By Gina L. Caliboso-November 25, 2009
After Manny Pacquiao’s dominating victory over Miguel Cotto, not less than a few seconds after the win did Larry Merchant ask both fighter Pacquiao and Trainer Roach what lies ahead. And we all know the question. But I’d like to focus on Pacquiao’s answers.
Go on vacation and spend time with his family. “What’s next,” Merchant insists. It’s up to my promoter Top Rank’s Bob Arum to make that decision. Let’s move on to Trainer Roach’s answer: “Everyone wants to see Pacquiao fight Mayweather.” I like Pacquiao’s answers best – he cannot foretell the future although it’s a fight that MUST happen.
But more importantly, what truly lies ahead is what does Floyd Mayweather, JR., do now?
He can pull a Chuck Liddell and go on Dancing With the Stars. Wait – he’s already done that. In fact, he did it before Chuck Liddell did it. Mayweather can come out of retirement for big money. Oh yeah, he’s done that too. He came out of retirement and took a fight and defeated Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez who claims to have defeated Pacquiao in their rematch back in 2008 that resulted in a split decision victory over 12 rounds for Pacquiao.
What to do for Mayweather?
What to do?
Since Mayweather has decided to come out of retirement, there has been nothing but sheer bravado and drama that surrounds him. He did something that is somewhat understated in all athletics – he retired at the top and remains undefeated. It’s an astounding feat for an athlete, notably a boxer, to come out of a fight career that spans over 10 years with nothing but wins. But while there is bliss in retirement and self declaration and acknowledgement that it’s over, I’m going to steal a line from Rocky III here. Apollo Creed says to Rocky Balboa, “You hear that? It’s too quiet.” And it’s true about Mayweather and why he came out of retirement. It’s too quiet and as skilled a boxer he has up to this point proven, his outer self is craving to beat the best in Pacquiao and his inner self is only spurring that desire on.
As for personal drama, I think the tax investigation or that he owes taxes cannot be overlooked and is a motivating factor in the amount of money he negotiates should he decide to take any fight.
When you see Mayweather on past episodes of HBO’s 24/7 counting and bathing in cash like he’s printing it in his boxing gym, if I were in the IRS, I’d check that out too. It is timing isn’t it? A boxer with tax problems. Now that’s a cliché biopic screenplay ready to be made. If Micky Ward’s life story can be put on film, I’m sure Mayweather’s life can be as well. So, maybe a film career is also in Mayweather’s future.
But as quickly as Mayweather wants back into the spotlight, which he was granted when he fought against Marquez, I also think he needs two more fights before he can get any okay to fight Pacquiao. This just proves how much a fight with Pacquiao does mean to him – prove yourself again. It can also provide what both he and Pacquiao need - some much needed perspective on whether a fight between the two should even happen.
It’s no mistake that former champion Sugar Shane Mosley interrupted a Mayweather interview to declare that he and Mayweather should fight one another.
I like this matchup.
Earlier this year, Mosley defeated Antonio Margarito with a TKO in the 9th round. Prior to Margarito, he had a notable fight against Ricardo Mayorga that resulted in a 12 round KO. But also, he suffered a loss to Miguel Angel Cotto back in 2007. Mosley and Mayweather should happen. But for now, Mosley will meet against an undefeated Andre Berto in January 2010. The biggest issue I foresee in this fight would be money. Mosley isn’t quite the draw he used to be and given that he’s also getting on in his career, he needs to be just as careful to choose a smart and financially rewarding fight.
Miguel Angel Cotto makes a good match up for Mayweather as well.
In his fight against Mosley, Cotto defeated him over 12 rounds with a unanimous decision. He has an excellent jab and is a physically strong fighter. Considering Cotto’s loss to Pacquiao, I have nothing but respect for the Puerto Rican fighter. He took the fight hard, but as the commentators said, both Cotto and Pacquiao like each other and gave each other mutual respect. If Cotto’s wife and son could no longer watch husband and father take a beating, I don’t think Pacquiao felt any better about it either.
For Floyd “Money” Mayweather, both Mosley and Cotto would serve as good fights and precursors for Mayweather to legitimize his return from retirement. But I also think that Mayweather’s ego does not allow anyone but himself to be the center of attention in the boxing world.
For the moment, for now, Manny “Pacman” is the best pound for pound boxer in the world. At one point, Mayweather was the best and is undefeated. But being the best once is probably not what Mayweather needs now. Mayweather needs to establish himself again as one of the best. He needs to fight Mosley. He needs to fight Cotto. Pacquiao isn’t going anywhere, but I think he’s definitely earned the right to stand back and wait for Mayweather to come to him.
It is only a matter of time and I think Mayweather and Pacquiao will both be ready and waiting to fight the best – EACH OTHER.
After Manny Pacquiao’s dominating victory over Miguel Cotto, not less than a few seconds after the win did Larry Merchant ask both fighter Pacquiao and Trainer Roach what lies ahead. And we all know the question. But I’d like to focus on Pacquiao’s answers.
Go on vacation and spend time with his family. “What’s next,” Merchant insists. It’s up to my promoter Top Rank’s Bob Arum to make that decision. Let’s move on to Trainer Roach’s answer: “Everyone wants to see Pacquiao fight Mayweather.” I like Pacquiao’s answers best – he cannot foretell the future although it’s a fight that MUST happen.
But more importantly, what truly lies ahead is what does Floyd Mayweather, JR., do now?
He can pull a Chuck Liddell and go on Dancing With the Stars. Wait – he’s already done that. In fact, he did it before Chuck Liddell did it. Mayweather can come out of retirement for big money. Oh yeah, he’s done that too. He came out of retirement and took a fight and defeated Mexican fighter Juan Manuel Marquez who claims to have defeated Pacquiao in their rematch back in 2008 that resulted in a split decision victory over 12 rounds for Pacquiao.
What to do for Mayweather?
What to do?
Since Mayweather has decided to come out of retirement, there has been nothing but sheer bravado and drama that surrounds him. He did something that is somewhat understated in all athletics – he retired at the top and remains undefeated. It’s an astounding feat for an athlete, notably a boxer, to come out of a fight career that spans over 10 years with nothing but wins. But while there is bliss in retirement and self declaration and acknowledgement that it’s over, I’m going to steal a line from Rocky III here. Apollo Creed says to Rocky Balboa, “You hear that? It’s too quiet.” And it’s true about Mayweather and why he came out of retirement. It’s too quiet and as skilled a boxer he has up to this point proven, his outer self is craving to beat the best in Pacquiao and his inner self is only spurring that desire on.
As for personal drama, I think the tax investigation or that he owes taxes cannot be overlooked and is a motivating factor in the amount of money he negotiates should he decide to take any fight.
When you see Mayweather on past episodes of HBO’s 24/7 counting and bathing in cash like he’s printing it in his boxing gym, if I were in the IRS, I’d check that out too. It is timing isn’t it? A boxer with tax problems. Now that’s a cliché biopic screenplay ready to be made. If Micky Ward’s life story can be put on film, I’m sure Mayweather’s life can be as well. So, maybe a film career is also in Mayweather’s future.
But as quickly as Mayweather wants back into the spotlight, which he was granted when he fought against Marquez, I also think he needs two more fights before he can get any okay to fight Pacquiao. This just proves how much a fight with Pacquiao does mean to him – prove yourself again. It can also provide what both he and Pacquiao need - some much needed perspective on whether a fight between the two should even happen.
It’s no mistake that former champion Sugar Shane Mosley interrupted a Mayweather interview to declare that he and Mayweather should fight one another.
I like this matchup.
Earlier this year, Mosley defeated Antonio Margarito with a TKO in the 9th round. Prior to Margarito, he had a notable fight against Ricardo Mayorga that resulted in a 12 round KO. But also, he suffered a loss to Miguel Angel Cotto back in 2007. Mosley and Mayweather should happen. But for now, Mosley will meet against an undefeated Andre Berto in January 2010. The biggest issue I foresee in this fight would be money. Mosley isn’t quite the draw he used to be and given that he’s also getting on in his career, he needs to be just as careful to choose a smart and financially rewarding fight.
Miguel Angel Cotto makes a good match up for Mayweather as well.
In his fight against Mosley, Cotto defeated him over 12 rounds with a unanimous decision. He has an excellent jab and is a physically strong fighter. Considering Cotto’s loss to Pacquiao, I have nothing but respect for the Puerto Rican fighter. He took the fight hard, but as the commentators said, both Cotto and Pacquiao like each other and gave each other mutual respect. If Cotto’s wife and son could no longer watch husband and father take a beating, I don’t think Pacquiao felt any better about it either.
For Floyd “Money” Mayweather, both Mosley and Cotto would serve as good fights and precursors for Mayweather to legitimize his return from retirement. But I also think that Mayweather’s ego does not allow anyone but himself to be the center of attention in the boxing world.
For the moment, for now, Manny “Pacman” is the best pound for pound boxer in the world. At one point, Mayweather was the best and is undefeated. But being the best once is probably not what Mayweather needs now. Mayweather needs to establish himself again as one of the best. He needs to fight Mosley. He needs to fight Cotto. Pacquiao isn’t going anywhere, but I think he’s definitely earned the right to stand back and wait for Mayweather to come to him.
It is only a matter of time and I think Mayweather and Pacquiao will both be ready and waiting to fight the best – EACH OTHER.
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