Photo © Marty Rosengarten / Ringsidephotos.com

View full size photo »

It seems almost certain now that Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather won't be meeting this March.  Jeff Pryor examines why each man has refused to do what it takes to make the big fight happen.

The two best fighters in the world decided to do the opposite of what they do best, and not fight.

Somehow the guy who faced down Barrera and Marquez twice each, Morales three times, De La Hoya, Hatton and Cotto... found a reason not to face Mayweather.

Somehow the guy who has proclaimed himself the G.O.A.T., untouchable, undefeated, undefeatable and the best fighter on the face of the planet... found a way not to face Pacquiao.

For these men to have thrown away a mega-fight of this magnitude over quibbling and stubbornness is not entirely unpredictable, each has an ego to feed and in their occupation, bowing to another man's demands isn't something a fighter does in the ring. Surely the very qualities that make them so successful in combat, proved a stumbling block outside the ropes in the negotiations.

The finger pointing should continue for some time as each fighter figures out where they go from here, and they try to spin the failed agreements to portray themselves in the best light.

But questions linger and beg to be answered...

How does Mayweather explain his willingness to fight Pacquiao based on what he saw from him against De La Hoya, Hatton and Cotto, at the time brashly stating there was no doubt he would dominate him, yet now is unwilling to get into the ring with the Filipino and demanding a blood test claiming... I guess... that Manny looked so good in those fights that he had to be on some illegal regimen of drugs or cranked up blood cells or maybe PCP or Monster energy drink.

Since no human can do what Pacquiao has done, maybe a DNA test is in order, to insure he hasn't been genetically engineered to kick ass or maybe a metal detector should be swiped by him to insure Manny isn't a cybernetic He-machine...

The point is, Mayweather had seen the same Pacquiao in action we have. He'd seen him and said that guy is a one dimensional fighter that he would destroy. But now, all of a sudden he's concerned about an "even playing field". Whatever the playing field, we've seen Pacquio's skill, acumen and athleticism in the ring. We know what he's all about as a fighter. However he got to be that fighter, whether through hard work or through some kind of illegal shortcut of which there is no indication, that's the guy Floyd said he was superior to in every way.

So in that light, clearly Mayweather's confidence in his own "greatness" is much less robust than he lets on.

What it comes down to, is that in these negotiations, Floyd just admitted he's afraid of losing to Pacquiao.

-------------------------

Just as apparent is the fact that Pacquiao is at least one of three, not very complimentary things. He is either a cheater... a prima donna... or plain stupid. His reaction to Floyd's blood testing demands have been scattered, illogical and hard to justify.

First are we to believe that a man who gets punched in the face for a living, who has fought through grisly cuts, and gotten tattoos across his body is so uncomfortable getting his blood taken, even a couple weeks before the fight, that he is willing to walk away from more money than even the biggest hollywood legends get for a gig?

You know what Manny? You seem like a nice guy, we want to work with you here, but what you are saying doesn't fit together in so many ways that we have no choice but to now suspect you of using illegal means to aid you in your memorable run up the divisions.

What it comes down to is that in these negotiations, Manny is either proving himself as an ignorant, assuming us as ignorant, or hiding something.

------------------------

The fact is neither man's position is very tenable.

Mayweather has fought under commission testing rules all his career and apparently never felt threatened enough to make an accusation before. He wants testing 14 days before, Pacquiao wants it 24 days before. Ten days is really going to make a difference either way? Particularly when some experts would tell you nothing short of testing 24-48hrs before the fight will assure a "clean" fighter and Mayweather's already agreed to go looser than that anyway?

The same thing applies to Pacquiao; you've agreed to take a blood test, which you didn't have to. What's the difference between taking it at 24 days out as opposed to 14? Your argument that it weakens you, doesn't hold up if you've still got two weeks to recover.

What we hoped would be the sports pinnacle match, is in fact a pissing match plain and simple. There may be pride involved here... and some stubbornness... but the primary cause on both sides is idiocy.

--------------------

Where do things go from here? Joshua Clottey seems to be in Pacquiao's future. Another tough welterweight, that should he beat him, would add another solid name to his spectacular resume.

Mayweather will likely wait until Shane Mosley and Andre Berto duke it out later this month. He'll likely be praying that Mosley gets old and Berto becomes the division champion. If so, he'll manage to dodge another legitimate threat in Mosley, and cherry pick the belts from the exciting, but second tier youngster should he want to.

Public opinion will be interesting to keep an eye on when this saga continues later in the year should the two sides try once more to wage battle outside the ring, in an effort to do so in it.

A recent LA times poll, unscientific to be sure, but probably a strong measuring stick of the general consensus out there among the public, asked who was to blame for the mega fight falling apart.

As of January 9th nearly 21,000 people had weighed in. Overwhelmingly, the folks blame Mayweather. Ninety two percent lay it at his feet (78% on Floyd 14% on his promoters/managers). That leaves just eight percent of the angst heading Manny's way.

Going in Pacquiao's favor is his long history of facing the best fighters in every division he's competed in. Perhaps more than any other fighter in recent history, it can be said that Pacquiao's competition is truly nonpareil.

Mayweather on the other hand has a long list of names he refused to fight that his detractors will rattle off, particularily at welterweight, where there have been plenty of worthy challenges and in their stead he has faced smaller and smaller men. Based on those poll numbers, Pacquiao's name will now be added to the list, perhaps ironically as both a smaller man, but also one he dodged.

Mayweather will have a caveat on his place in boxing history, which intimates that he never stepped up to prove his all time greatness, though he had many an opportunity.

Pacquiao will have a praise muting shroud over his late career accomplishments; whispers of blood doping and illegal substances.

This whole fiasco has benefited no one. It has however harmed both fighters legacies at least for the time being.

Only they can wipe away the cloud that hovers over them both. If they are smart enough. If they are brave enough.

And if they are humble enough.

e-mail Jeff Pryor