AT AN OUTDOOR Tokyo music event sometime last month, two boxing superstars had a chance encounter when both were on the venue having separate endorsement engagements.
The accidental meeting turned into a sudden media event when the fast-talking one went to the separate VIP lounge and issued a challenge to a soft-spoken someone.
We’re talking of Floyd Mayweather,Jr. and Manny Pacquiao here. Reportedly hearing that Pacman was in the area, Junior and his Money Team went to where Pacman was, pointed his fingers at him and shouted, “Easy money, easy work.”
A bit stunned, Pacman reportedly said, “Why are you calling me out? I thought you’re retired?”
Junior continued flapping his lips and in parting said, “I’m coming back in December.”
With a killer stare towards him, Junior departed with, “No more shoulder excuses, let’s set it up.”
Not backing down and with pride and ego tickled, the Pacman then went to Mayweather’s VIP area saying, “Let’s go, let’s do it tonight, right now, no excuses.”
Aaah, you know, it would have been a great pre-fight promotional skirmish lacking the negotiations had Junior’s camp respected and had accepted the streetfight call but only taunts came out from The Money Team.
Obviously, the mouth is faster than the fists.
Their so0called “Fight of the Century” that never was had the biggest pay-out in prize fighting history, probably in all sporting history. Held in May 2015 and jointly promoted by HBO and Showtime, the match generated $600 million with almost 40 percent of the amount going to Mayweather.
PPV had four million buys at an average of $85 and another $28 million was earned from national closed-circuit sales coming from almost 6,000 business and commercial establishments as well as bars and restaurants.
All things summed up, Floyd Jr. expertly ran away from the fight with $230 million added to his bank. Pacman, after all the chasing, went back home with “only” $150 million.
The first fight, if you can call it that, was more of a catch-me-if-you-can thing where Pacman hunted and tried to land blows when Floyd back-pedalled and at the same time landing crisp punches. A brawler versus a dodger who are both experts in their styles.
The Chase, Episode 2 is in the works and reportedly, Mayweather is “very serious” in un-retiring and be back on the ring to fight Pacman. His promoter, Stephen Espinoza of Showtime believes that Part 2 will happen sometime in 2019 and Floyd reportedly wants a tune-up match prior to their rematch.
I’m not so sure if the second instalment will whip up the same interest or much more surpass the income made during the previous encounter.
Both are legendary prize fighters with stellar – and probably can’t be matched – boxing records but they are way past their fighting primes. Of course, they’re always fit and will never lose their moves but considering the age factor, they significantly had gotten slower. Pacman hits 40 this December while Floyd will be 42 by February.
What exactly are we expecting from 40-year old fighters? At least, they’re true to their callings unlike those jokers who have nothing better to do than change the flag and the national anthem.
Unless they do really stupid things with their resources on hand, these guys are secured for at least two lifetimes. There’s no more point, in my opinion, risking health and life for another shot at convoluted glory.
No matter how well-conditioned our bodies may be, age will always be a factor. That’s why there’s this thing called retirement. At this time and situation, could this be plain and simple greed?
But sometimes, greed, stupidity plus arrogance make good company when someone refused to step down from a law-making body because of an entitlement-induced airport fracas caused by a monthly period. This newly discovered male menstrual cycle reportedly landed the concerned specie at the hospital. Let us not be surprised if he gets discharged on a wheel chair with a neck brace or whatever attachment to some part of his anatomy.
If only Pacman and Floyd were in their early 30s, we could just imagine the hype and interest it generates. And then I would gladly risk the ire of my wife to buy a prime seat, book a plane ticket and a hotel room to wherever they chose to rearrange their faces.
Will I be watching Episode 2? Yes, of course, if they will be fighting atop a square ring the size of a king sized bed. That would limit Floyd’s running program and maximizes Pacman’s shot selections./PN
