There's only one African-American fighter Pacquiao needs to fight

Dennis dSource Guillermo There's only one African-American fighter Pacquiao needs to fight July 5, 5:30 PM Manny Pacquiao (AP Photo)So my inteview with Nate "The Galaxxy Warrior" Campbell created quite a stir within fight fans, especially Manny Pacquiao fans as expected. Some have even labeled me a Pacquiao-hater for allowing Campbell to say the things he had to say about Pacquiao. It's all good, maybe I can use that as ammunition for the others that say I'm a Pacquiao-hugger and have these namecallers fight amongst each other. Truth is, I am somewhere in the middle. I will compliment or criticize any fighter when I feel that they warrant it. Simple as that. Note to readers: Campbell was the person being interviewed and I simply wanted to get his thoughts. I did not speak to Mr. Campbell nor did he entertain my interview request so I could tell him what I think or tell him what Pacquiao fans think. The purpose of the interview was to get Campbell's thoughts on the matters I thought that mattered like his upcoming fight with Timothy Bradley, the passing of Arguello and some other big fights in the horizon. So when he said he wasn't concerned about the Mayweather-Marquez bout, why would I insist that he should and beg for a response? Same goes with his thoughts about Arguello and Pacquiao. Objectivity is the name of the game and truth be told, there's credence to the question Campbell posed. Manny Pacquiao has never indeed fought an African-American boxer. By African-American, Campbell is pertaining to the slick, counter-punching style patented by African-American boxers such as Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Pernell "Sweet Pea" Whitaker before him. This is not a race issue. The reason I asked Nate about it is because I wanted to see if he shared the same sentiments as his trainer John David Jackson did. Was it a legitimate question? Yes. But does it mean Pacquiao is avoiding African-American boxers? I highly doubt it. But unless we actually see it, there are some points behind claims that Pacquiao may have a hard time against the slick stlye of African-American boxers. Matter of fact, I think Pacquiao will have a difficulty dealing with the slick counter-punching style similar to how he had troubles with Marquez, except that Marquez's counter-punching style is different from the African-American boxing style. That's why as a fight fan I'd love to see Pacquiao face-off against either Marquez or Mayweather. But Pacquiao having difficulties with counter-punchers has nothing to do with the statement that Pacquiao is avoiding African-American boxers. Has there been a big enough African-American fighter for Pacquiao to fight on his way to the top? Sure. He had fights against Hector Velasquez and David Diaz who where in the level of Nate Campbell or Zaheer Raheem at the time. But has there been an African-American fighter that has been compelling enough to warrant evasion tactics from Pacquiao? I'll tell you simply, there have been none- until now. And the person who I am talking about is a name most of you fight fans already know- Floyd Mayweather Jr. But guess what? Pacquiao isn't avoiding Floyd. Moreso, Pacquiao is dying to fight Floyd. Pacquiao and his trainer Freddie Roach have made it known that he wants to fight Floyd. It's Floyd who made himself currently unavailable by announcing a comeback fight with Marquez on the day before Pacquiao's victory over Hatton. And before this point, you can't tell me Pacquiao chose to take a lesser challenge in Marquez, Barrera, Morales, Hatton and etc. because there was a scary African-American fighter within the vicinity that Pacquiao was trying to avoid- Mike Tyson and Clubber Lang weren't particularly hanging around the super featherweight and the lower weight divisions. Pacquiao fought the best fighters he could that were also the most financially rewarding for him. It just so happened at that time, there were no African-American boxers that could offer Pacquiao both. Accordingly, the rivalry between Pacquiao and the Philippines against Mexico and its warriors, weren't motivated by race. It came about because the best fighters in Pacquiao's division happened to be Mexicans and Pacquiao was on a warpath wherever he went. It was only right for Pacquiao to fight the best if he truly wanted to be the best and would've had to tread the same path had Morales been Italian, Marquez an Iraqi and even if Barrera was a marshian. Pacquiao to his credit has fought the biggest names and the best possible competition. And in response to the "catch-weight" debate, it only goes with the territory that if it weren't Pacquiao, a fight against these bigger and top-caliber fighters like Cotto and Mosley wouldn't even be worth considering. There's a reason why Shane Mosley saying he will go down a few pounds to challege Nate Campbell. After all, didn't Pacquiao just beat the consensus #1 fighter at 140 in Ricky Hatton who has been naturally fighting at that heavier weight compared to Pacquiao who only a year ago was but a super featherweight? Hatton was undefeated at 140 and was considered by most as the best in the division, and Pacquiao made him look like a sparring partner. Going back to the subject of Pacquiao and African-American boxers, in my opinion, Pacquiao does not need to fight Mayweather, Campbell or any African-American boxer just to prove a point. Actually, he doesn't need to fight anybody else really at this point in his career to secure his legacy. He can walk away from the game today and he will still be remembered as one of the all-time greats. But if you asked me to name one fighter Pacquiao should fight, it's definitely Floyd Mayweather Jr. Don't get it twisted though. It's not about race. That fight should happen because it's what boxing needs right now and what most fight fans want to see, and not because Floyd is an African-American. Take away race, color or whatever factors people want to throw into the equation. Pacquiao may very well be European and Floyd an Australian, but the only factor that really matters, and the real reason people are clamoring to see them fight is that these two men are the best boxers of our generation. Why would the world bother about a petty rivalry between two races when they can witness a battle between two of the best? Writer's Note: In response to Michael Marley's assertion that I should have pressed Campbell more, here's all I got to say. He can follow up an interview with Nate if he wants to ask his own questions towards Nate. Pacquiao wasn't my main reason to interview Nate so I did not want to focus on one topic more than the other. Funny how Marley has been critical of my articles and yet never posts any of my links. Perhaps the recent ****e in my viewership has caused the White Gorilla to constantly hurl all these underhanded criticisms as he has shown and mentioned in the past that he loves causing conflict. I guess even gorillas mark their territories and my latest dwellings within the Pacquiao fanbase has caused the White Gorilla to grow a little uncomfortable. "Do you Marley, and I'll do me." You are an accomplished writer and if you have any misconcepcions or any confusions about what I'm trying to say, you can email me like you used to when I wasn't even a blip in the radar and would appreciate any constructive criticisms or tips you can share with me in private. You don't have to twist my stories and make a mockery of my hard work to imply that you could have done a better job.