STORYLINES VS. THE SAME OLE' STORY
Sunday, November 1, 2009
, Posted by 1 Punch Boxing at 4:32 PM
by:Joshuwa
"Ashyknuckles"
Jernigan
It is the love-hate relationship of top boxing superstars that spark arguments between hardcore fight fans. If you knew absolutely nothing about the sport of boxing it wouldn't take long to realize that the bulk of conversation taking place on the internet revolves around the two top celebrity fighters, Floyd "Money" Mayweather and Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao. The debates regarding these two fighters begin as rational discussions among knowledgeable fight fans, but usually result as intense arguments. If you make points that favor Manny Pacquiao, then you are instantly labeled as a "Pactard," which is a combination of a Pacquiao fan and a retard. Harsh, huh? Well, if you refute any of the points made by Pacquiao fans you are labeled a "Floyd Gayweather nutthugger." As a die hard fan of both fighters, I assure you, in these particular debates there is no way you would be perceived as such. And, there is the always popular, "You know nothing about boxing" label, which is commonly spewed by the person who adds the least to the conversation, because they obviously know nothing about boxing.
Speaking of labels, many fans swear that Mayweather is boring, ducks tough opposition, and would lose the moment he decides to "grow a pair" and fight someone with a pulse. On the flipside, every time Pacquiao fights, people declare him to be the most exciting fighter in boxing, fights the most dangerous opponents available, and is the best fighter in the game. Floyd is hated because people believe he fights opponents that he knows he'll beat. My question is, what fighter doesn't believe they're going to be victorious when entering the ring? So, in essence, Floyd Mayweather is guilty of what every elite professional fighter is guilty of, believing in his abilities. We all love Manny Pacquiao, but has he really faced the most dangerous opposition available? If Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton are considered soft opposition for Floyd Mayweather Jr, then how did they immediately become the type of opponents that placed Manny Pacquiao above Floyd Mayweather on the pound-for-pound list? The common rebuttal is to that question is, "they were bigger than Manny." Well, they were bigger than Floyd too. The last time I checked, Floyd went up to 154lbs to fight Oscar De La Hoya at his optimum weight. And, in between fights, Ricky Hatton is known to walk around at 185lbs, hence the disparaging epithet "Ricky Fatton." Also, can you imagine the backlash if Floyd Mayweather would have fought David Diaz on PPV, especially when a Juan Diaz and Joel Casamayor are also available in the same division?
The reason for the love-hate relationship for these fighters is the storylines, or lack thereof, leading into a megafight. People love Manny Pacquiao because he's not always the favorite to win fights, especially when going up in weight. He began his career as a light flyweight, so obviously people believe he's naturally too small to compete against larger opponents. And it is because of this fact that compelling storylines are created, which generates interest in his fights. But, it's the way he wins these outings that make people develop such an attachment to the Filipino powerhouse. The same can't said be about Floyd Mayweather. With the exception of his last two outings, Floyd Mayweather has always been in fights where he was the smaller guy. Nevertheless, people always expected Floyd Mayweather to win.
There are no interesting storylines leading into a Mayweather fight. It's just the same ole' story, Floyd will win by easily outboxing Opponent "A." That's why he is consistenly ridiculed for not facing credible opposition, or for cherry picking opponents. The fact is Floyd Mayweather is facing credible opposition. However, it's because he's more naturally talented than everyone else that he's held to a higher standard. With the type of skill he displays in every outing, it's only natural for people to believe him fighting a much bigger opponent is the only way for him to be truely tested in the ring. People go as far as to say that Mayweather is ducking Shane Mosley. Shane Mosley is coming off of the most impressive victory in his career by stopping Antonio Margarito and becoming the new WBA welterweight champion. But, it was the storylines leading into that fight that made it such a legacy defining win. Prior to that fight, most pundits were in agreement that "Sugar" Shane Mosley was shot, and that the best of Mosley has come and gone. Again, this is a situation where excitement was generated because the winner of the fight was expected to lose. However, did that victory some how take away the five or six lackluster outings prior to that fight? Did Mosley's recent triumph erase the fact that he's 38 years old? While I would love to see a Mosley vs Mayweather matchup, it will still be the same ole' story leading into the fight. Mayweather will be the favorite to win, and he will most likely win by outboxing the older Mosley.
So, why is it such a credible fight at this juncture, especially since Miguel Cotto not long ago proved that Shane Mosley can, in fact, be outboxed? Why is a potential fight with Manny Pacquiao such a credible fight when Juan Manuel Marquez proved that timing and effective counter-punching can give Pacquiao fits in the ring? If Floyd Mayweather is the best counter-puncher in boxing, would it not be conceivable that Mayweather would do the same thing to Pacquiao, if not, worse? Plus, he's naturally bigger than Pacquiao, just like he was naturally larger than Juan Manuel Marquez.
People want to see Mayweather against an opponent who they believe has a chance at winning. The problem with that, is the same people always find a way to discredit the victory once Floyd has proven his skills are far more superior. Who exactly can Floyd Mayweather fight that's credible, and if he wins, the victory can't be criticized? Pacquiao? He's too small. Mosley? He's too old. Paul Williams? He lost too much muscle mass trying to make
weight. Andre Berto? He's too green. Miguel Cotto? Margarito ruined him when he fought him. Joshua Clottey? No, he's overrated. He's Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito's leftovers. Isaac Hlatshwayo? He's a bum. That list completes the who's who of the welterweight division. Floyd will face criticism for facing one of the fighters aforementioned, but will he most certainly avoid deprecation if he faced several of them. So, my recommendation is for Floyd to fight the best the division has to offer. Don't waste your time trying to make every potential match a calculated business decision. When Mayweather was a Super Featherweight, a Lightweight, and a Super Lightweight he would constantly say, "I just want to fight the best they got out there." My advice is practice what you preach, and in the end you will be appreciated. Until then, you will always be scorned as a fighter who wouldn't take chances in the latter half of your legendary career.
man i thought you are a serious scribe..but this piece is full of excuses.
I don't know about you, but I really believed Marquez agreed to get paid handsomely for his loss. Even Beristain admitted that and Floyd too. That was a point blank robbery against boxing fans. I'm a fan of Floyd's skills but come on, as a writer, you know better than that.
Marquez IMO was a credible opponent to fight after a two year layoff. And I agree it shouldn't have been PPV, but that's not what the story is about. Floyd needs to fight a real welterweight. But, lets not kid ourselves. He will be scorned no matter who he fights. So, he should just fight the best the division has to offer. I don't anyone would argue with that.
How many elite fighters has PBF fought compared to Pac. Pac has fought more elite fighter won more different weight division more lineal titles. And dont give me this sshhiitt that Marquez is the same guy had the same speed, agility at featherweight then he had at Welterweight which he has never fought and had to go up 2 weightclasses. PBF could have fought Herberto, Mosley, Cotto and fight someone in his own division then to pick a lightweight. Come on an Elite fighter like PBF shouldnt make a fraud of boxing!! No elite fighter in history has picked an opponent two divisions below him. He made a jacka$$$ of himself for doing that!! I would have been more impressed if he went down to lightweight and challenged Marquez at his best weight!! He aleady had an advantage in weight, size and speed and what else does he do? FFUUCKKINN Cheat on the weight by 2 2 2 2 2 LBS. You call that a great fighter? I call that a CHEATER. And you criticize Pac what a fcckknn HYPOCRITE!!! You worship this TRASHY FIGHTER PBF Who's ruining boxing for pulling stunts like this!!! VERY DISHONORABLE FIGHTER and you call this PUNK GREAT!! I HATE YOU WRITERS THAT WORSHIP THIS KIND OF TRASH IN BOXING!! SUGAR RAY, HEARNS, HAGLER now these are GREAT FIGHTERS THAT HAVE CLASS!!! PBF will never get my money again and WATCH HIS CRAPPPPY FIGHTS!! YES HE IS BORRRINGGG AS CRAAAPPP!!
..too small, a left over, too old, too green..whatever. yet it doesn't change what all hardcore boxing fans feel..that floyd is the latest and weirdest scientific discovery...he is a crossbreed between a chicken and a duck.
..with his biiggg mouth, floyd was not able to change the meaning of the word "gay"...but his actions did..!!! "gay" now means booorrriinngggggg!!!!!!!!!!
Money business,but Robin Hood give it to the poor people but he needs it for himself.People should get a lesson it is the reverse of that fiction character,from people to himself.
rugged man!!!! pbf hit a low blow "philppines have the best enhancemnt drugs.." hahah!! bullshit!!! i say its balot!!!
"Floyd is hated because people believe he fights opponents that he knows he'll beat"
----------------------------------
Floyd is hated because WE believe he fights opponents WE know he WILL beat. Don't get me wrong, Floyd can definitely beat anyone, he's got the tools, the talent and the smarts to get the job done. But it's ridiculous to just leave it at that. If that's the case, why watch boxing at all? Why have people fight each other if we know who will win? We need to see the Mayweather style against the style of "Elite Opponent A" (whoever that may be). It's for entertainment purposes. People pay money to see the best fight the best. It is only normal for victories to get discredited once they are accomplished, ask Manny Pacquiao about that. For the record, I believe Floyd only ducked fighters in the Welterweight division. He was taking on tough challenges as a Lightweight, what happened to him?
Yeah, Floyd is an asshole as a person. He didn't have to disrespect the Phillipines. That was ignorant for sure. Big respect to the Phillipines and to my boy Marte. Stay safe, brother. I hate typhoons.
the writer is clearly a floyd gayweather nuthugger, the worst apologist of its kind.
LOL Obviously.
Yo, Assknuckles floyd was bigger than hatton when they fought. And what can you say about floyd not makin' the weight for the marquez fight? marquez knows that he can't beat mayweather but still took the fight coz of big paycheck. he's just being smart...he knows he's already 36yrs old so he better get a fat check b4 he retires right? he was paid to be a sparring partner for floyd's return.
Mayweather should heed Jernigan's advise. He owes the boxing world the best fight.
the blogger's just saying there is a double standard.
don't think so though. when pacquiao took the deal to fight oscar, did he know oscar would be like that? no, 'course not. and we see that as "having balls." compare that to pbf's latest stunt.
no, we don't think there is a double standard.
floyd is an entertainer not a fighter. as you've said, he doesnt practice what he preach. floyd better face pacman or mosley to avoid being tagged as gay and coward. we can do nothing but to ignore him and dont watch his fights!
How much did floyed pay u to write this crap..
joshuwa, bloggers like you just don't get it. we see pbf in camera, we see a boxing bitch. proclaims himself the G.O.A.T. and expects people to just believe it. it's like expecting a big killing in biz market with just chump change. no way.
so he won against oscar at 154...but also nearly lost. david and hatton on the other hand were ran over by a truck.
cotto could be a different story though. pacquiao could be biting more than he can chew. that's why we like this guy. that's a lot lot more than chump change.
fuucken A-hole gay floyd jst fight top 2 on ur own weight and may be i will idolise u...
wat a scraaaap article, jst wasting my time...
it is the likes of you why many black american fighter are no longer being competitive and can no longer excite the boxing fan. they dont care if they fight like running around and hugging and show some fancy jab and in the end get a decision and brag about being the best and calling names of other boxer make it looks like they are fan to watch
you are black thats why.tsk tsk tsk
you are a fucking black bullshit nigga! go on ride the dick of gayweather idiot
guys dont be a PBF hater... im telling you .. PBF will prove to you that his the best out there...... Trust me He'll fight Darchinyan on his next fight ... the dude is a KO artist..
hey chihuahua jernigan.please tell gayweather not to hide under his bed or go to retirement again, coz after pacman/cotto fight he can make a lot of MONEY! i repeat... BIG MONEY by not ducking the winner of the firepower this nov 14
Joshuwa Jernigan, according to him, is a Gayweather nuthugger.
What's this piece of junk again, joshuwa jernigan??? You sucks!
oi mate, just wondrin' if gayweather was suckin' your dick while you're making this blog! or is it the other way around? you're rubbish!!!
This column shows your true color..
Come on gentlemen. There is no reason we can't keep this civilized. You are only proving the points made in the first paragraph. It's like you can't be fans of both fighters. It like it's taboo or something.
floyds return to boxing is good news. it created a lot of internet blogs and buzz. can't wait for the pacman vs mayweather in march 2010. its the golden era on boxing marketing wise. the biggest fight of all time both in gate receipts and ppv. it will be spectacular if the match becomes a trilogy.
I appreciate Pac Man and Mayweather. I used to box so I really appreciate Floyds skill but I think the avearage joe just wants to see someone get knock the **** out. So thats why Pac man is so loved.
If Floyd is here to stay he should fight Pac and if he wins then fight Mosely but really I think he has had a great career either way.
Its funny when Manny beats Oscar and Ricky everyone is hailing him king, when floyd does the same to marquez all we can talk about it weight?
Most people really get upset with Floyd due to his persona but I think people forget that boxing is a business as well as sport there are many great boxers and not all of them really make it to the big time and I really believe some have to work at their image more than others.
Floyd is cool, Manny is cool. May the best man win! and may some of you learn some manners