Following Pacquiao’s complete decimation of Miguel Cotto in yesterday’s “fight”, the thought of a Pacquiao-Mayweather fight has the casual fight fan absolutely crazed right now. Pacquiao has been absolutely ruthless since his second victory over Juan Manuel Marquez back in 2008. In the past year and a half, Pac-man has been tearing through big-name opponents from De La Hoya to Hatton to Cotto, and has raised his stock to an unbelievable level in the process. Much to Floyd Mayweather’s (and everyone’s) surprise, Pacquiao now owns the most coveted title in boxing; its biggest draw.
That’s right everyone…Pacquiao now owns the proud title of boxing’s biggest name value. Higher than Mayweather, and no one else is even close (apologies to Shane Mosley and Bernard Hopkins). That was the biggest gain that Pacquiao achieved in his victory last night. Another belt? Really? Does a 7th title really matter when the man has won 6 belts already? Sure you can say that he now owns the record for belts in most weight classes, but boxing fans all know how little that really means in this age of a billion different weight classes. His value as a FIGHTER is no more higher now than if the fight against Cotto would’ve been a non-title bout. His value as a BRAND, however, was lifted to an entirely new place last night.
Whether Floyd wants to believe it or not, Pacquiao now owns the most famous boxing name in the world. He was already a star to everyone who followed the sport of boxing, but now even casual sports fan will hear the name and recognize it. And contrary to Mayweather, the public WANTS to embrace Pacquiao as a star. Pacquiao is humble, caters to his fans, cares about his heritage and homeland, and isn’t afraid of the limelight. He is the perfect personality to bring this sport up, an Anti-Mayweather if you will. Someone who the public will rally around and actually cheer for.
So my opinion of a potential Pacquiao-Mayweather fight? Not only will it happen, it HAS to happen. It has to happen for this sport to save itself and help give it some life. This is the first time in years that we’ve had two fighters, fighting in the same weight class, with personalities like this. Fighters who are both charismatic for the marketing side of things and actually tremendous boxers on top of that, the two best fighters in the world. The last time that the two best fighters in the world (with any real marketing value) faced off? 1999, Evander Holyfield and Lennox Lewis. That’s right…10 years ago. I was a freshman in high school then…a loooong time ago. Not only will the financial ramifications be absolutely insane, it makes no sense for the two best fighters in the business, in their respective primes, at relatively young ages, to NOT fight. The future of the sport really depends on it.
Oh, and if you haven’t noticed, Pacquiao’s name always got top billing whenever I mentioned their potential bout. That was not an accident if you were wondering.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:08 am
good post. pacman-mayweather's gonna be huge. I keep doubting the little guy and he keeps proving me wrong. I really hope they get that PPV together in a hurry. it's gonna sell 1 million+ ppv easily.
i just wonder whether miguel cotto is fully recovered from antonio margarito's load gloves. yeah i said it. margarito's gloves (although never proven) were definitely loaded against cotto.
that doesn't take anything away from last night's night however. cotto showed heart but pacquiao showed he is the world's pound-for-pound king.
November 16th, 2009 at 5:17 am
If they don't manage to sell that fight look for the winner of berto vs. mosley in january to fight manny next. For those that have not seen Berto this guy is a younger mayweather and guess what? He's even coached by Floyd Mayweather sr., not roger, who should be praised for teaching his son's style of defensive fighting.
Who knows if mayweather wants to get in the ring for that fight especially after coming off of one fight out of his retirement but the money just might be to great. This draw will be bigger then de la hoya mayweather and you could bring that statement all the way to the bank.
Everyone will get paid and it'll be a wonderful draw, the winner will lay claim to the top prize which is to see who is the world's best pound for pound.