIGHT PERIOD…. HE IS LOOKING FOR A WAY OUT WITHOUT LOOKING BAD TO HIS FANS…problem is he still has to look for a reason not to fight PAC. a seemingly good reason must come up.. Its not going to be easy this time mayweather… Just be honest and say i am scared

  22. Mayweather just tell them PAC HAS EBOLA OR SARS OR BIRD FLU… hahahaha… RUN FLOYD RUN!!!! CHICKEN!!!!!!

  23. in the name of the sports may arguements have evolved, arise let us see this two warrior bump their ass in front of us.Lets get ready to rumble………

  24. to all floyd fans:

    help us convinced floyd to fight pacman. I’m pretty sure you are also salivating to see the fight.

    So why argue whose the best….. Floyd is the best … Pacman is the best either.

    Floyd is great ….. Pacman is also great.

    So watching the two pugilists fighting each other is like watching Son Gokou fights Vegetta.

    Epic..

  26. This would be a boring fight for the non hardcore boxing fan.You will have one guy running sticking and moving and the other will be chasing and holding. Plus it will be a number 2 after the first one, Manny will get a boxing lesson from Floyd

  27. Any real fan of boxing that has between watching boxing forever knows the real facts and not just what is fed to the normal uninformed casual fan. These people are herded like sharp and will believe whatever told. The facts are clear and even swarm on YouTube by Freddie Roach and Alex Ariza. Floyd’s ordered manny to fight multiple times and many was the one running. This reporter continues to p perpetuate this lie by failing to mention this fact. He is either biased or does not know much about boxing himself. If that’s the case, stay in your lane and write about something else.

  28. Ross youtube videos edited to make for controversial viewing are not facts. The fact is both sides could shoulder blame at various stages. Ariza picks the side that suits him at whatever stage his career takes. ‘The facts’ are only fully known by a very small inner circle of people, which the media or fans are not a part of.

  29. floyd go get manny! he’s easy to beat now….. you da man! he aint got nothing left, he’s easy to knock out now. you saw jmm knock his lights out, you can do the same!!!!!! now floyd, now’s the time!!!!!!
    (damn, I sure hope this idiot faggit mayweather takes the bait, pac might have shown him too much in dismantling algueri he might find another excuse why he won’t fight pacquiao again)

  30. Floyd is scared. He can’t punch hard and Paq has enough power to knock him out. He knows this. Yet he knows he cannot knock Out Manny

  32. Pacman gona nock your ass out mayweather
    lol combos and counter punches gonna hit you so fast make you wish you was that fast gonna make you look stupid like you wont know what hit you or what happen gonna be funny cant wait to see you mad i see 300 punches landed over by pacman may wacth your eyes befor you lose them money cant buy this win for you but just a lost pacman tbe .
    Sorry mayweather this is when your career gona finish of humiliation one lost if your smart two lost if your that dumb to rematch thinking that you can be faster then the tbe pacman

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