Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s auxiliary goal in the sport of boxing, for over four years now, seems to have been to tear down the image of Manny Pacquiao in any way he can. Floyd can’t and/or won’t do it in the ring so he does it outside of the ring with racial and ethnic slurs, mocking insults, false and damaging accusations, and various other attempted belittlements. A mission of sorts, clearly Manny has been on Floyd’s mind more than Floyd has been on his.
Floyd likely hoped Manny was done, once and for all, after Marquez knocked him out last year, likely betting that he would never have to face him in the ring or to compete with him again in any venue or on any level. But Manny came back in impressive style and now, Floyd can’t handle it. He thought Marquez had put out Pacquiao’s lights permanently. Instead, they are shining again, and even if not as brightly as before, there remains a strong glimmer of hope and confidence for, and in the man. Floyd Mayweather Jr. simply cannot handle this truth.
If George Groves (19-1, 15 KO’s) can’t get IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch to give him a rematch, WBA super middleweight champion Andre Ward (27-0, 14 KO’s) says he’d be interested in giving Groves a chance at winning his belt. Ward liked what he saw of Groves in his loss last month to Froch in Manchester, UK, and he thinks Groves deserves a title shot.
LAS VEGAS (December 264, 2013) – Reigning World Boxing Association (WBA) Super and International Boxing Association (IBA) Light Heavyweight World Champion
LOS ANGELES (Dec 26) – 2013 was one of the best years boxing has had in recent memory, and as Sports Illustrated recapped the past 12 months, it honored Golden Boy Promotions CEO Richard Schaefer as the iconic publication’s Promoter of the Year.
If George Groves (19-1, 15 KO’s) is going to get a rematch against IBF/WBA super middleweight champion Carl Froch (32-2, 23 KO’s), then it’s probably going to take a change of tactics for him to get Froch to start showing interest in giving him a second chance.
After witnessing Floyd Mayweather Jr. make numerous posts poking fun at Manny Pacquiao as well as other possible opponents using his Twitter account, it is no secret that he is trying hard. But what is he trying to do?
2013 was a very good year for boxing by and large, and the elite operators of the last 12 months really had a chance to show their class. The mythical but always interesting/debatable/essential pound-for-pound rankings saw some old stars remain where they were, whilst some new stars burst into the charts.
If Marcos Maidana ends up being the one that faces Floyd Mayweather Jr. in his next pay-per-view bout on Showtime on May 3rd, Sergio Martinez sees Mayweather as having problems in trying to beat him. Sergio, a tough fighter from Argentina, thinks Maidana won’t be an easy out for Mayweather if he chooses to face him.
Toughness of mind and skill in facing toughest oppositions are equal to gallantry. It is the virtue most supreme and compatible to boxing as a combat sport. Thus beyond ring performances, gallantry should be topmost as criteria in choosing the Fighter (not “Fighter”) of the Year award.