Manny Pacquiao is no punk... by Elisa Valverde
-Photo Credit: Jose Hernandez/BRC-
"Manny Pacquiao
I'm calling you out. Let's fight May 5th and give the world what they want
to see. My Jail Sentence was pushed back because the date was locked in.
Step up Punk."
Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather stand to go down in boxing history along
with champions like Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier, even though they have
never stared each other down in the ring. The mere mention of
Manny Pacquiao's
name causes a strange phenomena in what has always been a sport supported by
"crazy" fans. I don't believe that there has ever been a boxer in the story
that has carried a country on his shoulders the way Pacquiao has; i.e., in
spite of accusations of steroid abuse, questionable wins against some of his
opponents, etc., Filipinos never cease to support him. He is one of the few
chosen ones.
Pacquiao's most controversial fight is the one that hasn't happened; the one
against phenom, 41-0 champion in five weight divisions, Floyd
Mayweather, Jr.
This afternoon, politician and five weight division champion as well, Manny
Pacquiao, who holds a record of 54 wins, 38 KOs, 3 losses, (2 by KO), was once
again challenged by Mayweather Jr., who closed out his dare with the words,
"step up, punk."
One can only imagine how Pacquiao's fans are reacting to those words,
(chances are Pacquiao himself won't even address the comment).
Mayweather's camp understands that their man -who was on his way to serve a
6-month jail sentence for domestic violence issues- is running out of time
to face Manny Pacquiao. Promoter Bob Arum moved heaven and earth (or $omething
along tho$e line$) to get Mayweather's sentence postponed six months in
order to keep the May 5th date alive. --Since when judges get involved in
what's good for boxing and/or the economic impact a professional fight may
have on their city?-- That's odd...
Will Manny Pacquiao step up to the plate and meet the mouthy Mayweather, who
has shown him very little -if any- respect? This humble writer does not have
the answer to that question, but does have some questions she would like to
ask you, boxing fans, check it out...
1) - How many of you are willing to pay PPV fees to see Floyd Mayweather Jr.
fight Roberto Guerrero?
Count me out of that possible fight, PPV or otherwise, because Guerrero is
not now nor will he ever be at Floyd Mayweather's level.
2) - How many of you are
willing to pay PPV fees to see Floyd Mayweather Jr. fight Saul "Canelo"
Alvarez?
Well, we have stepped it up a notch or two in overall skills, youth and
class but still not good enough. In spite of what Mr. Schaffer and Oscar de
la Hoya would have you believe, "Canelo" would be at sparring partner level
against FM.
It doesn't escape me that
Guerrero and Alvarez are favored opponents for the May 5th fight because of
their Mexican roots, and the connection to the date, but is that enough to
make a fight with either one?
3) Can anyone out there who
considers himself a boxing fan compare Guerrero and/or Canelo to Manny
Pacquiao??
I would want to hope NOT! Not even close, please... How can the boxing
dealers and wheelers even attempt to substitute Manny Pacquiao for either
one of the above mentioned? And assuming they did, how can anyone who
considers himself a boxing fan support such farce?
I don't believe Manny Pacquiao is a punk. I do believe that a case could be
made that he lost two of his three fights against Juan Manuel Marquez and he
looked a bit washed up after the third fight against the Mexican warrior. I
believe the mileage is cashing up to the Filipino Congressman and he wants
to cash out big. Unquestionably, a fight against FM could easily become the
biggest money maker of all time.
Boxing fans should stand united, it's either Mayweather vs Pacquiao or
nothing, and it seems as though Mayweather is more receptive to meet the
Filipino than the other way around.
Manny Pacquiao does not
deserve to go down in boxing history as a punk. So, come on Mr. Arum and
crew, make it happen. May 5th, not a day later.