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Brad Cooney
Mississippi Boxing Examiner
July 21, 2010
Manny Pacquiao has been stepping up and dodging nobody for years now. His war path has carved through Mexico, wiping out Mexican legends such as Morales, Barrera, Marquez, and Larios. Other casualties of war include De La Hoya, Hatton, Cotto, and Clottey. Truly an amazing resume when you sit and look at it. The man from General Santos City has risen, and he has not looked back. It's an amazing story, one that will be written about by the boxing historians for many years to come.
Floyd Mayweather's record is unblemished. He's defeated every fighter put into his path, but is the level of competition that he's faced as good as Pacquiao's? Most would say, "no" it is not. Regardless of that, Floyd had defeated quality opponents such as Zab Judah, De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Castillo, and Corrales.
Now both men are on a collision course to square off and to finally resolve the pound for pound king debate. Mayweather has been playing the media and fight promoter Bob Arum like a violin. He's good at it. Love him or hate him he's a very crafty smart man. Arum imposed a deadline last week, and it has come and gone with no word from Floyd.
Pacquiao once again shows that he will not dodge anyone. He agrees to all demands on blood testing, he agrees to the money, and the venue. This certainly would qualify as "stepping up" once again. Now it appears as if Floyd is "stepping back" and in doing so stirring the blood of the fans, and team Pacquiao.
Read up on Marley's take on blood testing here http://www.examiner.com/x-5699-Boxin...s-blod-testing
This forces Arum to look elsewhere for other options. We all know that Cotto or Margarito is who Arum is targeting as possible alternative opponents. Neither of these two excites the boxing public. Arum wanting full control of things wants to keep it a Top Rank card. Guys like Paul Williams or even Timothy Bradley would probably provide better competition for Pacquiao than either Cotto or Margarito.
Once again it appears as if Manny has stepped up to the challenge, and once again it appears as if Floyd has stepped back. Or, does it just appear that way? Don't consider the big show a lost cause just yet. Floyd may sign this contract when people least expect it.
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