13.05.09 – By B. Smith – To all of us true fans of the sport, this could be the most anticipated fight of the decade. We have Floyd Mayweather, who in many eyes is the best fighter of our time. We also have Manny Pacquiao, who cleaned house in six weight divisions and fought the best opposition placed in front of him. If these two collide, it would settle once and for all who the true pound for pound king really is. But will it happen?
Mayweather signed on to fight Juan Manuel Marquez this July. During the official press conference, Leonard Ellerbe said that Mayweather was back and had a hit list. But just who is on this hit list? Obviously Marquez is the first. A future hall of famer, Marquez is a test for anyone, but having only fought above 125 pounds once and signing to fight at a catch weight around 143, the legitimacy of this fight is in question.. Yes, he is the one man to give Pacquiao some real problems, but Floyd is bigger and fighting closer to his natural weight then Marquez. If Mayweather can get past him, and most of us suspect that he will, who is next?
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach has already said that they are not going to wait around for anyone. If this turns out to be true, the timing could be off and the dream fight may be in real jeopardy. Early speculation is that Sugar Shane Mosley is anxious for a meeting in the ring with Pacquiao. Miguel Cotto’s name has also been tossed around lately as a possible opponent for Pac. It seems as if either of these guys signs to fight with Pac, it would be set up as a fall matchup. With Floyd fighting in July, the timing seems to be off for him to meet Pacquiao in 2009.
The biggest factor in this fight , and the one that would make this happen, is the money. If Pacquiao/Mayweather was signed today, all the potential build up fights would be pointless. Who would care at all about Mayweather/Marquez, Pacquiao/Mosley, Mayweather/Cotto, or any other combination of the top welterweights. Yes, a fight between the top two pound for pound boxers could smash PPV records. Yes, it is the one fight that all of us fans really want to see. But, each build up fight would also make each fighter millions. After the dust has cleared, and if Pacquiao and Mayweather are the last two standing, will these two still want to fight? Would either man be willing to risk the P4P title that they both think they own? I personally hope more than anything that this fight goes down. Preferably sooner rather than later. Let us all hope that money and egos stay out of the way, and this fan favorite fight of the decade gets signed.
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