Is there anything more frustrating for a boxing fan than hearing about the potential bout between Manny Pacquiao and Sugar Shane Mosely? It is like sitting down and watching a movie and the person behind you whispers in your ear on how it ends. Even worse, it is as if you’re watching the Super Bowl and you already know the outcome.
For average fans a bout between Manny Pacquiao and Sugar Shane Mosely sounds like a great fight. Matter of fact, a good friend called me as soon as the bout was official for May 7th. She is not your biggest boxing fan but one that pays attention when a big name announces a big fight. As for my excitement just imagine a Bill Belichick press conference after winning the second game of the regular season. Bahhh Humbug.
I may sound the like the Grinch who stole Christmas but this is just as good as trusting Don King with your money. This fight is supposed to be Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao. The fight that Mayweather continues to duck as his life is spiraling out of control. The Politician vs. the Convict, the Best vs. the Best, the fight for the ages that every fan yearns to see. The fight that saves boxing and brings fans to their feet after every jab that connects. Instead we get another slap in the face and an average fight at best.
Not to take anything away from the Hall of Famers that will step into the ring on May 7th, I am sure it will draw fans to the arena and draw paying customers to the finest drinking establishments around the world. But…….it simply is not fair. It is not what I, yes I want to see, and it is not what true boxing fans need at this point in time. Call it greed and call it disrespecting Sugar Shane and his fans, but he has as good as chance to beat the best pound for pound fighter (that hurts to say Mr. Bob Carroll) in the universe as I have.
There is no blame on Pacquiao for this fight, and surely no blame on Sugar Shane who again has the opportunity of a lifetime. The entire blame lies on Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. He is the one that should be taking the podium and posting Youtube videos about Manny cooking his post fight meal, well maybe which is a bad example. As Floyd has made every mistake possible from racial slurs, stealing Iphones, to fighting body guards (for free!), he is the only one that can make this right.
It is time to stop ducking, stop with demands on Olympic style drug testing, which way to split the purse, and which venue will hold the mega fight. It is time to settle down, get back on your feet and give back to the boxing community as the Grinch would give back the gifts he lifted from the homes of the needy. It is the boxing fans that are the needy and need the fight to take place. There is one more chance for this fight to happen next year, it is the only thing I am asking for in the New Year, whether it is a delayed gift, but all things are possible if you believe.
From the Southernmost Corner of the United States
Jon Crane
www.convictedartist.com
