Pacquiao vs Mayweather

The stage was set and the fans were anticipating a furious fight between Pacquiao vs Mayweather, that was set to take place on March 13, 2010. However, the fight never took place and in fact, is facing the jeopardy of getting canceled forever. There are various opinions that back the takes of both the boxing sensations, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather. Being an ordinary boxing fan, one would obviously want to know the details and facts about this potential bout between Pacquiao vs Mayweather. Well, the following article is an effort to put the flashlight on the debacle and distress between these two boxing champions and the possibility of their encounter again in the near future. But before that, I would like to give you a brief introduction of these two ace boxing heroes.

Who is Manny Pacquiao?
Manny Pacquiao is a Filipino professional boxer, who currently holds the no. 1 rank and who is the WBO's (World Boxing Organization's) World Welterweight Champion, The Ring's (Boxing Magazine) Light Welterweight Champion and WBC's (World Boxing Champion) Emeritus Champion and Diamond Champion. The Ring Magazine and ESPN also rate him as the World Number 1 pound-of-pound best boxer. He is the only boxer to grab the Lineal Championship in four different weight classes; along with seven world titles in seven different divisions. He is also named as the "Fighter of the Decade" by the Boxing Writer's Association of America.

Who is Floyd Mayweather?
Floyd Mayweather Jr., is the son of Floyd Mayweather, Sr. (former welterweight contender) to start with. He is an 'undefeated American professional boxer', since he has not faced a single defeat in the 41 fights that he played including 25 knockouts. He was also ranked World No. 1 by The Ring Magazine for three consecutive years (2005 to 2008). The former WBC (World Boxing Champion) welterweight champion Mayweather, has nine world boxing championships under his belt in five different boxing classes. He is currently ranked World Number 2 pound-of-pound best boxer, by The Ring Magazine.

History of Pacquiao vs Mayweather Showdown
There has been a lot of name-calling, in-fighting, finger-pointing and crying involved in the Manny Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight, which is a lot more serious than some kindergarten playground fight for sure. Before heading towards what happened between the two champs, one needs to know a brief history of this fight that never took place. On November 17, 2009; Manny Pacquiao defeated Miguel Cotto, hands down, which only added to the list of exciting victories which he executed against Oscar De La Hoya and Ricky Hatton. However, Floyd Mayweather, Sr. was not happy about this winning streak and let out his viewpoint before the Pacquiao vs Cotto clash, when Pacquiao defeated Ricky Hatton who was trained under Mayweather Sr. for that match.

The result of all Manny's wins meant he had to take on one of the two strongest opponents - Shane Mosley or Floyd Mayweather Jr. wherein Mayweather was obviously the top choice. As a result, the fans were hoping for a super fight with a possibility of ending the reputation of all the super fights in the past. Despite the calculations, both the camps agreed upon this infamous deal for an out-and-out clash between Pacquiao vs Mayweather for a split of US$ 50 million, at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas. The location and price were previously agreed upon by the promoters, trainers as well as the players. Then, what exactly went wrong between the both that's not resolved till the date?

Pacquiao vs Mayweather Showdown Hit the Rocks
There were a few complications early on regarding the money split, from the Mayweather side but then they were resolved on a 50/50 split. Then the previously decided clash date of May 2010 was moved up to March 2010, since Manny had to run his election campaign for a senate seat back in his homeland, Philippines. There were a few more minor issues like the glove size, ring size, location of the fight and two other most significant issues that decided the fate of this gage. The time span of clause setting and contract signing was a painful period of dubiousness and optimism for the fans of both the champions.

Manny Pacquiao camp came into the fight as underweight and hence they asked for a penalty of 10 million per pound, if Mayweather wanted to enter as overweight. Pacquiao camp claimed that these demands were made just to ensure that both the fighters meet at the same weight group, at the end of their boxing workout sessions. To everyone's surprise (including Pacquiao's) Mayweather agreed upon this deal as well. However, Mayweather camp had their own clauses coming into the super fight Pacquiao vs Mayweather, which included that both the fighters must undergo an Olympic style drug testing that includes a series of blood tests and urine tests, before 30 days and right after the clash.

It is essential to know that previous to the contract signing for the battle between Pacquiao vs Mayweather, the latter one implied to some media representatives that Manny may be on some performance enhancing drugs (PEDs). This statement of his, was too similar to the initial doubt that was proclaimed by his father. However, it got the heat only after the contracts were signed and once the negotiators of the match got serious. By the time the news hit the Pacquiao camp, it was too late for the Mayweather camp to do anything in their defense. Now that the statement was spread all across the boxing world like a wildfire, players like Paulie Malignaggi, and Miguel Cotto started to show their share suspicion as well.

Apart from being surprised and displeased, Pacquiao's reaction to all this was not less surprising as well. Starting with one of its own litany of excuses, the Pacquiao camp started to stagger back rather than suing or threatening the Mayweather camp to go in the court. It included Manny's fear of needles (regardless of all that tattoos that he sports). Then the news of Manny's blood test (that was administered before the fight of Manny vs Morales) being misplaced, hit the airwaves. All in all, it all looked like the behavior of a guilty man on part of Pacquiao.

Progress of Pacquiao vs Mayweather Showdown
The negotiations about the drug test brought about many questions referring the simplicity of this heated issue. The incidence regarding the loss of documents in the Morales episode, was never fetched forward by the media then. According to some skeptics, the Morales camp was responsible and suspected for plotting the blood test episode on Pacquiao to defame him. As a result, one can speculate that just for the sake of preventing the repetition of a similar incidence, Pacquiao was being conscious for the clause of blood test put in the contract of Pacquiao vs Mayweather. Mayweather camp on the other hand, was definitely aware about the 'Morales episode' which might also be the closest possible reason, why they were demanding such tests from Pacquiao before the clash.

No matter what the conditions in hand demanded, one has to agree that the Pacquiao camp handled the situations extremely poorly. Rather than giving in unacceptable answers, they should have just came forward and let the blood tests to administer and prove his innocence. The latest Pacquiao vs Mayweather news are all filled with contradictions, hypotheses and speculations. There are mixed reactions and judgments amidst the experts as well as the fans of both the camps. Some say that they will soon resolve the dispute and put up the fight before the end of 2010 while some say that it is all over and there will not be any such thing as Pacquiao vs Mayweather fight.

Both on and off the scene debates (that is, the arguments from both Pacquiao and Mayweather camp, the boxing experts, columnists, journalists and the fans) will continue may be even forever with the hope of a definite super fight between Pacquiao vs Mayweather. Till then, both the players have a handful of strong opponents who can hurt them, big time!