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Megafight Crumbling: Floyd Mayweather JR Threatens Pull Out of Manny Pacquiao Showdown
By Geno McGahee-December 16, 2009

In boxing, absolutely nothing is certain. Fights are signed, sealed, and then never get delivered. In the biggest fight in the past ten years, certain obstacles have to be overcome. Egos are colliding, arguments about money and billing arise, and both believe that they have a bigger stake in the matter and should be given preferential treatment.

According to a source very close to the situation, Floyd Mayweather, JR., has threatened to pull out of the March showdown with Manny Pacquiao over a weight issue. Apparently the weight of the meeting has been established, but the wiggle room that Floyd allegedly wants is being contested by Team Pacquiao. In his bout with Juan Manuel Marquez, Floyd came in heavy and paid for it financially, but others contend that Marquez paid for it in the ring, losing badly. Pacquiao does not want to face a fighter a division or so heavier than he is and has rightfully protested.

With the Manny Pacquiao bout in limbo, other options have been mentioned but these appear to be negotiation tactics. Reportedly, Mayweather’s camp has suggested that an in between bout would take place in March against a much lesser foe, perhaps a Yuri Foreman or Matthew Hatton and after that, should Pacquiao not accept the terms, a bout with the winner of the Shane Mosley – Andre Berto fight could be in the wings.

Although other options have been mentioned, expect this fight to stay on course and occur. There is far too much money involved and they have agreed on the most important specifics…the cash divide. Now we are in the bickering stage of the negotiations and expect more and more little things blown out of proportion and turned into big deals.

Manny Pacquiao has cleaned up boxing, removing Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Miguel Cotto from the big picture. There is no other fight for Floyd at this time and there is not many more options for Pacquiao either.

Pacquiao, should the fight with Floyd fall through, could fight Joshua Clottey, Zab Judah, the winner of Berto-Mosley, or move up again and challenge a guy like Yuri Foreman, a light hitter that gets hit too much…a perfect opponent for Manny should he attempt to go up in weight again, but NOBODY wants to see any of these alternatives. The boxing fans want this fight and when they want something this badly, the promoters will jump through all necessary hoops to make it possible.

When Muhammad Ali and George Foreman seemed like an impossible match up to make, Don King found a way. He lied, manipulated, and stroked the egos of both men, made them both feel like they were getting preferential treatment, when it was an equal deal. That is the mentality that should and will go into this promotion as both men are dealt with and both egos are soothed.

Floyd Mayweather, JR’s reported behavior may also have to due with nerves as he goes into the biggest challenge of his career and frustration may also be a factor. For years, nobody could share the spotlight with Floyd as he stood atop the pound for pound list. He would go into fights with popular fighters, but nobody realistically saw a chance that he would lose.

With Manny entering the picture, we have a real force that adjusts to every situation and finds a way to win, knocking out men that are talented and durable, and sending a statement to Floyd…one that he has received.

The day that Pacquiao took on and destroyed Ricky Hatton, Floyd Mayweather held a press conference announcing his return to boxing and his upcoming contest with Marquez. Part of it was positioning himself in line to take on Pacquiao, but part of it was also anger that people could actually think that the Filipino destroyer could actually defeat him.

Once this latest obstacle is ironed out and both parties are appeased, we will see this bout take place and we should see a modern day Pernell Whitaker – Julio Cesar Chavez sort of bout with the same amount of “experts” splitting down the middle. The fan bases of both men will fill the arena and they may not be able to find a place large enough to fit all of the fans that desperately want to see this bout.

This is why this fight is going to take place…despite the latest news of Floyd pulling out. Boxing is about dollars and sense and Floyd has always treated the sport like a business. He realized that he would get comparable money to take on Carlos Baldomir vice Antonio Margarito. The public didn’t have faith in Margarito at that time and accepted Baldomir just the same. There will be a huge backlash from the public if Floyd takes on anyone other than Pacquiao at this time, and when you look at the persona that he has created for himself, regardless of what the facts may be, the people will believe that he is ducking this challenge.

Floyd has made himself the villain and there are those that desperately want to see him lose for his continual disrespect of his opponents and selective matchmaking at times. No other fighter is as threatening as Pacquiao and no fighter is more popular at this time. This fight has to happen and it will. So don’t panic yet people. This issue should be resolved rather quickly. Stay tuned to RSR for the continued breaking news of the building of this super fight.

 

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