by James Slater: You can bet your life Floyd “Money” Mayweather will be a most interested observer of the upcoming November bout between Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito. Floyd may not be at the fight in person, but he will make sure he catches the action; most probably on one of the many television sets he has inside his beautiful Las Vegas home. Why will Mayweather be so keen to watch the fight unfold? Because, somewhat ironically, both guys are fighters he has been/is still being accused of ducking.
Go back a few years, long before Margarito’s popularity took a big nose dive due to his now well documented “hand wraps scandal” of Jan. 2009, and fans almost everywhere were calling Floyd all sorts of names for not agreeing to get it on with “The Tijuana Tornado.” As usual, Mayweather ignored his critics and fought whoever he wanted to. Fast forward a few years, and “Money” is hearing almost the exact same thing from his detractors; only this time the name of Pacquiao is there instead of Margarito.
Enough has been written about this on/off/on again/ off again super-fight, and fans are sick of being jerked around. Maybe one day next year (the month of May seems to have been talked about quite a bit) the two pound-for-pound rivals will actually get in the ring and settle their differences; we’ll remain hopeful. But what if Margarito can cope with having to come in at a contracted weight of no more than 150-pounds, and what if he can also cope with Pac-Man’s southpaw stance and incredible speed, and what if “Tony” actually causes the upset? Would Mayweather then be prepared, all this time later, to get it on with the Mexican hard man?
Or will Floyd continue to be called a ducker with regards to Margarito, the thing he is being refereed to today by Pacquiao fans? To my mind, Mayweather will be under massive pressure to face November 13th’s winner, whoever it is. Does Floyd, who may well take just one more fight before walking into the sunset, his bank account and his trophy cabinet full, have a preference to who wins in November? Of the two highly dangerous fighters, which one would Floyd be willing to face (no way will he face both men!)
Most fans and experts see Pac-Man winning his 8th world title in November, giving Margarito a severe hiding in the process. If so, and unless Pacquiao decides he has had enough waiting around for Mayweather to agree to face him and opts to retire, the clamor for Pac Vs. Mayweather will be unbearable. Unbearable perhaps even for Mayweather.
Whoever wins in November, if Floyd Mayweather does not agree to fight him, his legacy will be forever tarnished. Enjoy the fight in November, Floyd – but keep in mind at all times the fact that once the fight is over with, you will be unable to go anywhere without some fan or another asking you when you are gonna fight the winner!
2011: will we see Mayweather Vs. Pacquiao or will we see Mayweather Vs. Margarito?