Reading some of the messages left by disgruntled fans on different sports websites about boycotting Manny Pacquiao’s pay-per-view fights—and vowing not to watch him again because he didn’t give in to Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Golden Boy Promotions’ demands for several random blood tests leading up to their proposed fight—makes me ask: are you guys crazy?
Why would you boycott the most exciting and entertaining fighter on the planet simply because he was being bullied and pressured into a drug-testing protocol by the opposing camp, especially when there was no evidence or proof that Pacquiao was using steroids—other than his dominating performances?
Some guy said, “Pacquiao taking Miguel Cotto’s best punches clean on the chin shows he was on steroids.” That has to be one of the stupidest things I’ve ever heard. Steroids don’t make your chin stronger. Look at Fernando Vargas—he was on steroids and still got knocked out and dropped by Oscar De La Hoya when they fought.
If the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) or any other governing body required Pacquiao to take blood tests, I bet he wouldn’t have a problem complying. He has taken blood tests before—like in his first fight against Erik Morales—and he didn’t feel 100 percent in that bout. For that reason, he has every right to avoid anything he feels could put him at a disadvantage in the ring.
To those who dismiss his explanation as “excuses,” who are you to judge? You have no idea what this man feels inside. Every fighter has a pre-fight routine and knows their body better than an angry fan who has never stepped into a boxing ring.
People also ask, “How can he turn down $50 million?” Well, maybe because money isn’t everything to Manny Pacquiao. It sickens me to see so many casting stones at him over baseless accusations that were started by a bitter Floyd Mayweather Sr.—a convicted drug dealer.
I don’t care what anyone else says—I’ll happily pay for Manny Pacquiao vs. Joshua Clottey. Clottey is a legitimate welterweight who has been avoided by some of the top fighters in the division. He’s tough, durable, and always comes forward. He doesn’t run; he brings action. This fight will be explosive.
Manny Pacquiao is worth every penny fans spend on pay-per-view. Floyd Mayweather Jr., on the other hand, is not. The only reason I and many other fans have ever paid for his fights is to see him lose—or to witness someone pull off the shocking upset against this arrogant welterweight who mostly picks on smaller opponents.
Had Mayweather vs. Pacquiao taken place, I’m convinced it would have been a boring fight. Mayweather would have pot-shotted, clinched, shoved Manny off, run after landing, and used his elbows—like he did against Ricky Hatton.
I know plenty of people who demanded refunds after a Mayweather pay-per-view. I can’t say the same about Pacquiao fights.
While Pacquiao is battling real welterweights like Miguel Cotto and Joshua Clottey, Mayweather is rumored to be facing Nate Campbell—a former lightweight nearing 40 years old. Don’t get me wrong, Campbell is a good fighter, but he’s undersized and past his prime. That’s no real challenge for Mayweather.
Mayweather still hasn’t fought a legitimate top welterweight. He avoided Antonio Margarito, Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto, and now Pacquiao. He never wanted to face Pacquiao in his prime. What he’s doing now is waiting—hoping Clottey beats Pacquiao up badly so he can claim Pacquiao was “overrated,” or stalling until Pacquiao slows down with age before finally fighting him.
And let’s be honest: the people who say, “Boycott a Pacquiao fight,” probably never paid for one of his pay-per-views anyway.
I hope Pacquiao continues to succeed. He doesn’t deserve to be attacked with baseless accusations of steroid use when he’s provided boxing fans with consistently thrilling performances.
Mayweather will never fight Pacquiao as long as he can use pay-per-view numbers as his only bargaining chip. That’s his sole advantage at the negotiation table. If his numbers ever dip, his negotiating leverage disappears.
If Mayweather tries to go head-to-head with Manny Pacquiao on March 13, 2010, I know exactly which fight I’ll be watching.
I am an avid fan of boxing and video games. My first fight of memory was watching Prince Naseem Hamed destroy Kevin Kelly. I enjoy all aspects of the sport. My favorite current boxer is Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao. My favorite boxing match is Diego Corrales vs. Jose Luis Castillo 1. I love watching boxing on Pay-Per-View more than being there live because you can really enjoy and watch the action from the best view.