By Mark Klimaszewski: How fickle the world of boxing can be, with some of the most hard to please fans and critics in modern sport. One thing that has amazed me over the years in the fight game is how a moment can change the landscape; when a number of fighters and fantasy match ups are banded around in exciting discussions, one upset or unforeseen victory can completely nullify the present and re-write the fans’ hopes for the future.
The phenom from the Philippines, Manny ‘Pac-Man’ Pacquiao is a fighter who has contributed his fair share of defining, game-changing moments over the last decade. Who could forget the brutal, one-sided beating of Barrera (as a huge underdog) way back in 2003? Two classic battles (albeit, forever debated) with Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez. Being the first man to stop the great Erik Morales in their superb rematch. The beating dished out to Oscar De La Hoya in Pac-Man’s welterweight debut (yes, there are alot of sub-plots to that fight, but I can remember the chances given to him when the fight was announced were slim to zero). The total annihilation of Ricky Hatton in two rounds. Outpunching and out boxing the brilliant Miguel Cotto in a fight many expected the Puerto Rican to win. Yes, indeed; Pacquiao has given so many positives to the sport, it’s hard not to love the guy.
How ironic it is then, that in reaching his zenith, he has paradoxically drawn negativity from some of his most ardent fans. Case in point: despite much squabbling about catchweights and whatnot from his detractors, (let’s quickly point out, he was hardly the first boxer to make such requests- check your history), there’s no denying what he has accomplished is monumental and will be talked about for years. Up until the Cotto fight, he was on a roll and kept on proving the doubters wrong. Following on from that, his star continued to soar to astronomical heights, whilst the money stacked up and general ‘mainstream’ adulation was heaped upon him. Bob Arum rubbed his hands together with glee and in turn we paid out the cash. Sadly, the Joshua Clottey fight- becoming a huge spectacle what with the opening of the new Cowboys stadium and the revenue the fight generated- proved to be a massive dud.
Still, this was forgivable. We can’t expect every fight to be a classic and in fairness, Clottey had no interest in making it a good fight. Pacquiao did what was needed and dominated Clottey, in a fight that was plain boring. However, most fans expected the long awaited showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr to be announced and signed soon after, so people quickly moved on. The widely publicized ‘drug testing issues’ soon had everyone on the planet talking about boxing again, and many people began to question Pacquiao’s great achievements after the Mayweathers added fuel to the already crackling fire. The ‘will they/ won’t they’ saga dragged on for what seemed like forever, and in the end drew a stalemate. Large numbers of previously pro-Pacquiao supporters were becoming disillusioned. ” If he’s innocent, why won’t he just take the test and give us the fight we all crave?”
So, the story continued and the next opponent was announced, to much public dismay. Convicted cheat Antonio Margarito was given the golden opportunity in a blatant ‘in-house’ deal. Top Rank would benefit hugely, Pacquiao would gain his much talked about 8th ‘world’ title against someone who would be the perfect foe to look good against and the undeserving Margarito would cash the biggest cheque of his career. More sub-plots and negativity surrounded this match, and although the fight turned out to be far more entertaining than many would have guessed, it still left lots of Manny’s supporters with a bad taste in their mouths. When all the dust settled after that fight, people were again willing to forgive and forget. After all, every ‘dud’ fight brings us all closer to the showdown we all want to see. Right?
Shane Mosley is then rumoured to be the next to fight Pacquiao. It’s hard to find anyone with even a remote interest in boxing with a good word to say about it. Despite public outcry, Bob Arum knows best and signs the fight anyway. People are angry yet as the promotional wheels turn, the magic is worked and public opinion starts to sway The fight’s going to happen whether they like it or not, so they may as well try and find the positives in it. As the months roll on, people are actually convinced Mosley will present Pacquiao with the biggest challenge yet. Then come fight night, all our hopes dissolve as Mosley turns into a ‘runner’ and doesn’t even do what he used to be known for: throw punches and come to fight. Again, Top Rank rake in the money, Mosley gets a big payday and Pacquiao stays riding on the crest of that wave…or does he?
Making the Mosley fight look alot harder than it should’ve been and failing to outdo Mayweather’s victory over the common opponent, Pac-Man’s fans are now turning away in droves. Hearing all the booing at a Pacquiao fight? Yes, it was directed at Mosley, but surely the phenom that is regarded as the numero uno in the sport we love could’ve added that spark that was needed to make it a good fight?
Once bitten, twice shy, and now it seems it’s not just his detractors that are complaining about his poor choices of opponents. Three duds in a row and people everywhere are suddenly looking at Pac-Man in a different light. Sick of being duped with mismatches dreamt up by Bob Arum, fans are at a turning point regarding the Filipino typhoon right now: show us something amazing or walk away now. It’s all very well leaving things up to your promoter, as Manny is so fond of telling us, but at some point you have to make a stand and re-ignite the passion.
It’s a strange thing when a boxer is so successful that he effectively runs out of viable opponents. With only three credible fights now worth taking (four if you include Marquez-for the record, I don’t) Pacquiao’s chances at redemption and solidifying his pound-for-pound greatness lie in the short road ahead. Pretty soon we will know who the next choice of opponent is, but I know many will have already lost interest by then. As more or less the sole torch bearer for boxing in the mainstream, Manny can once again soar to where the eagles dare by taking the one fight that everyone wants. Failing that, a move up in weight against Sergio Martinez would have to be the next plan of action. Sure, it’s a big ask, but then isn’t that what we expect from the man atop the pile? If that IS a step too far, then a fight against the ‘last man standing’ from the 140 LB division is his only option, and if that means fighting friend and training colleague Amir Khan then so be it. As for the Marquez fight? Well, in my eyes it would just be another mismatch to add to the list. Whatever may be, there’s a LOT riding on Manny Pacquiao’s next choice of opponent. I for one will be watching with bated breath. Stay tuned.