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Roach Sets Weight Limits For Pacquiaos Foes
In seven HBO pay-per-view fights before the Ricky Hatton appointment last weekend, Pacquiao has generated 3.25 million buys and $160 Million. Pacquiao’s bout against Oscar de la Hoya delivered 1.25 million hits and is one of only four non-heavyweight fights to rake in at least a million.
No figures are yet available for the Pacquiao-Hatton match but if it posted over a million buys, the fight will become the first non-heavyweight bout without De la Hoya to crack the million mark.
Two pretenders looking for a crack at Pacquiao’s pound-for-pound belt are former titleholder Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez. They’re squaring off on July 18 in what seems to be a Pacquiao eliminator. Mayweather, Jr., 32, is unretiring and his last fight ended in a knockout over Hatton on Dec. 8, 2007. His record is 39-0, with 25 KOs.
Marquez, 35, gave Pacquiao a tough time but was winless in two attempts. He went down thrice in the first round and battled Pacquiao to a draw in their first meeting. In the rematch, Marquez was dropped in the third round and lost by split decision. His record is 50-4-1, with 37 KOs.
Before Pacquiao ascended the pound-for-pound throne, Mayweather was the king. The catchweight limit for the Mayweather-Marquez fight is 143 pounds which is within range of Pacquiao’s comfort zone.
“I’m here to fight and reclaim what’s mine,” declared Mayweather in announcing his comeback. “When I retired, I felt like it was time for me to go. But then I hear all these guys talking that they’re the best fighter in the world. Everyone knows who the true pound-for-pound champ is – me. It’s going to be business as usual now that I’m back.”
There were rumors that Mayweather decided to return to the ring because he owed back taxes of $6.5 Million and a Las Vegas ***elry store is suing him, presumably for not paying his bills. There were also rumors that he was close to signing up with Don King.
But Mayweather denied the rumors although he admitted talking with King. “I’d never leave my friends for money,” said Mayweather whose nickname is curiously Money. He expects to bankroll at least $12 Million for battling Marquez.
Top Rank chairman Bob Arum said he’s not interested in negotiating a deal with Mayweather because of his distrust for his agent Al Haymon. Arum and Haymon had a falling out after they failed to arrange a fight between Paul Williams and Kelly Pavlik. Arum accused Hayman of wrong-doing and called him “a Machiavellian SOB.”
“I have no dislike for Floyd whatsoever,” said Arum. “That’s not a factor. But negotiations have to be with somebody I trust. I don’t want to deal with any sleazebags.”
A third bout against Marquez is a remote possibility and Arum said it doesn’t make business sense. He said Mexican fans don’t like Marquez’ style which is unattractive and boring. A counterpunching technician, Marquez plays a waiting game inside the game and lacks the aggressiveness of a typical Mexican warrior.
WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto has the inside track on Pacquiao since he’s also hooked up with Arum. Cotto stakes his crown against Joshua Clottey on June 13 at the Madison Square Garden in New York City and Pacquiao will likely be at ringside to size up the Puerto Rican.
Pacquiao isn’t expected to encounter rough sailing against Cotto whom legendary Argentinian cutman Miguel Diaz described as “a damaged fighter” because of his knockout loss to Antonio Margarito last year. If Mayweather beats Marquez and Pacquiao disposes of Cotto, the fans will clamor for a showdown.
Arum said Mayweather’s camp has sent initial feelers that the Money Man will demand at least 60 percent of the revenues in a Pacquiao duel – which is unacceptable to Top Rank.
“Manny is the biggest draw and the biggest attraction in the sport,” said Arum. “Everyone who fights Manny, even now, has to be considered the B-side as the opponent.” Despite his unblemished record, Mayweather is not an exception to Arum’s B-side category.
“Pacquiao has begun to transcend the sport in the manner that few fighters have,” wrote T. K. Stewart in boxingscene.com. “Feature profiles devoted to him on ESPN and CNN, endorsement contracts with several multi-national corporations and a brief meeting with former President Bill Clinton in Las Vegas are all testament to his surging popularity.”
Looming in the horizon as a future opponent and legitimate threat is WBA welterweight champion Sugar Shane Mosley who at 37, stopped Margarito in the ninth round recently. Mosley’s record is 46-5, with 39 KOs. He holds two victories over De la Hoya and has won seven of his last eight, including stoppages over Ricardo Mayorga and Fernando Vargas twice. The loss in the stretch was a decision to Cotto.
According to writer Ivan Goldman of The Ring Magazine, the welterweight division is the most dangerous in boxing because of the proliferation of outstanding talents.
Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach said Mosley has broached the idea of a fight. “I asked Shane if he could get down to 142 and he said no,” said Roach. “So I don’t think Pacquiao-Mosley is likely.”
Curiously, if Pacquiao fights Cotto, it will be for the WBO welterweight title and the limit will be 147 pounds for the Filipino to get a chance for a seventh world crown.
Mosley isn’t getting any younger and wants to lure Pacquiao into the ring while he’s still a marketable commodity. Given a choice, he’d like to take on Pacquiao then Mayweather and finally, Cotto in that order.
“Ten years ago, I was listed among the top 10 pound-for-pound fighters,” said Mosley. “I want to get back there. I want mega-fights. I love the excitement. I thrive on it.”
Mosley said Pacquiao’s collection of six world titles in different divisions is significant. “It’s definitely unique,” he went on. “He carries his weight well. His power stays around because his legs are big.”
Michael Falgoust of USA Today noted that as a lightweight, Mosley won all 31 fights, including 29 by knockout, but in the 20 bouts since, between 147 and 154 pounds, his stoppage rate has dropped from 94 to 50 percent.
“It’s a little different for Pacquiao,” explained Mosley. “Pacquiao is a little more amazing in that he can still be competitive with all this extra weight. That’s remarkable. I kept my power at 147 but at 154, I lost a little bit.”
Pacquiao said moving up in weight requires not only discipline but also timing. “Boxing is about more than hitting,” he said. “It is using your mind and being quick is very important.”
Another candidate is superwelterweight Julio Cesar Chavez, Jr. who’s itching to avenge the string of losses inflicted by Pacquiao on his Mexican countrymen.
Brushing aside Mayweather as a future opponent, Arum said Chavez is a more logical pick. “I’ll give you an even bigger fight, potentially, against Chavez,” Arum told reporters. He said the bout will rekindle the rivalry between Mexico and the Philippines.
But Roach said Chavez is “too big” and unless the Mexican agrees to scale down, he won’t consider the fight.
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