Friday, September 3

Floyd "Unanimous Decision" Mayweather Shows True Colors, More Fear

Yesterday, Floyd "Unanimous Decision" Mayweather, Jr., released a racist and profanity-filled diatribe against the current WBO World Welterweight Champion, Manny Pacquiao. The video, which you can watch below, features Mayweather sounding off via webcam, and includes the following highlights…er, rather, lowlights:
  • "As soon as we come off vacation, we're going to cook that little yellow chump."
  • "Once I kick the midget a**, I don't want you all to jump on my d***.
  • "Once I stomp the midget, I'll make that mother f***** make me a sushi roll and cook me some rice." (Last time I checked, Pacquiao was Filipino, not Japanese)
  • "That mother f***** Pacquiao, he can't speak no English."
Floyd gives a whole new meaning to the term "classy." And in my opinion, he also gives a different meaning to the word "champion" because a true champion would never waste so much time with the antics that consume Mayweather.

If you are unfamiliar with the history between Mayweather and Pacquiao, let me catch you up. The two boxers are undoubtedly the biggest stars in the dying sport. Fans, analysts, and fellow boxers all agree that pitting the two fighters against each other would legitimately solve the "greatest boxer of the generation" debate. Furthermore, for many that believe that Pacquiao is truly the better boxer, it would present an opportunity for someone to shut Mayweather's big mouth. But the blockbuster showdown has been delayed for quite awhile because of Mayweather's egotistical demands.

As of this past January, the two were set to meet in a March bout. However, as a clause in the deal, Mayweather demanded that both fighters agree to random blood and urine tests leading up to the fight. Pacquiao agreed to the urine testing, but did not see eye-to-eye on the blood testing, so the negotiations failed.

Both Pacquiao and Mayweather took new fights and defeated their opponents--Pacquiao over Joshua Clottey and Mayweather over "Sugar" Shane Mosley. After Pacquiao's fight, his camp was ready to reenter negotiations with Mayweather. After refusing to the blood testing a second time, Pacquiao and his crew finally agreed to the controversial blood testing leading up to the fight. In the interest of making the fight happen, Pacquiao put aside his concern that giving blood too close to the fight day would weaken him. Mayweather was given a deadline to sign the deal and, evidently, never inked his name. Pacquiao, fed up with the shenanigans, has since agreed to fight Antonio Margarito for the vacant WBC Super Welterweight title.

After the failed negotiations, Mayweather conducted a smear campaign of Pacquiao, claiming that the fighter would not submit to Olympic-level testing because he was taking "power pellets" (banned substances). Pacquiao, whether guilty of taking them or not, has continued to deny the allegations (for the record, Pacquiao has never failed a drug test). I simply don't understand what Mayweather wants; Olympic style testing is more rigorous than typical the standard tests of state athletic commissions. Like I mentioned earlier, Olympic style testing involves random blood and urine testing leading up to the fight, as well as after the fight. On the other hand, state commission testing usually only includes urine tests to detect banned substances once before the fight and immediately after the fight. Wouldn't these tests suffice for Mayweather? Apparently not.

I think Mayweather's demands are born from two things. First, his incredible ego. Floyd has been the most arrogant boxer in the sport for as long as I can remember. We will never know if Floyd seriously thinks that Pacman is juicing. But as long as the promotion features Floyd's name, and as long as Floyd is putting his flawless record on the line, Floyd wants the fight on his terms. He doesn't care if Pacquiao will probably pass the tests. He doesn't care if the standard athletic commission tests will suffice. He wants it his way or the highway. And the highway means no fight.

The second reason why Mayweather made the demands, and the more pertinent reason, is because Mayweather is scared! Mayweather calls himself a champion. He calls himself the greatest of all time. He is literally on the record as declaring himself a better fighter than Muhammad Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson. Mayweather said, "Muhammad Ali was one hell of a fighter, but Floyd Mayweather is the best." Ok then, Floyd, if you are the greatest ever, why don't you prove it and beat Pacquiao using the same drug testing that you have used YOUR WHOLE CAREER? A champion would never back down from a challenge and would never dance around a fight in this fashion. I think it all boils down to the fact that Mayweather knows there is a high chance that he gets beat by Pacquiao. And once he gets beaten, Mayweather's career no longer has the leverage needed to lay claim to being the greatest ever. As of right now, Mayweather is undefeated, 41-0. But the boxing community will not validate his career until he beats the Pacman, which he will not do. So instead Mayweather is playing charades and trying to blame Pacquiao for delaying/jeopardizing the fight.

The difference, from a boxing standpoint, between the two fights is clear. Mayweather is a ridiculously skilled technician in the ring. He is an artist with the gloves and can box his way to a victory, via decision, on any night and against anyone. But did you notice the clause in the previous sentence? "Via decision." Sure, Floyd is a great fighter with the best game plans and approach, but he is a point boxer, not a finisher. He is not dynamic enough to finish fights on a consistent basis. Meanwhile, Pacquiao is. And Floyd knows that. And Floyd is scared of that.

In his past six victories, Mayweather has achieved five of those by decision (four unanimous and one split). In two of his past six victories, Mayweather fought someone that Pacquiao also fought in one of his past four fights. But the fighters managed to defeat those mutual opponents in different fashions. While Mayweather defeated Hatton with a 10th round TKO, Pacquiao embarrassed Hatton with a knockout in the 2nd round. I saw the fight live. It was a blowout. Pacquiao did not take a couple rounds to get into a groove. He didn't need to test Hatton at all. He dominated. Likewise, Pacquiao finished Oscar De La Hoya with an 8th round TKO, whereas Mayweather needed the judges to bail him out with a split decision. I watched both fights and it was apparent that one fighter (Pacquiao) fights aggressively while another fighter (Mayweather) fights passively. Mayweather is content with winning on the score cards, but Pacquiao will not let him do that.

If this fight ever occurs, Floyd is in for a rude awakening. I predict an 11th round knockout by Pacquiao. Here's the video for anyone who can tolerate Floyd's inflated ego...

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