Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather - The Fight That never was

Like many boxing fans around the world I find it hard to explain just how much I was looking forward to the Pacquiao – Mayweather fight. Not since Bernard Hopkins vs. Felix Trinidad in 2001 had I anticipated such a fight, Pacquiao had the P4P crown, a crown relinquished by undefeated Floyd Mayweather when he entered temporary retirement in 2007.

May 2007 In the highest grossing fight of all time pound for pound King Floyd Mayweather Jr overcomes Oscar De La Hoya in a split decision point’s victory to capture the WBC super welterweight title.

Dec 2007 In the battle dubbed someone’s 0 must go; Floyd Mayweather Jr surgically breaks down Manchester’s Ricky Hatton, forcing the British brawler to suffer his first defeat.

The undefeated Floyd Mayweather announces his retirement from the sport, stating he has nothing left to prove.

Dec 2008 Former Flyweight champion Manny Pacquiao climbs to the welterweight division for the first time to face Oscar De La Hoya, and retires the Golden boy at the end of round 8. Oscar has not fought since.

May 2009 In a possible fight of the year candidate, Manny Pacquiao brutally dethrones Ricky Hatton as the Light Welterweight champion of the world and solidifies his status as the number one pound for pound fighter in the absence of Floyd Mayweather Jr. Hatton has not fought since.

Sept 2009 the imminent return of Floyd Mayweather, saw him face the man who gave Manny Pacquiao two of the toughest fights of his career. The undersized Juan Manuel Marquez was out of his depth from the opening bell against an imposing Mayweather, and suffered a heavy one sided point’s defeat.

Nov 2009 Pacquiao puts to bed any doubts regarding his ability to compete with a legitimate welterweight. As Manny Pacquiao gave his post fight interview after his destruction of Miguel Cotto, you could hear the chants of "Mayweather" coming from those in attendance at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. The crowd were responding to the question put to him during his ringside interview. The fight seemed inevitable; especially seeing how well the pound for pound king had just took apart a true welterweight.

We all know the circus that developed over the next few months, in short the fight could not be made. The promoters denied us the most anticipated fights in years, as if that was not enough they delivered one last slap in the face of every boxing fan when they planned rival pay-per-view cards on March 13th, in the hope the circus continued with all the drama that would proceed with fans comparing the PPV numbers.

We can blame the promoters and justifiably, but the fighters themselves are not without blame. When all is said and done it comes down to the fighter as it’s he who can make the fight happen. Can you Imaging Aaron Pryor - Alexis Arguello walking away from such a fight. What if Julio Cesar Chavez never gave Meldrick Taylor the opportunity in 1994. Or any of the famous battles between the infamous quartet of Hagler, Duran, Leonard and Hearns during the 80’s who moved heaven and earth to get in the ring with each other. It’s time today’s fighters ditched the suits and laced em’ up.

Source: theboxinghistorian.com