By Coach Tim Walker – When there is nothing more to say, shut up! Fortunately, boxing247.com readers are never short on things to say, feelings to express or ideas to present. When it comes to the sport of boxing and its participants our comments go on and on, and on AND on. Those we like, we truly and wholeheartedly love. Those we don’t like, we despise with a passion equally as harsh. This is the case for the not yet official albeit combustible clash between Floyd Mayweather Junior and Manny Pacquiao. Epic in its nature, the quintessential villain and hero matchup.
Poet Ralph Waldo Emerson is one of my favorite writers. His works have stood time’s test and resonate needful even today. Though his writings are plentiful two of his quotes seem to perfectly describe this blockbuster of a match. One seems to represent Pacquiao, the other, maybe Mayweather..
Emerson once stated “A hero is no braver than an ordinary man, but he is brave five minutes longer.” If there is another quote that so vividly describes the state of the Pac Man’s union I haven’t heard it. He has effectively won the hearts of the world. Mostly because of his victories in the ring but there is another reason as well. He story parallels life in the most classic sense and brings hope to people. He is the little guy. He is the little engine that could. Knock downs and defeats early in life. Losses that would have surely caused most men to pack it up and move on. Try something different. Do something else. But not Manny. He kept with it. Endured the hardship, adversity and difficulties to arrive at his current point of destiny. He is loved for the way he fights in the ring. He is respected for the way he fights in life.
Emerson also wrote the famous phrase “Make yourself necessary to someone.” I am not one of them but many people don’t like the super talented Mayweather. Unflattering phrases are pinned to his torso like badges of dishonor. Pompous! Arrogant! Egotistical! Vain! His talent is unquestionable. His skill is undeniable. But he has botched making himself necessary in the hearts of fans. Absolutely, his PPV fights make millions but I’m sure there are as many, if not more, who tune in hoping to see him topple.
I can’t imagine how it feels to be him. To have worked your entire life to gain the highest level of skill that your body will allow to only have your aptitude overlooked in lieu of your attitude. I would liken it to being stranded on an island where there is no lack. For the record, I am as big a Mayweather fan as you can find.
Relax folks the fight will happen. It’s gotta happen. Right? We hope. When it does the stage is set for both fighters. Pacquiao will get his due (win, lose or draw) because he is loved and respected and he has earned that right. For Mayweather it won’t play out the same. If he wins it will be deprecate. If he loses or draws it will echo the world over. His due will come in the form of aversion towards his person regardless of his success or failure.
I once asked a boxing fan who totally dismisses Mayweather’s boxing career because he doesn’t like him the following question: If Mayweather beats Cotto, Margarito, Williams, Mosley and Pacquiao all in a row would you then respect him? Without missing a beat or blinking an eye he looked at me squarely and said “Hell no!”
Such are the roles of Pacquiao and Mayweather.
Coach Tim Walker is a contributing writer for the Eastsideboxing.com and his own blog at boxing4life.blogspot.com. To make fighter suggestions for Weekly Stud, The Prospect or to contact him with questions or comments please email him at tpwalker@hotmail.com.