So they fight of the century is over, and mainstream fans are complaining. What a shock! What were they expecting? Had they ever seen Mayweather fight? The days of the potential for Hagler-Hearns is over... as fighters do not take risks as much, and defense becomes a more sought after art. Did we really expect fighters not to take notice of the fact that Mayweather and Klitschko, two fighters who barely get hit, are still on top of the sport after 19 years in the professional ranks? Miguel Cotto said it best, "Are the fans going to take care of my family, if I die for them?" And that is from a man who is fairly exciting.
So, the ridiculous expectations aside, boxing will survive this as it has everything else. For the die hards, we have Canelo - Kirkland to look forward to, which will almost certainly be more exciting. For the fight itself, it is still worth talking about, as Mayweather has joined Willie Pep, Roy Jones, and Pernell Whittaker in a rare ability, and that is to make other all-time greats look very ordinary. Mayweather reduced Pacquiao's punch output from the very beginning, and no one can tell me that was part of any Freddie Roach master plan. After landing a left hand in round 4, which briefly staggered Mayweather, Pacquiao's follow up barrage accomplished nothing. Even though the fight was fairly even at that point, Pacquiao was already on plan C.
He landed at half the percentage he is used to landing, and threw less than half the punches he normally throws. To see an offensive marvel like Pacquiao reduced to the effectiveness of a Robert Guerrero was indeed impressive. The fact that it was done by a 38 year old man who has spent 17 years at the championship level was all the more astonishing. Chavez and Azumah Nelson looking ordinary against Whittaker was pretty amazing, too, but at least Whittaker was near his peak when he did this. Mayweather, unfortunately for his business model, dominated thoroughly, and did so in a non-thrilling fight. Pacquiao knows it, too.
Don't believe his post-fight statements. Manny has a boss, and that is Bob Arum. He knew he won the Bradley fight, but he kept quiet, so Arum could legitimize the lousy decision, and force a big money rematch. He knew he lost this fight, also, but Arum had him under gag order. This way, they figure, he can rile up his fans by claiming robbery, and try to sell a rematch. Not even bottom-line Bob can pull that off. No one sane wants or needs to see a rematch. The only question remains, where does Floyd go from here? He cannot fight Khan in September, due to Khan's religious practices. Without Thurman or Brook facing each other, the drawing power of each is very limited, at least compared to their risk.
The most likely case scenario is one that makes fight fans cringe. Either a match with Geale-Cotto winner, or Danny Garcia. Garcia has looked ordinary in the last year, but his "find a way to win" abilities are high, as are Floyd's, and his "0" may be used to sell that fight. If Cotto or Geale want to avoid GGG, and both would surely do so, Floyd could technically fight for the "legit" middleweight title, and retire on top... handing the division over to Golovkin without fighting him. I still do not fully believe Floyd will retire at 49-0. He must go for that elusive 50. One thing is fairly certain, however... he will not go for it against Golovkin.
Chris Strait
www.convictedartist.com
