Why Manny Pacquiao Should Hold Off Fighting Floyd Mayweather Jr.

I'm not here to argue that a fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. is not what the world wants to see. I will not argue that this is a fight the sport badly needs.

That said, this is not an article that is taking a side on who is to blame if the fight does not happen.

This is an article on why I think the boxing world will benefit from a delay.

We all know that Pacquiao is who he is today because he has steamrolled over great boxer after great boxer, and in several weight classes. He has beaten classy champions—and that's the key...CLASS.

All the great opponents Pacquiao has beaten have been heroes of some sort. Like Pacquiao, they all had to be ambassadors for what is good about the sport for their respective nations.

The Great Mexicans like Barrera and Morales, Ricky Hatton for Great Britain, Miguel Cotto for Puerto Rico, and even Oscar De La Hoya, who Americans were proud to call their own.

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is all about not having class. That's who he is. That's how he got where he is now. This is not an insult by any means. In fact, I believe it is a legitimate approach.

He plays with his opponents minds to get them off track by shooting out insults. He promotes a fight by infuriating fans enough that they pay $54.95 and hopes he gets beat up.

My friends, actions have shown that Manny Pacquiao may not be ready for this. His lawsuit already shows he is a bit irked. And to think he already has the leverage of being the one who needs the fight a lot less than Pretty Boy Floyd does.

Manny will come in angry and aggressive. Not a good mindset when going up against a frustrating defensive fighter. Not to mention this happens to be one of the best defensive fighters in history. 

It is no accident that Paulie Malignaggi's name has come up as a replacement if negotiations fall through. Here is a guy that that talks so much trash that Pacquiao may be able to gain an immunity against trash talking and mind games.

Manny will have to chase Paulie around the ring. Perhaps this can help Manny be patient. Malignaggi will be the most intelligent fighter Manny will have ever faced, and the best part for Pacquiao is that Malignaggi has no punching power.

It would be a sparring match that earns Manny millions while preparing himself mentally for Floyd Mayweather Jr. 

While Manny picks up his $15M paycheck, Floyd Mayweather Jr. might be finishing off a $5M fight against Zab Judah on HBO's "Boxing After Dark". By that point he may have realized what opening his big mouth cost him.

Negotiations for the fight will be smoother, as Floyd keeps his mouth shut until after negotiations. He'll let loose again during the press conference, where a more mentally prepared Pacquiao is able to understand, and maybe even respect, why Floyd does what he does.

There you have it! Both fighters will be entering the ring at their best mental and physical state with the ability to showcase their best to the world—and isn't that what we all want?