Life + Times

The Big Tease

06.20.2011

SPORTS

It happened again. Actually, it didn’t happen again.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao is the big tease; the equivalent of boxing’s blue balls. And fans of the sport are growing tired of the foreplay. When Floyd Mayweather, Jr. took to Twitter to announce his September 17th fight with “Vicious” Victor Ortiz, a collective groan swept over the entire sports world. Not because Victor Ortiz doesn’t belong in the same ring with Mayweather, but because the sports world has once again been robbed of the biggest matchup since Muhammad Ali faced Joe Frazier 30 years ago.

The Haley’s Comet of sports can happen again as the two best fighters in the world have the opportunity to settle their differences inside of the squared circle. Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, Jr. are, hands down, the two best fighters in the world, who are poised to take part in the biggest fight the world has this century. But the allure in this does not simply reside in the fact that both are at the top of their respective games, rather, the attraction comes in just how different they are in and out of the ring.

Inside of the ring, Mayweather is a surgeon. With a record of 41-0 (25 KOs), the 34-year-old has a style that is more chess than checkers. He rarely gets hit, has the boxing IQ equivalent to Einstein and constantly outclasses his opponents.

If Mayweather is a surgeon, Pacquiao is a wrecking ball laced with dynamite. The 32-year-old Filipino sports a record of 53-3-2 (38 KOs) and has demolished every foe put in front of him over the past five years. What he lacks in polish, he makes up in devastating punching power and blinding hand speed. He’s a record eight-division world champion who – in many people’s minds – has usurped the number one spot from Mayweather on fictional pound-for-pound lists.

As different as they are inside the ring, they are poles apart outside. Mayweather is a brash, cocky, arrogant “money first” boxer who many believe prefers safety over a challenge. His attitude has turned him into the perennial villain of the sport. He may be a work of art inside of the ring, but his perceived ugly demeanor has people paying to see him get his pretty face ravaged to the point of no return. Pacquiao is the exact opposite. The soft spoken fighter from Kibawe, Philippines is a people-first person who is as kind outside of the ring as he is dangerous inside of it. A man who represents an entire country, Pacquiao doubles as a politician who fights to end poverty. While Pacquiao’s mentality is to save money for the people, Mayweather spends it and then throws it in your face.

Manny Pacquiao photo by Chris Farina/Top Rank Promotion

Continue to next page →

Robert Horton

Excellent article!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_QMUG2X4JRJ6HJD2EXV4T5S6WK4 Arnie

awesome article…..unbiased and well written. Thanks
http://www.facebook.com/smackiee Troy Graves II

the best article I’ve read about the whole situation….c’mon Floyd…just fight the man.
http://twitter.com/adaugeo Matthew W. DeCoste

Joe Louis vs. Max Schmeling II was probably the “most important” fight of the century, but I’ll give you that Ali vs. Frazier I was the biggest event.

Great article regardless!
Anonymous

Pac doesnt give money to his people. Show me proof of that. Although Money is cocky and arrogant, his contributions to his community is amazing. I like both fighters and they are both at fault for making this fight not happen. Regardless, Money’s attitude is what makes him the cash cow. Ali did it, so I don’t see why Money is getting a bad rap. Great article.
Charley Galdamez

Pacquiao has never failed a drug test. The only reason I hear coming from camp Mayweather that Pacquiao needs to take Olympic-style testing is because he keeps knocking people out. The way I see it is Mayweather doesn’t want it bad enough. He’s supposed to be a prize fighter, well the biggest prize will come his way fighting Pacquiao. He doesn’t want it. I’ve always been a fan of Mayweather more than Pacquiao, but saddly this is changing. Let’s not even talk about bad promoters and networks messing up the sport. Solid article.

If you want to see a great fighter who doesn’t back down from anybody look up Sergio Martinez. He’s a little older, but exciting and dangerous to watch. No promoters want to put their fighters up against him. DANGER.
Anonymous

What will it be, will there be an end to who is the best between the 2 or will the ongoing Tease continue… How will even this be decided or will it ever be decided… Only these 2 can say for sure if they want or need to know who is the better fighter in the ring… Millions are wondering… x
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000893800816 Jason Soto

May will pick Pac-Man apart for 12 rounds.. Not sure why so many people are desperate to see this fight happen, a counter puncher is the Kryptonite to Pac’s Superman and Money May is the best counter puncher in the game. Besides Pac has enough to deal with now that he is signed on to fight Juan Manuel Marquez for the third time, a man who many believe won their previous 2 fights. I’m a fan of both men but I’m also a realest and Mayweather’s ring I.Q. is the best there is in boxing, he will not get into a slug fest with Pac, he’ll take his time, pick his shots and baffle Pac with his magnificent defense.
http://twitter.com/RonnieBarnes2 Ronnie Barnes

Stating what boxing fans already know, but decent write up…
http://www.facebook.com/adkeys Andre Drizzy Dre Keys

is this article for real gotta me Mayweather haterz who wrote this… they paint a picture of pacman some type of knight in shining armor an Mayweather some type of bad guy.. why cause he making the most money is the sport an everyone want want pacman to be the top an he still dont clear what mayweather clears for a fight plus prom’s get real i didnt hear a clear answer from pacman when he was asked did he want to fight Mayweather next in the interview after the shane fight he danced around that just like mayweather will dance aroung him in the ring an punish him… so sick of all the talk about this fight i dont even reall y care to see it… but i do want mayweather to beat his ass an show all you haterz who’s the best TEAM MAYWEATHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CZDUOTWAAYPDS5UHH4YD4M5G2E Stan

Manny Pacquiao foundation is his charity. Mayweather doesnt like southpaws. Pacquiao would win in points. Defense is good but you need to throw punches.
Anonymous

Life + Times should check out the climbing world. I recently read the feature in National Geographic and I am totally inspired. Your sports articles are amazing… I am telling rock climbing is the next big thing!
http://www.facebook.com/arob83 Arvin Robles

I agree, i feel that Mayweather Camp is waiting on Pacquaio to have a bad fight so they could go on that. Manny goes hard everytime hes in the ring. Floyd likes to control the fight and dictate the pace, feel out his opponent. With Pacquaio its tough. How can you fight someone who throws a bunch of punches in different angles. Its impossible to dodge, bob & weeve, and not connect when in the ring with Pacquaio. Not taking anything away from Floyd cause hes fast himself. I wanna seem these 2 in the ring already. My 2 favorite boxers of all time.
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002471357714 Dejarlis Shaquille Reese

both yoy guys stop being big ass babies. im sick of hearing bout you guys are gonna fight. its either your gonna fight or your not
http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100002471357714 Dejarlis Shaquille Reese

stop being babies and fight damn
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_X5LGUVFHIKOIGE5EYYUGUVO5TU Danny

you guys are all sheep pac dosen’t deserve to be in the same ring as money may, When mayweather beats Ortiz you will be reminded just how far ahead in the game floyd is, if and when pac and money do fight i pray he punishes him like he did gatti so everyone can shut up
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_X5LGUVFHIKOIGE5EYYUGUVO5TU Danny

you guys are all sheep pac dosen’t deserve to be in the same ring as money may, When mayweather beats Ortiz you will be reminded just how far ahead in the game floyd is, if and when pac and money do fight i pray he punishes him like he did gatti so everyone can shut up
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_K7T5UAO3DARX6DWNVDQZLZGZHM OLEY

one fighter throws 100-120 punches per round, while the other throws 30-40..DO THE MATH!!!! When was the last time you’ve seen Mayweather’s punches hurt anyone???
http://twitter.com/juliantheflyest J◯RDΔN

Pacquiao lacks boxing skill, I don’t see how you expect this man to beat the boxer, Mayweather….& the name of the game is Boxing. Pacquiao has zero defense, zero head movement, predictable footwork, & throws wild, blind punches. Mayweather is a technician, he’ll see Pac’s punches before he throws them. May wins this fight by tko in the 10th.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_K7T5UAO3DARX6DWNVDQZLZGZHM OLEY

like I said…when was the last time you’ve seen Mayweather hurt anyone with his punching power.?..I agree he is a technician in the ring, but IF..and thats a big IF, it will be by decision…
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_D6PORBI6BG2J3AUJSYXQBR6O64 Stephen

The last time FMM hurt someone? Ummmm…how about…uhhh..SHANE MOSLEY?

FMM hit Shane harder – and far more often – than Pac did.

When is Pac going to stop fighting FMM’s sloppy seconds?
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_K7T5UAO3DARX6DWNVDQZLZGZHM OLEY

hahaha…FMM never threatened mosely with his power! He out-pointed him with pop shots here and there! No power shots. It wasn’t Pac’s fault that sugar shane was running the whole fight!

and the only reason manny keeps fighting floyd’s sloppy seconds is cuz floyd won’t man up and fight him himself. So Manny keeps having to show everyone he’s better by CLEARLY dominating the common opposition.

De La Hoya TKO
Hatton TKO (nearly died in the ring)
Mosely (kept running scared)
and don’t forget Floyd never wanted a piece of Cotto, Clottey, or Margarito…he’s undefeated cuz he won’t take on all comers..picks and chooses his fights.
http://twitter.com/nowthatuknw TT

“money first” boxer…..he git so what…