Manny Pacquiao: Why Dodging Floyd Mayweather Fight Will Ruin Chance of Greatness

The everlasting waiting game continues between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

Instead of throwing fists and exchanging punches, both sides continue to throw insults. Rather than dancing around the ring, both men keep dancing around one of the most anticipated boxing bouts in the history of the sport.

Whether the world feels that Pacquiao is avoiding Mayweather or vice versa, a match of this magnitude must happen for the legacy of both men, as well as the sport of boxing.

In the words of Ric Flair, "To be the man, you've got to be beat the man." And as of right now, Floyd Mayweather is the man.

Mayweather sits on top of the boxing food chain with an undefeated record of 43-0 and the WBC Welterweight champion. The debate can continue on who is avoiding who, but it's a bit asinine arguing against the resumé of Mayweather.

Because of that, Pacquiao needs this fight more than Mayweather.

If both men retired from boxing tomorrow, Mayweather can walk away with his head held high. He might leave with a label as a "bad guy" in and out the ring, but an undefeated record and being an eight-time world champion speaks louder than anything else.

Pacquiao, on the other hand, must establish himself as the best by beating Mayweather.

Sitting on a 54-3-2 record and being a six-time world champion is quite impressive. Pacquiao has gone through his classic bouts against fighters like Shane Mosley, Oscar De La Hoya and a three-fight series against Érik Morales, but Floyd Mayweather is the one who will solidify his legacy as one of the all-time greats.

A cloud might hang over the head of Mayweather if this fight never happens, but it will definitely be present for Pacquiao. Both of these men stand alone over their competition, but it's time for the best to be separated from the rest.

Pacquiao will fight Timothy Bradley on June 9th, 2012, and he will more than likely win that bout. But no fight matters unless the headline reads "Pacquiao vs. Mayweather."