Will the Big Fight Happen?

In all of competitive sports there are always the “dream” match ups. Kobe and Lebron going head to head in the finals for right to prove who the superior player is. The Dallas Cowboys versus the Houston Texans for the Super Bowl Championship at the Reliant Stadium, The Boston Celtics taking on the Los Angeles Lakers, The New York Mets fighting for a Pennant against the Yankees. There are countless match ups that sports fans can fantasize and argue over the semantics of who would win and why. Then there is Manny Pacquiao Versus Floyd Mayweather. What is different concerning this “Dream” event taking place? What separates this particular dream is that in boxing ANY fight can almost be made. There is no playoff system, regular season or even a governing body that prevents this fight from happening.  That is the single reason that fans of the sport are upset.

For the past two years these two have circled each other in verbal exchanges concerning accusations of performance enhancing drugs, threats and finger pointing on why the fight is not taking place. Recently Mayweather challenged Pacquiao to a bout on May 5^th.    Bob Arum, Pacquiao’s promoter declined the fight due to Pacquiao’s cut in his close victory against Juan Marquez in November. I honestly don’t know how true it is but at this point I am skeptical about everything I hear concerning the possible biggest fight in Boxing. Maywetaher is now facing Miguel Cotto on May 5^{th and} then will serve his 90 day jail term for assaulting the mother of his children. Pacquiao is now schedule to fight against Timothy Bradley in June. Bradley is also promoted by Bob Arum.

I’m not accusing Arum of keeping a cash cow in his possession nor do I really care. What I am frustrated with as a fan of the sport is why is it that Pacquiao and Mayweather can fight everyone but each other.

Cotto lost to Pacquiao but now is fighting Maywetaher?

Marquez lost to Pacquiao, lost to Pacquiao, drew against Pacquiao, lost to Mayweather and lost to Pacquiao. Say that 3 times real fast.

Pacquiao has fought and beaten Oscar de la Hoya (so did Floyd), Ricky Hatton(so did Floyd), Antonio Margarito, Joshua Clottey and Shane Mosley(so did Floyd).

I cannot choose who they should fight but I do believe that after 2 years of “attempting” to make a fight and only giving the fans one compelling and competitive fight in the last 3 years( Pacquiao vs Marquez 3) it might be time for us to accept that these two are making a serious amount of money for not giving the fans the fight that they want. Fans are shelling out $60 for pay-per-views to see who? I have yet to meet anyone and I mean anyone that remotely cares for the Mayweather versus Cotto match up and feel likewise for the Pacquiao vs. Bradley matchup.

How much money are we as fans willing to give to these two before we boycott not buying their overly expensive tickets or horrible main events before they actually step into the ring and deserve our hard earned dollars?

Out of all the possible challengers Manny could face why choose Bradley? Its not a knock against Bradley who has a undefeated record against C+ talent, but more a admission that the best fights are clearly not being made.

I could never see Ali dodging Frazier or Foreman. Or what if Oscar never fought Felix or Lewis versus Holyfield?    

Brandon Countee