By Coach Tim Walker – Stage one of what fans are hoping is a lead up to an eventual showdown between Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Manny Pacquiao boxing’s two most dominating figures is finally done. It came to a close when Pacquiao dismantled yet another bona fide fighter and WBO welterweight champion Joshua Clottey this past Saturday. Seemingly now the only thing standing in the way of the perennial pound for pound kings meeting in the ring is for Mayweather to come up victorious against Sugar Shane Mosley on May 1, 2010..
While watching the fight card at a local sports bar I had the opportunity to speak with several boxing fans and get their take on the potential mega-showdown, the steroid issue and is Mayweather afraid to take on Pacquiao. Here is what some of them had to say.
Rob Mills, Pensacola, FL
I’m Pac fan by heart and think there might be a possibility that he is on steroids. I don’t think that should stand in the way of these guys fighting because the whole world wants to see them get it on. When was the last time the whole world wanted to see a fight?
Steve Sullivan, Pensacola, FL
Yeah I think he might be on something but I’m Manny fan. I just hope they fight. Come on fight!
Wayne Maultsby, Pensacola, FL
Come on Mayweather. There is no possibility that Manny is on steroids! Floyd has no right to accuse him of steroids if he doesn’t know for certain.
Wesley Philpot, Pensacola, FL
If Manny is on steroids it shouldn’t give him any specific advantage. I used steroids for years when I played sports and all they did for me was allow me to recover faster. Sure Manny came up from 108 and people say he’s got to be doing something but at the same time Floyd came up too. [What about Floyd being willing to subject himself to the same tests that he wanted Pacquiao to take?] As far as that goes, well, I don’t know.
Chad Zimmerman, Pensacola, FL
It’s not about the steroids. Everybody wants to see Pacquaio and Mayweather get it on man. Pacquiao was willing to do hair, urine, anything else except blood. I favor Pacquiao in the fight if they do fight.
Rollo Jerkins, Pensacola, FL
It’s Mayweather all the way. He was right to as Pacquiao for the blood tests. Do you see how much bigger he is now than he was a couple years ago. I think he must have a really good Canadian doctor with some really good Canadian drugs. The whole reason they want Mayweather to jump in the ring them so quickly is so they have a better possibility of catching him with a little rust on him. He’s definitely not afraid of Pacquiao. You can’t be afraid of Pacquiao and turn around match with Mosley. Now that is the fight of year, Mayweather against Mosley.
Sandra West, Gulf Breeze, FL
Mayweather and Pacquiao should fight before the year ends. Mayweather will wipe the floor with Pacquiao guaranteed.
Eric Semon, Pensacola, FL
Clottey has not chance to win. I give Pac the edge over Mayweather. I don’t think he’s on steroids but you never know.
Tish Wright, Pensacola, FL
Don’t know if Pacquiao is on steroids or not but it’s absolutely unfair if he is. There is no way Floyd is afraid of him (Pacquiao) though. I wouldn’t be surprised if Floyd knocked him out. Out flat!
Jake Firick, Gulf Breeze, FL
I am a Clottey fan and I don’t like Mayweather at all. If Manny is on steroids and it is ever found out it would devastate the Filipino people. They would be crushed but I don’t think for one second Floyd is afraid of Manny. Boxing needs better testing because the drugs are better and harder to detect.
Robby Wade, Pensacola, FL
I don’t care what everybody says. That man (Pacquiao) is on something. This guy comes from a lighter weight class and is blowing through bigger guys. They hit him and he just keeps going. Something’s up with that. Something fishy.
Wright Hobbs, Milton, FL
Manny is all hype. It’s all a build up to him fighting Mayweather. In the Mayweather fight he will be exposed. Exposed badly. Exposed really, really badly and then people will still dismiss Mayweather beating him. They’ll say he was just a little guy anyway so Floyd was supposed to beat him. All hype!
The opinions expressed are not necessarily the opinion of Coach Tim Walker or of Eastsideboxing.com.
Coach Tim Walker is a contributing writer for boxing247.com and his own blog at boxing4life.blogspot.com. To suggest fighters for Monthly Stud or The Project please contact him at tpwalker@hotmail.com.