With two months straight of non-stop MMA, just about every weekend and in between as well, the spotlight was solely on boxing this weekend and the mega-fight between 'Sugar' Shane Mosley and Floyd 'Money' Mayweather. The question of whether or not the fight would live up to the hype was answered as it did not, but that is only because another question was answered undoubtedly and emphatically. That question was, is Floyd Mayweather as good as he says he is? The answer to that question is yes and then some.
Sure, it would seem understandable that I could easily write a column on this topic, considering everyone else probably is, the difference with me though is, I have to admit it. You see I was one of the select few that actually believed Shane Mosley had more that just a puncher's chance to defeat Mayweather. I thought he had the speed to match Mayweather's, even at his advanced age of 38, and thought his style of combining looping and straight punches would frustrate Floyd. I also thought his trainer Nazeem Richardson would finally come up with the game plan needed to defeat the undefeated champion. Crazy enough, for two rounds all this seemed to be coming to fruition and I was ready to look like I knew what I was talking about to everyone I had preached this to. Sadly though, it was only two rounds and no more as those two rounds just served as a wake up call for the man they call Money, to do what he does best.
Now I'll be the first one to admit I am not the biggest Floyd Mayweather fan, which may have possibly influenced my take on this fight beforehand, however as my friend Richie likes to always say, "what's right is right". In this case, what's right is that Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is unquestionably the most talented boxer on the planet. I did not go so far as to say that he is the best, because until he finally fights Manny Pacquiao, this is nothing more than a subject for debate. However, for the first time ever, I have to say that I think Mayweather will defeat Pacquiao, if and when they ever decide to finally settle the dispute of who's the best in the ring.
I used to say that Pacquiao would defeat Floyd and technically speaking, he might, however I no longer think so because of two reasons. One, Floyd has shown me that his speed is unparalleled in the ring when it comes to both his hands and his feet. Also, his ring generalship is masterful; when he decides to put it on the line and fight the way he knows best, there is no one in the world who can dictate and control where and how a fight is going to go.
In all fairness there are two ways where I could possibly see Pacquiao winning. The first is he is a southpaw. The last time Floyd has fought a left-handed fighter was four years ago when he defended his title against Zab 'Super' Judah. Say what you will, Judah was winning the first half of that fight until Mayweather made the necessary adjustment. This is what I think he will do against Pacquiao. Second is that although he's never been knocked out, Mosley showed early in their fight that if he gets caught, he can get shook. If Pacquiao would catch him with that left flush on the button, it could be lights out; however the operative word in that sentence is "if".
Finally, I have to give Mayweather his just due on one more thing I did not agree upon with him. Initially, with the issue surrounding the blood testing, which is what caused the first opportunity to fight Pacquiao fall through, I felt Mayweather had no right to make such a request. Yet, in his post fight interview when asked if he would finally fight Pacquiao he said, "if all athletes would subject themselves to this kind of testing, then there would be no more doubt as to who's the best". As much as I'm not a fan, you have to give him his just due on this. He is willing to subject himself to what he himself is asking for, so why not as he says, "confirm you're both on an even playing field". For as much smack as Money talks, he walks it too. What more can you ask for in a champion?
Perfectly written Sam!!!!!!
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