Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Dream Fight Is Too Risky for Elite Boxers
With Floyd Mayweather dispatching of Miguel Cotto, and Manny Pacquiao just a few weeks from doing the same to Timothy Bradley, the inevitable talk of the super fight between the two best in the business is already getting started.
As much as fans all over the world would love to see a boxing match of this caliber, there is a real feeling around the sport that the risk is not worth the reward for either man.
Forget the talk of money and legacies; this comes down to not wanting to lose.
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Neither man knows who would win for certain, with both men designed to beat the other, but the risk of losing would be devastating. With the clock ticking on the boxing legends’ careers, a loss for either man would be the everlasting image for most people.
After 43 fights in his career, Floyd Mayweather sits at 43-0 with no losses and no draws; that’s as impressive as you could ever imagine. A fight against Pac-Man would seriously jeopardize that record, though.
Mayweather is very confident in his ability, but he is not indestructible. If Miguel Cotto showed the fans anything in their bout on Saturday, May 5, it was that there is a template to beat Money Mayweather.
While none of the previous stars in the boxing world were able to capitalize on the opportunities Mayweather leaves, Pacquiao isn’t a normal fighter. With more power and speed than Floyd is used to, the possibility of a loss would destroy Mayweather’s perfect legacy.
That’s a risk not worth taking for the undefeated star.
Manny Pacquiao
For Manny Pacquiao, the fight with Mayweather would be the only way to prove to the doubters that he is the pound-for-pound best boxer in the world. While a loss would do far less damage to a boxing career that already has a few losses on it, Manny is more than just a boxer.
Not only is Pac-Man a mainstream star in the United States, the boxing sensation is a national hero in the Philippines. A loss to Mayweather would throw his celebrity status into jeopardy.
Pacquiao will remain confident that he can beat Mayweather, and Floyd will do the same, but both men realize that the possibility for a loss is there. That inkling of doubt is enough to ensure that this fight never happens.
Sorry boxing fans.
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