Manny Pacquiao: 10 Reasons He Might Not Want to Fight Floyd Mayweather

Manny Pacquiao (53-3-2, 38 KOs) has accomplished more than most boxers ever get to do. On November 12, he gets to finish one last piece of the puzzle against Juan Manuel Marquez (53-5-1, 39 KOs), or does he?

There's one name that is forever connected to his own, regardless of how much Pacquiao grows tired of it. That name is Floyd Mayweather (42-0, 26 KOs).

Mayweather is the ultimate defensive force in boxing, while Pacquiao has become the ultimate offensive force in the game.

They are connected by similar opponents, the hopes and wishes of the general public and the fate of boxing. But is that enough to make the fight happen?

While the reasons why Mayweather may not want to face Pacquiao have been explored by various authors, reasons as to why Pacquiao may be reluctant to take the fight are not nearly as widely discussed.

So without further ado, here are 10 reasons Pacquiao may not want to face Mayweather.

10. Mayweather's Timing

When Pacquiao saw his greatest rival reduced to a slow fighter, punching at the air instead of Mayweather's jaw or body, he must have wondered if Mayweather was that skilled, or whether Marquez was too small.

Marquez did have to hop two divisions, from 135 to 147, just to face Mayweather, but something deep down inside of Pacquiao, and Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach, says that Mayweather has nearly perfect timing.

No matter how fast Pacquiao is, he may get timed and then tagged as he misses punches, similar to how Sugar Ray Leonard clowned Roberto Duran.

9. Mayweather's Size

Pacquiao is a great little fighter, standing at 5'6 1/2. His reach is 67 inches. An old saying in boxing states that a great big man beats a great little man every time.

Pacquiao spent the past three years disproving this message, but most of his opponents have been significantly speed-challenged.

Enter Mayweather, someone with nearly equal speed, if not faster, and who stands at 5' 8" and has a 72 inch reach.

Speed is one thing, but speed and size is a totally different beast, one that Pacquiao has yet to face.

8. No Motivation

Pacquiao has already been given a great amount of credit for beating many of Mayweather's previous high profile opponents in a more exciting fashion.

Pacquiao knocked out De La Hoya in eight rounds and Hatton in two. Mayweather went the distance with De La Hoya and knocked out Hatton in 10.

If the two don't fight, the public will naturally blame Mayweather, his bad guy public persona has damaged his image to the point that no one would consider Pacquiao to possibly be at fault.

Because of his newfound popularity, and exciting fight style, Pacquiao is earning a million-plus pay-per-view sales against any opponent of his choice, and endorsement deals out the wazoo.

Pacquiao's public image is one of a squeaky clean everyman who rose from poverty to become the man, it's an ultimate rags to riches story.

A Mayweather fight isn't worth pursuing if Pacquiao retains the benefits of beating Mayweather—without taking the risk of losing to Mayweaher.

7. Despises Mayweather

Mayweather has talked trash about Pacquiao for at least two and half years, making not-so-subtle accusations that Pacquiao is using performance enhancement drugs.

Mayweather is a flashy character who burns money (literally) for no reason, other than the mere enjoyment of showing off his affluence.

Though Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach would like nothing more than to pound the greedy smirk from off his face, there's a strong possibility they don't believe it's possible.

If Pacquiao went into this big match against the constantly bragging mouth of Mayweather and couldn't shut him up, Pacquiao would likely feel a great deal of regret that he added something else for Mayweather to brag about.

6. Pacquiao's Finances

Pacquiao vs Mayweather represents the big finale of both men's careers. Though they both likely need to face each other and retire already, boxers are not known for their ability to retire easily (ex: Leonard, Ali).

Pacquiao's name has grown to where Arum and company actually believe a Timothy Bradley match is a product that the general public will buy.

Whether they do or not isn't important, but the notion that Pacquiao can make buttloads of money no matter his opponent IS important.

Joshua Clottey was relatively unknown to the average observer, yet that pay-per-view sold over 700,000 views. That was on short notice, and without a 24/7 to sell the fight.

With Pacquiao's reputation only growing with time and talk show appearances, average pay-per-view sales of a million or more are likely to continue, so long as he doesn't lose to Mayweather.

Everyone loves to talk about the money he'll gain against Mayweather, but what about the money he'd lose against easier opponents?

Arum has a long list of foes who stand very little chance against Pacquiao. A 70 percent to 90 percent share of the fight purse against two or three of those guys could possibly take the place, if not top, the 50 percent he'd get in a Mayweather fight.

5. Mayweather's Counterpunching

A boxer is more likely to be knocked out by a small punch he doesn't see, rather than a ginormous hit he sees coming.

Mayweather's fists have been said to be brittle and lacking of punching power at the welterweight level, but his two most famous knockouts at welterweight against Hatton and Ortiz occurred for one reason, they didn't see it coming.

Hatton was frustrated with Mayweather's tactics and adjustment to his fighting style, so he charged toward Mayweather in the corner of the ring.

Mayweather was able to slip him and counter with a left that Hatton couldn't see in all his rage. Hatton was hit and fell forward toward the ring post and then down.

He would get up again, but the damage was done, and it was only a matter of time before a rare Mayweather flurry would take him out after Mayweather smelled British blood.

Ortiz is a more infamous case, where Mayweather was headbutted and hit Ortiz as he had his hands down apologizing.

Pacquiao won't be knocked out or stunned the way those men were, but Pacquiao is aggressive and open. Mayweather is known for his ability to pick apart this type of opponent.

4. Pacquiao Waiting

Mayweather is two years older than Pacquiao. At age 34 he looks good, but he takes more hits than usual.

In the Ortiz fight, Mayweather looked impeccable, but Ortiz was able to land a left here and there.

If Ortiz can land, surely Pacquiao can land more. The misconception by many is that Pacquiao will age faster, because he's taken more damage than Mayweather over the course of his career.

Mayweather depends on his legs and reflexes more than many realize. He has to be able to move. His maneuvers take split-second decision making, and against Pacquiao he'll have to be precise as he's ever been.

If Mayweather is off by a second, a Pacquiao punch that might normally not have landed, will. That one punch could be the extra punch that leads to an extra punch that leads to an extra punch that leads to a TKO win for Pac-Man.

Every year hurts Mayweather's timing, but not necessarily Pacquiao's punching power. The slower Mayweather moves, the more Pacquiao is benefited.

If Pacquiao waits just long enough, he'll be young enough to retain his speed and power and Mayweather will be old enough to move slower than necessary to avoid Pacquiao's meanest shots.

3. Roach, Arum

Roach knows Pacquiao as a fighter more than anyone ever will. He's trained him for years.

Bob Arum has managed Pacquiao for just as long, and he managed Mayweather even longer before Mayweather bought out his own contract to become a free agent.

Roach trained a seemingly rejuvenated De La Hoya to face Mayweather. He knows what facing Mayweather is like.

Together, Roach and Arum might have come to the conclusion that Pacquiao should steer away from Mayweather, either for awhile or maybe even his whole career.

When Mayweather started the steroid accusations, Arum and Roach found their way out. Mayweather's reputation is hurt to the point that no one would ever believe him or take his drug-testing crusade seriously.

The plan to keep Pacquiao from losing in the final stretch of his career is complete.

Arum can tout Pacquiao as one of his top modern fighters, Roach can tout Pacquiao's accomplishments as his own and Pacquiao's career ends on a long winning streak.

2. Mayweather's Defense

Mayweather's defense has changed, evolved and adapted over time to his opponent, weight class, limitations and various ever-changing situations.

One thing that can never be said about his career is that he was ever truly damaged. He was in a war with Demarcus Corley and he's bled before, but Mayweather will never leave the ring looking mauled.

Pacquiao may have rearranged the faces of such slow individuals as Margarito and an older De La Hoya, but Mayweather will not be that slow or that easy a target to land on.

Mayweather is a man of many tricks and unpredictable measures that Pacquiao couldn't possibly prepare for.

Freddie Roach's strategic mind may not be able to come up with the best gameplan to break boxing's best defense.

1. Pacquiao's Countrymen

Manny Pacquiao is a hero in his country. He's one who can beat anyone and do anything. He can sing, act and be a politician, all while pummeling big mean men from America and Mexico.

In reality, Pacquiao is a mere man, and every man has a Kryptonite that can melt the "S" on their chest that the media and the fans spray paint on.

Despite everything that Pacquiao has done, he hasn't faced a Mayweather, ever. Nothing could prepare him for the cold reality that Mayweather can deliver at his best.

If Mayweather loses, his heroic stature among his Filipino people may fall in the aftermath. It's quite possible, and if it does, Pacquiao could lose some of his drawing power and even his political elections.

Much of the political process that nails votes is voter euphoria. Voters get a sudden burst of hope that the candidate they see or hear will bring about change, so they run or drive down to the polls to cast their vote.

Part of Pacquiao's voter euphoria is inevitably his boxing career. His endless stream of wins over the past three years, against bigger men who were supposed to crush him, inspire his people.

A loss to someone such as Mayweather would muddle the image and destroy the perception that Pacquiao can do anything. With that perception gone, his people may have second thoughts.

Man is fickle, and their support even more so.