By Vivek Wallace: Only days departed from arguably one of the biggest letdowns in the history of the sport, today we take a look back at what was, what is, and what will become of the two men involved at the center of the spectacle:
WHAT WAS: (A HINDSIGHT LOOK AT THE BOUT COMING IN TO THE NIGHT)
Prior to the evening of May 7th, fight fans around the sport were led to believe this would be a battle of epic proportions. All the hoopla about CBS and Showtime, all the hoopla about Mosley’s ability to make it a rough rumble, and all the hoopla about two warriors who stand in front of one another were so strong that many of us got caught up in the moment, not realizing the action would barely captivate us for a mere second. The power of promotion is strong. So strong that many walked away with a sense that perhaps it’s best to not even believe most of what you see in the sport, and not even a fraction of what you hear anymore.
Many fight fans called this fight a farce going in, but then there were those like myself who hoped for the best and were dooped into thinking we’d see it. One sure sign that at least one of these men weren’t quite the spectacle we were led to believe coming into the night was the fact that all pertinent promotional footage of Mosley were confined to the Margarito fight; a clear sign that there truly wasn’t much left in the tank, as it had been his one and only dominant performance as long as even the videographers could remember. (HINT #1)
WHAT IS: (A LOOK AT WHERE THE AFTERMATH STANDS, AS OPPOSED TO WHERE WE THOUGHT IT WOULD BE)
In the aftermath, now that the smoke has cleared, seems what we learned from both men was far from what we initially thought. To quote a lyric from famed Pop group Boyz II Men, “the outside didn’t look like what was in…..and ending didn’t go like it began”! Simplified, two cut and chiseled warrior lookalikes fought like play pals, and what started out as a speculative rumble in the making subsequently ended as a cake walk with an undeserved pot of gold waiting in the end. Quite a reward for such a weak effort.
To his benefit, you can’t blame Pacquiao totally, as he did come to fight; but even with that in mind, a few things became obvious, as many around the sport have began to take note. In an assortment of statements collected by some of the most credible names, the open sentiment given relative to both men is not a very good one. In the aftermath, Mosley was exposed to be precisely what many felt he was coming into the night….which is an old fighter in pursuit of career defining recognition and a few massive paydays. Pacquiao, on the other hand, was exposed as a fighter who is incredible enough to dominate a sport despite being very one-dimensional.
It may fall upon deaf ears, but it has to be said: Pacquiao landed an average of 4 jabs per round despite throwing an average of 22. He averaged 11 power punches per round despite throwing an average of 23. He has been known to throw nearly 1000 punches per fight, but against a target that used footwork, head movement and escapability, (despite not being very good at it), Pacquiao landed a very dismal 182 punches of 552 thrown. When was the last time we saw numbers that low for our sports premiere offensive force?
In one breath it’s hard to hold him accountable, but the reality is that Mosley’s performance was only a flash of what one can expect against Mayweather if and when the two meet. A lot of movement, a lot of escapability, and a lot of elusiveness. That being said, what value does such a fight truly hold, and what result does it possibly render when the final bell rings? Everyone has been critical of Mosley’s effort with good cause, but the reality is that his percentage of punches landed was technically the same as Pacquiao’s, (31% Mosley/33% Pacquiao), although only he threw half the punches.
When we analyze this closer, hindsight tells those of us who failed to see beforehand that Mosley is what we thought he was……an aged fighter with little left in the tank; but perhaps Pacquiao could in fact be what most never agreed to think he was…..which is a fighter who’s offensive prowess is so dynamic and dynamite that it conceals the fact that he is indeed a one-trick pony, serving a bevy of combinations with no jab or other intangibles to enforce them if they don’t land. Thus far it hasn’t been an issue, but what happens against someone who can unlock that code and remain out of harms way while dishing punishment themselves? There lies the mystery of a fight between he and Mayweather.
WHAT WILL BECOME: (A LOOK AT WHAT THE FUTURE FOR BOTH MEN)
For Shane Mosley, the future is pretty cut and dry: Find the most comfortable couch nearby and firmly plant himself on it. If he wants to wear his promotional cap and kick off that endeavor, have at it! But, by no means should he continue to pursue a career that would require him to keep the gloves on. They say the power is the last thing to go with a boxer and the reflexes first, but in Mosley, it appears the sudden departure of heart kept the reflexes in place, as his constant running removed the chances to even gauge whether or not the power remained in tact.
For Pacquiao, the plot also thickens. Categorically, you have to view him as one of the greatest of all time. No one can deny what he has given to the sport and how effective he has been at establishing himself as nothing shy of a living legend. That being said, one can also see that the end may now quite be near, but it is certainly closer than it was only a short while ago. The energy and effort remains dominant, but the results continue to change. Emanuel Steward, Jeff Mayweather, and several others have noticed this, and all feel to a degree that it’s a matter of time.
One very prominent voice in the sport who was on hand last Saturday in Las Vegas to witness the fight who would rather not be identified stated unequivocally that he gives the fightin’ Filipino “2, maybe 3 fights at a high level, if that”. May sound toxic to some, but in reality, there’s only one more good fight necessary, as there’s only one true opponent remaining.
Marquez allows closure to some unfinished business, but if he’s able to further exploit some of the perceived changes in Pacquiao, or even make it another knockdown drag out affair like the first two encounters, one has to wonder how effective Pacquiao will be when the true test comes? Always pays to know when to say when. Now isn’t the time, but it’ll be intriguing to watch and see if it does in fact come before many suspect.
Here lies a few visions from the hindsight, and a few premonition’s for the future. The past wasn’t what most expected, so it’ll be quite intriguing to see if the future is. Stay tuned.
(Vivek Wallace can be reached at vivexemail@yahoo.com, 954-292-7346, Youtube (VIVEK1251), Twitter (VIVEKWALLACE747), Skype (VITO-BOXING), and Facebook).