By Radio Rahim
Former four division world champion Roy Jones Jr., who also works as an expert analyst for HBO, was satisfied with the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao welterweight unification on May 2nd.
Jones was one of the broadcasters that night for the HBO/Showtime joint pay-per-view from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
While many fans were disappointed by the event, Jones was not one of them. Mayweather shut down Pacquiao's high workrate and won a twelve round unanimous decision.
After the match, Pacquiao said his performance was affected when a pre-existing injury to his right shoulder was further damaged during the fourth round. He had surgery two weeks ago.
"It was entertaining to me because Floyd did exactly what he promised to do and Manny couldn't do what he promised to do. We could say it could be the shoulder, it could have been the shoulder. But whatever it was, it stopped him from doing what he promised to do. You cant be disappointed because Floyd did what he promised to do," Jones told BoxingScene.com.
"Manny did have an injury and it's hard to criticize him, because if he pulls out of the fight then they are going to say 'oh now you're scared.' It's been five years [of waiting for the fight] and he don't want to give the fight away, and plus who is going to turn down $150 million dollars. How many of us would have said 'my shoulder' [and pulled out]."
Jones fully respects Pacquiao's decision to go forward with the shoulder issue, but he believes the Filipino star made a big mistake in blaming his performance on the shoulder at the post fight presser.
The disclosure of the pre-fight injury at the post presser has caused a firestorm from the fans. More than 32 lawsuits have been filed, with fans demanding millions in damages. All the claims are related to fans spending money on the event and alleging deceitful practices because one fighter was entering the ring injured.
"The mistake he probably made is admitting to the public that was the reason that he lost. If you went in with your shoulder like that, you should have been confident to win with your shoulder like that. That's the big problem. You should have never said a word about it, because if you went in there you should have went in to win like that," Jones said.
"Now if you lose you just keep it moving. But if you lose and say 'it was my shoulder,' then people are going to turn around and say 'why did you make me pay for this if your shoulder is messed up.' That's what made it hard for him."