The potential super-fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. has seen its better days. From inception to near completion, the entire boxing community was abuzz over the “what if” factor and, better yet, there was also the “what’s next” portion of the equation that would presumably follow as well. But all of that has now gone completely out the window—temporarily I hope—and we have a new set of attracting bouts in its place.
For many that followed night and day, our watering mouths couldn’t secure the fight any more than the two fighters at the negotiating tables. Although Pacquiao claims that he is an all out “fans” guy, we have to wonder why he wouldn’t just shut Lil Floyd up once and for all… in the ring. But we’re away from his shadow and we’re not in his shoes. I’m sure every one of us has turned away from ‘something great’ for the supposed ‘greater good’. As much as I hope that the last statement didn’t muddy the water for the readers out there, I would still like to disclose that I believe what the Pacman has done is in the name of his integrity and dedication to the sport that’s paved way for his family and countrymen for generations to come. With Mayweather, he is a prime businessman in a world of gate numbers and
ticket sales. How can we truly lay all the blame on him as if dollar signs never made anyone think twice. And, unfortunately, as much as Pacquiao could’ve agreed to the exhausting terms of the blood test, PBF could’ve stayed on point and just made the fight happen as well. Instead there are multi-million dollar weight penalties and overwhelmed testing regiments.
Whichever fan you may be, the stances will vary and you will find any reasoning you want to back your favorite fighter. In a situation like this, no one wins. Even the audience is split and a lot of the backlash stems from personal ties to their so-called faves, idols, or what have you, and not necessarily what the other figure has specifically done.
This wasn’t the first time a fight of this magnitude has come to shambles, nor will it be the last. Although mega match-ups should never be overlooked, missed connections do happen and they tend to show up when we least expect them. For all we know, Mayweather would never be at this juncture had he stayed retired… and had Pacquiao never challenged GBP front-man Oscar de la Hoya, he would be fighting Marquez a third time instead of taking the welterweight division by storm.
All roads have twists and turns, some even come to fork or a dead end. But just as big fights are made, some equally attractive side notes are tossed out with yesterday’s trash. Today we’ll go over some of the bigger fights that never happened, but should’ve. Pacquiao-Mayweather is not alone and in the land of ‘never was’, these are their neighbors:
Joe Frazier (32-4, 27 ko’s) – Ken Norton (42-7, 33 ko’s):
After Ali lost to Ken and Joe lost to Big George, these two friends outside the ring could’ve duked it for the sake of a rival in it. The biggest underlying story would’ve been that both had been brutally KO’d by Big George.
My pick: Frazier because Norton had ‘issues’ with big punchers.
Aaron Pryor (39-1, 35 ko’s) – Sugar Ray Leonard (36-3, 25 ko’s):
The talk back in the day was that SRL wanted no part of Pryor but it might’ve just been simple disinterest. Weight was also a factor because at welterweight, I believe Pryor is no match, but at light welterweight we might be able to see him eventually over-power Leonard.
My pick is Pryor, SRL would drop him but the latter would get off the canvas to win an entertaining UD.
Sugar Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 ko’s) – Felix “Tito” Trinidad (42-3, 35 ko’s):
Tito was a great boxer/brawler. He knew when to mix it up and when to tatter the other guy with bombs. Sugar Shane shares one similarity—he and Tito both beat Oscar. It was only natural for these two top tier boxers to meet in the ring.
My pick: Mosley
Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 ko’s) – George Foreman (76-5, 68 ko’s):
A brawl for the ages this would’ve been… and many of the “what if”s were in full swing considering Big George had a lengthy career in comparison to most professional prize fighters. Tyson was great if he could catch you, but if he couldn’t, well, the rest is history.
My pick: Foreman via mid-to-late round KO.
Mike Tyson (50-6, 44 ko’s) – David Tua (50-3, 43 ko’s):
After Tyson’s successful comeback and Tua’s entry into the heavyweight circle with the 20 second KO over John Ruiz, the mid-90’s would’ve been perfect for a Tyson-Tua dance. Both are devastating punchers but I think Tua, of whom I’ve never really seen hurt, would take Tyson out in the later rounds. Iron Mike had a tendency to give up when frustrated even though he would presumably be the faster man.
My pick: Tua puts Tyson to sleep via a textbook uppercut down the middle.
Alexis Arguello (82-8, 65 ko’s) – Roberto Duran (103-16, 70 ko’s)
El Flaco would definitely be busier but Duran had more tricks in his bag. I believe he would’ve even beat Aaron Pryor despite his granite chin.
My pick: Duran and the deciding factor would be body work.
Alexis Arguello (82-8, 65 ko’s) – Roberto Duran (103-16, 70 ko’s)
El Flaco would definitely be busier but Duran had more tricks in his bag. I believe he would’ve even beat Aaron Pryor despite his granite chin.
My pick: Duran and the deciding factor would be body work.
Prince Naseem Hamed (36-1, 31 ko’s) – Erik Morales (48-6, 34 ko’s):
Hamed seemed to lose faith in himself after the showboating and scare tactics failed on Barrera, who had a fantastic trilogy with Morales. Erik was still a crisp, powerful puncher back then and I think that Hamed would actually be down for the count.
My pick: Morales by KO
Lennox Lewis (41-2, 32 ko’s) – Riddick Bowe (43-1, 33 ko’s):
We must remember that Bowe beat Real Deal Holyfield twice, giving him his first loss as a pro after Holyfield had just beat Douglas, Holmes, and Foreman. Lewis barely got by Evander and even fought him to a draw in 1999.
My pick: Bowe via KO championship rounds.
Paul “Punisher” Williams (38-1, 27 ko’s) – Floyd “Money” Mayweather
Jr. (40-0, 25 ko’s):
Williams was still a tall tale for most welterweights before his close encounter with Sergio Martinez. In that fight he showed his heart and that even though he was hurt, he would stick around and go for the win. Mayweather has more skill but his lack of A-class opposition makes me wonder how far he is willing to go. We haven’t seen a ‘go for broke’ Mayweather yet, will one be on the horizon?
My pick: Mayweather Jr. via Decision
Wladimir (53-3, 47 ko’s) –Vitali (39-2, 37 ko’s):
This would never come to fruition considering neither brother wants to fight the other but it would be a great fantasy match-up. Vitali’s KO rate is astronomical and Wlad was once hailed as the next best thing in the heavies. Vitali just sparked some more retirement talks so this will remain a fight that would only happen in my dreams.
My pick: Wladimir via KO late rounds (on cuts, just like the Lewis fight).
Only time and fate will reveal what happens in the three man circle we’ve come to know as “Pac-May-Mos”. The current dream fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather might be derailed by near-40 Sugar Shane, if he can pull off the upset in May, although a Pac-Mosley bill would be just as entertaining if not MORE.
In the next installment, we’ll continue the tour and visit some close calls and great outings that deserved a second look but never got them. The simplistic theme will be ‘rematches that were never made’ in light of the long overdue Jones-Hopkins second encounter. Alongside the former P4P champ (Jones) and energizer bunny, himself (Hopkins),
we’ll return to spectacular fights such as Chavez-Whitaker, Tyson-Douglas, SRL-Hagler, DLH-Trinidad, Ali-Foreman, and Klitschko-Lewis.
Author: Rota Em
Source: www.diamondboxing.com
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