Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather: Why We Should Not Order the Pay-Per-View

Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather.

I want to see this fight. You want to see this fight. We all want to see this fight.

But we should boycott Pacquiao vs. Mayweather should it ever happen.

Everyone involved with this fight has let us down time and time again. There is no one person to blame because it is the entire lot of them. Why should we pay the premium cost for a pay-per-view broadcast and reward them for failing us? It makes no sense.

We are rewarding them. We are telling the promoters that no matter what they do to us, we will pay the price and line their pockets. By giving them millions upon millions of dollars, we are telling them that this is the best way to do business. Screw over the consumer and become rich in the process.

After years of failed negotiations, we are not even receiving the best possible fight. Both men are beyond their prime. Both men are on the backside of their careers. Do not take that the wrong way. Both are still exceptional fighters and are better than most everyone else, but that does not make my statement inaccurate.

Should we not demand fights among the best during their primes? The UFC's willingness to deliver these fights is a big reason fans have gravitated towards mixed martial arts and taken away a large portion of the combat sport market share.

Over the years we have waited, we have heard the analysts break the fight down, tell us why it must happen and even how it will “save” boxing. But to this day neither side has been close to accepting terms and signing on the dotted line. Every sport other than boxing delivers us the best against the best.

They give us the games, matches and fights that we want to see. They recognize that the fans drive their business and they want to appease us. Boxing makes no such gesture. In part because we, the consumer, still dig into our wallets. Sure, we complain about it, but that is background noise to the cash register in their ears.

If we were to take a stand on the biggest stage boxing has ever put on, they would be forced to listen. Forced to recognize a game has changed. Forced to adjust their business model to put on the fights that fans want. No more ducking. No more multi-year waits to deliver the fights we want. By boycotting this potential PPV we would send a clear message to all promoters.

Ultimately it is the consumers that have the power. Without our PPV purchases, the promoters are not hand-over-fist in money. That is where they will feel the effects. That is where the damage needs to be done.

But let’s get real, if the fight is signed this is all a pipe dream. I will still order the fight. You will still order the fight. And nothing will change in boxing, and it is our fault.