Why Manny Pacquiao Owes His Success to Floyd Mayweather

While much has been made of a potential Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao superfight, I think it is time for us to step back a bit and rewind to June of 2008. This was the time that Floyd Mayweather announced his "retirement" from the sport of boxing. This also happens to be the most important event in Manny Pacquiao's boxing career, and he should be forever thankful for Floyd's actions. Had Floyd not decided to temporarily hang up his gloves, Manny wouldn't be where he is today. 

Prior to the De La Hoya vs. Pacquiao fight, which put Manny on the map and launched him to boxing superstardom, a bout that seems to have largely been forgotten about by the public was scheduled for September 20, 2008. This was supposed to be the date for the rematch between Floyd and Oscar De La Hoya. The rematch was contingent upon Oscar winning a fight against Stevie Forbes in May, which he did. The contracts were signed and the bout was ready to go forward, but suddenly Mayweather decided to walk away and hang up the gloves. 

When "Money" Mayweather walked away from the fight game it cleared the way for Oscar to fight Manny Pacquiao, a fight which undoubtedly is the biggest win of Manny's career. Let's think for a second what would've happened had Floyd not stepped away and given Manny this opportunity. First, Floyd almost assuredly wins a rematch with Oscar, likely by a wider margin than their first clash. Floyd probably would've gone on to fight against Shane Mosley or Miguel Cotto, two guys who Manny later faced and soundly defeated, but likely wouldn't have faced if he hadn't beaten Oscar first.  

Where would Pacquiao's career be had Floyd Mayweather not walked away in June of '08?

Prior to the De La Hoya fight, Manny had never even weighed in at the lightweight limit of 135 pounds. There is absolutely no way he would've stepped all the way up to welterweight to face anyone but De La Hoya, seeing as the risk wouldn't have been worth the reward against anyone but Oscar. And had Manny not stepped up to fight Oscar, how would he have known he could compete at welterweight or even higher? His fights against Mosley, Cotto, Clottey, and Margarito, all world class opponents, would have never taken place.

All of those wins against those fighters have vaulted Manny to all-time great status. Had he never gotten the chance to fight Oscar, Manny's plans would've likely not changed and he would have stayed between 130-135 pounds, instead of being the full-fledged welterweight that he is today, which also happens to be the weight class with the biggest money fights in the sport. And let's not forget that Manny's popularity in the Philippines after his victory over Oscar reached incomprehensible status, allowing him to successfully be elected to the Filipino Congress; not bad for a kid with a 7th grade education.   

Manny Pacquiao has won titles in eight weight classes. He has beaten over a dozen world champions, has become a household name all over the globe, and is a member of Congress in his native Philippines. He has but one person to thank for all of the success he has achieved over the past three years: Floyd "Money" Mayweather, for had he not cancelled his rematch against Oscar in 2008, Manny Pacquiao would never be where he is today.