By Superstar Billy Graham
Currently there is an uproar among Pac fans and Floyd fans concerning Manny Pacquiao facing Shane Mosley on May 7th 2011. Many have placed their concern that Manny should not be facing an aging fighter Shane Mosley, mainly due to his last 2 lackluster fights, Floyd Mayweather Jr and Sergio Mora. Some Filipino writers have suggested Manny Pacquiao should leave boxing all together. Their feeling is if it is not Floyd Mayweather Jr then Manny should not waste his time. There are others who say Manny has already proved himself and there no other competitors worthy to facing the #1 Pound for Pound fighter in the world. Some are clamoring for Manny Pacquiao to face his old nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez. But Marquez being with Golden Boy Promotions poses a problem due to the feud between Top Rank boss Bob Arum and Golden Boy Promotions twin heads, Oscar De La Hoya and Richard Schaefer. But another addition that became a problem was Juan Manuel Marquez demanding $5 million guaranteed and additional $5 per pay per view if the PPV buys goes 500,000 and over. Which is way too much and twice as much when Juan Manuel Marquez faced Floyd Mayweather. Basically Marquez priced himself out of the Manny Pacquiao sweepstakes. Andre Berto is a formidable foe but lacks any star power attraction. Because Andre Berto is not with Top Rank, and Berto is poorly marketed by promoters and has never faced a top flight high ranking fighter, he is an unknown to many unless you follow boxing. It is casual fans that have never heard of Andre Berto. Andre Berto fighting a bunch of unfamiliar names and less challenging fighters, doesn’t push him into the front of the line with the best fighter in the world. It is unfortunate Andre Berto has Al Haymon (who also manages Floyd Mayweather Jr) and Lou Dibella, they have done a poor job with Andre Berto. If Andre Berto was promoted by Top Rank Bob Arum, Berto would be a bigger name and star. His chances of facing Manny Pacquiao would greatly increase.
Manny Pacquiao facing Shane Mosley is purely for monetary reasons. Out of the 2 other opponents besides Floyd Mayweather, they lack any star power attraction. Manny Pacquiao demands a least $20 million per fight and facing Marquez or Berto may not guarantee him the $20 million because the two failed to become attractions. Andre Berto and Juan Manuel Marquez were the main headliners on their last fight, and together they pulled less than 5,000 in an arena that can hold over 18,000. It is not a good sign when two champions in the same boxing event can’t pull in big numbers in the gate and become PPV attractions… Manny Pacquiao will sell out an 18000+ arena in a blink… Manny Pacquiao has earned his rightful position in the sport of boxing as the economic bell cow.
Should Manny Pacquiao retire from the sport of boxing unless he fights Floyd Mayweather Jr? NO WAY!! Manny Pacquiao is still in his prime and there is way too much money to ignore and just simply retire. He still has the fire within him and the desire to be the best is unwavering. Why should Manny quit earning millions of dollars just because Floyd Mayweather Jr is not willing to face the best and his continuing troubles with the law? Manny Pacquiao retiring because if it is not Floyd Mayweather Jr, then Manny shouldn’t waste his time — is utterly preposterous. Manny Pacquiao could make nearly $80-$90 million if he fights just 3 more times even without Floyd Mayweather Jr. Manny Pacquiao’s ambition to be “The Champion of Public Servant” is not cheap. And if Manny Pacquiao has the desire to be in the highest public office of the Philippines, it certainly will not come cheap. Just imagine how much money Manny spent to be the congressman of his province. Continuing his boxing career may help him in the long run if he ever pursues the Presidency. The Presidency will definitely require a lot more Benjamins. If Floyd is unwilling to make boxing history by facing Manny Pacquiao, it should not come into the expense of Manny Pacquiao on continuing to cash in his position as the economic bell cow of the sport.
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