May-Pac 2: Will They Won’t They and Should We Care?

May-Pac 2: Will They Won’t They and Should We Care?

By Matthew Dean 

Canelo vs Golovkin 2 last weekend, Joshua vs Povetkin this Saturday, Groves vs Smith WBSS final at the end of September, not to mention Bellew vs Usyk and Wilder vs Fury looming.

Superfights all around us and no mention of Floyd Mayweather involved so it was never going to be long before the self-styled Money would launch himself once more into the mix.

A few weeks ago Mayweather realised his name wasn’t popular enough in Google searches. There was talk mooted of fighting Conor McGregor again. No real interest for the boxing fans as

1: We know what the outcome would be

2: No-one even knows in what sport they would compete. According to reports Boxing and MMA have both been touted as options.

No surprise then that just a few days ago

“I’m coming back,” Mayweather bragged on Instagram, “to fight Manny Pacquiao this year. Another 9 figure pay-day on the way.”

This time around, images of him and Manny Pacquiao playing out online creating the notion of one of possibly the most overhyped rematches (that nobody truly wants) which would nonetheless still generate millions of buys.

Mayweather hasn’t fought since 2017 when he stopped McGregor in what was essentially an exhibition. For the defensive master his 50th fight amounted to little other than a stoppage victory against an amateur boxer with a 0-0-0 record who did surprisingly well and tagged him with a few shots of his own.

Will May-Pac 2 happen?

The first fight between Mayweather (50-0-0. 27KOs) and Pacquiao (60-7-2 39KOs) took place in 2015 and was difficult enough to make happen.

The signing took an eternity due to arguments over contractual agreements, drug tests money as always and undoubtedly numerous other factors to which we aren’t always privy.

When the fight finally took place it was an overwhelming disappointment. Mayweather used his defence to avoid Pacquiao for 12 rounds doing just enough to command the rounds in his favour and the Filipino was unable to exert pressure in the way we all expected and hoped to see.

Subsequent rumours emerged of a Pacquiao shoulder injury which no-one thought relevant to mention pre-fight. In addition stories of Mayweather having had post – weigh- in IV injections to add further controversy. All in all left a sour taste for the casual and dedicated fight fan alike.

I am not disputing that this could never happen (never say never in sports) and Mayweather’s return to the squared circle would bring considerable interest to the world. No-one in this era of boxing can publicise them self in the same way as Floyd Mayweather does. Certainly this would likely become once again (one of the biggest fights of the year.

Understanding how Mayweather ticks is paramount to whether this happens. If he returns, it has to be a spectacular event. He has to be the big name. He has to earn an obscene amount of money to consider it- let’s face it at 41 it has to be worth the graft. And most importantly and practically this is probably the only Super fight to bring Floyd back.

Looking over the remainder of the division, if we remove Pacquiao, it holds a talent-rich field stacked with younger fighters, representing something far too risky for Mayweather.

Keith Thurman 29 (28-0-0. 22KOs)
Shawn Porter 30 (29-2-1. 17KOs)
Terrence Crawford, 30 (33-0-0. 24KOs)
Errol Spence Jr 28(24-0-0. 21KOs)
Danny Garcia 30 (34-2-0 20KOs)

Fighters like those above could – in theory – lure Floyd back but would he risk his undefeated legacy? I would suspect that the risk outweighs the reward….Floyd is too much of the arrogant showman and he has to be certain he can win the matchup. Against a name like Crawford the money would be big, the gamble even bigger…

Pacquiao also certainly isn’t going to say no to this rematch. He isn’t shy of fighting anyone. His boxing career is coming to an end granted as his political career is growing and a prospect of a win against an ageing Mayweather would have been the ultimate swan song. Not to mention the multi million dollar payday.

What’s in it for the fans?

Here in the UK a £20 PPV charge. Elsewhere I understand the costs to be higher.
Relentless media promotion from the two fighters.
Thirdly there has to be some kind of controversy which happens. We all need to the hero and villain factor in an event of this magnitude.

Outcomes?

So 2 fighters way past their best toeing scratch. Mayweather last fought over a year ago and he looked at times rusty. He was tagged by an amateur throwing shots a few years back would not have even been worthy of mention. His best days clearly now behind him and saying this aloud though, you still must appreciate that 11 titles in 5 divisions is nothing to be sneezed at.

Pac-Man stopped Lucas Matthysse in his last outing this year in the 7th. This had glimmers of the younger Filipino star that we all admired yet Pacquiao can be inconsistent and has lost 2 from his last 5 fights. Once again you don’t win titles in 8 weight divisions by being anything less than a magnificent warrior in the ring.

I would love to say this has all the makings of a wonderful event but based on fight no 1 I am not so sure. I wouldn’t say it would be a disappointment as I believe both men could raise their games for one last battle. Floyd wants his undefeated legacy intact Manny wants to bow out eventually on a win and with this kind of value if he could do it, well only 2 men can tell us if this ever happens. And we don’t know yet if this is just blister.

One thing is certain if it happens the world will be watching.