Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Why Historic Fight Is Just a Pipe Dream

No matter how much we want it, Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao is never going to happen. 

Forget about how popular this fight would be. Forget about how much money both guys stand to make. Forget about how it would finally determine the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

There are just too many obstacles.

Let's take a further look at those obstacles that make this fight simply a pipe dream. 

Retirement

It's still a big unknown as to where Pacquiao will go after his June 9 fight with Timothy Bradley, but it's clear retirement is at least one of the options.

Back in March, Pacquiao told a reporter that God wants him to retire after his upcoming fight. His camp, of course, said that wasn't true. Still though, you at least know the idea is on Pac-Man's mind.

Throw in his increased involvement with politics, and there's no question that Manny has more important things on his slate than entertaining his beloved boxing fans. 

On the other side of the ring, Mayweather, 35, said he was leaning towards retirement after his win over Miguel Cotto last month. 

It's certainly possible that both of these guys are just blowing smoke up our behinds, and one of them will continue fighting, but the fact that both are so close means the chances of them meeting up are even lower. 

Money

Both fighters stand to make a ridiculous amount of money should they meet up, and that's why you can't count out this fight, but Mayweather's inability to agree on an even split is a big holdup. 

Money May is unwilling to give Pacquiao—or anyone for that matter—an even 50-50 split, and if that doesn't happen, don't expect a fight. 

The Test

Pacquiao is willing to do a urine test, but according to Mayweather, Pac-Man's unwillingness to do it at a random time makes this fight a no-no.

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In a response that eventually drew applause from his entourage, Mayweather once again said it is "basic common sense" that Pacquiao has used performance-enhancing drugs and getting in the ring with him would be a risk to his future health.

"Health is more important than anything," Mayweather said. "Because guess what? When my career is over, if I'm hurt because of something that has happened in a fight, I can't come to you and say, 'I need (money).' "

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In reality, all of these issues are big factors, but when it comes down to it, neither fighter wants to put their impressive resume up against the "other" best boxer in the world. You can't really blame them for that, as they've already proved nearly as much to us as possible, but you can be mad at them for not giving us the Fight of the Century. 

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