Pacquiao-Mayweather: Aftermath of No War

As true today as the day the article was first published (14Jan2010).

Published @ boxingnews24

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2010/01/pacquiao-mayweather-aftermath-of-no-war/

Pacquiao-Mayweather: Aftermath of No War

January 14th, 2010

By Rasheed Catapang: There’s a school of thought out there that Mayweather would have easily dominated Pacquiao had their fight actually push through and that it’s just as well it won’t happen because it would have altered the current landscape of boxing for the worse.

Don’t entertain nor dwell on such things for there’s just no “happy thoughts” there – not for Peter Pan or for the rest of us (boxing fans).

It’s time to invest in the future or face tougher times, so Obama wisely said. Now that the Boxing Superbowl that is Mayweather-Pacquiao is an aborted child, we have no choice but to make do with the unwanted children: Pacquiao-Clottey and Mayweather-Somebody.

On Pacquiao-Clottey: This fight is actually a good one. Clottey has shown he’s good enough to bang with elite welterweights. Though appearing to be the “perennial bridesmaid,” he’s no pushover with his power and cast iron chin. Clottey posed some real threat to the Pacmonster and it’s not far fetched he could be the “bride” this time.

That said, Clottey is still no Mayweather.

On Mayweather vs. Somebody: Now, that’s literally a run for your money. Mayweather as usual would not just be running away from his opponent but he’ll be running away with your money. Just look at some of the names of possible opponents being floated around: Paulie Malignaggi, Nate Campbell and Paul Williams.

Paulie Malignaggi is a poor man’s version of Mayweather and is just genuflecting in his shrine. He doesn’t even have a puncher’s chance. Who’d pay to see a pillow fight?

Nate Campbell is basically a lightweight. And we know the welterweight Mayweather had already beaten the best lightweight in town in a welterweight fight! Could he just fight somebody bigger or someone his own size?

Enter Paul Williams, and exit at the same time. No further explanation is required when it’s a Mayweather fight we’re talking about.

Mayweather will surely win his fight against a B or C level fighter he’d surely be choosing but he’ll lose big time. By not choosing a formidable opponent, he’ll be able to preserve his perfect record. He’ll become irrelevant as he goes along – just ask Sven Ottke.

Floyd just never learned from his short stint in Dancing with the stars. He had the perfect partner in Pacquiao to make something beautiful and special. And now it’s all gone.

Nevertheless, Mayweather and Pacquiao in their separate ways would still have to face the music. (In this regard, there fate will always be intertwined.) This time, though, the magic is gone and the dance will surely end with fingers pointing at them.

It’s tougher times ahead which the PPV will attest, whether the two superstars hold their separate fight on the same date or not.

And then these Peter Pans will have to worry about grown up things again.

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: The Best vs. The Beast for P4P Supremacy

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Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: The Best vs. The Beast for P4P Supremacy

May 5th, 2010

By Rasheed Catapang:

“Floyd Mayweather Jr. is boxing’s Greatest Ever, the best of the All Time Greats. He’s better than Ali and Sugar Ray Robinson. He’s the rightful P4P King and the real Face of Boxing.”

For the longest time, Floyd Mayweather Jr. uttered those heresies. And, repeating those lies many times over, he actually believed them.

There’s no sin graver than believing your own lies – and in boxing terms, the outcome could be fatal. There happened to be one now. And that is Mosley never believing a word that came out of Mayweather.

Mosley thought he can match wits and prowess with Mayweather. Come fight night, he found out that what he knew doesn’t equate to what is the truth and that there’s a big difference between thinking and converting those thoughts into action.

Moreover, the body doesn’t always respond to one’s will and old people tend to forget that. “Believe and you’re halfway there” is well and fine but Mosley’s halfway reaches only up to the second round. In essence, he could not give what he no longer has.

It was the oldest rule in the book: Know thyself and know thine enemy. The self is old and the enemy is in his prime. So, Mosley bloody failed when he bloody tried.

That said, the winner deserves all the accolades due him. Shine Mayweather, shine!

For the longest time, Floyd Mayweather Jr. believed the lies he made. On the fateful night of May 1, the truth actually caught up with it.

Well, almost.

There remains another with a similar claim, one whose self belief rivals his. There remains another that needs to be toppled – one, who though haven’t been caught actually saying them, sprouts the same lies. There is another in his mold, an egomaniac bent on ruling the world – a boxing god in a humble façade but just as bad and unforgiving.

There remains Manny Pacquiao.

They are polar opposites but mirror images – the yin and yang, Offense and Defense. One’s a beast and the other the best but equally effective and ruthless.

Fools and Sweet Science Scholars alike need not debate who the greatest boxer is of this generation. Some may claim Floyd deserves the P4P top slot now with the masterful performance over Mosley. But the question begs to be asked, would Mayweather have recovered in the 2nd round had it been Pacquiao (whose torrential rain of fists is swift and final) delivering the blows?

You and I won’t know better. It is not a matter that should be settled in the court of public opinion but in the ring which is boxing’s hallowed ground.

In the matter of Pacquio or Mayweather being the best, your opinion is just as good as mine. That’s why the FIGHT needs to happen.

Afterwards, Mayweather will be proven true. Or else, he’ll really sound hollow.

Floyd Mayweather's Great & Secret Show 2

Floyd Mayweather Jr: Shining Through Mosley

@boxingnews24

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2010/04/floyd-mayweather-jr-shining-trough-mosley/

By Rasheed Catapang: On May 1st, will we see the Shane Mosley of old or an old Mosley? The question needs to be asked though the answer won’t really matter. Little Floyd Mayweather Jr., like the countless times he had done before, will walk away with the win.

There may not be anyone now as supremely gifted a boxer as Little Floyd. And there may not be anyone now as confident with those gifts. We could deny his place in boxing’s Valhalla but we could never deny his talents. His detractors could cry foul and scream to deaf heaven all they want but they could not disclaim that his skill set rivals those of the All Time Greats.

In his claim to greatness, we could despise him – and his demeanor invites just that. But could we prove him otherwise? I doubt that.

Mosley, however, is qualified to try. He’s long in queue and earned the slot. Bear him no malice then when he inevitably fails and falls at the proverbial road side because at best Mosley is a test. He’s very good but is not great, and is now certainly very old.

Some people saw Mosley as a phoenix rising in the Margarito fight. They failed to consider Margarito’s state of mind in that fight or Mosley’s mediocre performance against Mayorga before that. Mosley could hope for another miracle but would that work against the very devil that is Mayweather.

If there’s anything Mosley could really do, it will be that which Pacquiao could not. That is to make Little Floyd shine.

“Shane done some things in this sport,’’ Mayweather (40-0, 25 KO) said, “but this fight is about enhancing my legacy, about proving I’m the best.’’

And that’s exactly what will come to pass. Floyd Mayweather Jr. for all his faults is a realist. He will never lose because he’ll never be on a fight he could not win. I believe there is the uncertainty in Floyd’s mind if he’ll be the winner against Pacquiao, with Mosley there is not a shred of doubt.

Mosley has yet to come to terms with that. Or else, he’s in denial. Failing to know the enemy eventually will cost him the war. After May 1, he’ll join the 40 before him who bloody tried.

And bloody failed.

“So now I’m telling everyone I know Mayweather is the best of all time. Better than Ali. Better than Frazier. The best that God has ever molded. But if he’s the greatest of all time and we knock him on his back, what’s that make Shane?” Mosley asked.

A dreamer.

President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo's Epitaph

What she touched, she corrupted - a real midas touch perverted!

In life, Arroyo lied. And lied and lied.

In death, herein Arroyo lies.

Floyd Mayweather's Great & Secret Show

Article published in boxingnews24:

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2010/03/floyd-mayweather’s-great-and-secret-show/

By Rasheed Catapang: To hear him talk, he’s the best there is at what he does – the greatest boxer ever to lace up gloves. According to him, he’s the King of the Hill and inside the ring, his preferred temple and shrine, a boxing god.
Outside of his family and a few elite sycophants, almost all are heretics if Floyd Mayweather is to be believed. By his standard, even Sugar Ray Robinson – the closest thing the modern world has to a boxing god – is far behind him in Boxing’s Valhalla.
The extent of his madness is fascinating. Though assessing his sublime skills and perfect record of wins, he just might be the real deal.“Line ‘em up and I’ll knock ‘em down,“ so said Mayweather in his second coming. And Marquez, long in qeue and being the first in line, was a willing sacrifice. The wolf fed on the lamb – a prophecy foretold which came to pass.
All hail Mayweather! Though just not yet.
Welcome to Mayweather’s great and secret show. An elite welterweight beating the best lightweight doesn’t secure one seats in Boxing’s Pantheon of the Gods or claim the spot in its highest echelon. Even a 40-0 record is no guarantee, especially when it’s by the path of least resistance.
To secure the coveted top, the same old rule applies: The best has to fight the best that in the end there can only be one!
Which then brings us to May 1.
Floyd Mayweather has to slay his first real demon come first of May. (Granted he had fought champions in Carlos Baldomir, Zab Judah and Shamba Mitchell, but just exactly who are them in the grand scheme of things.) In Shane Mosley, a first ballot hall-of-famer, there is the legitimacy Floyd’s talk sorely lacks – a real sugar necessary to sweeten “Money”.
And Mosley, never mind his age, wouldn’t allow that if he could help it. Let’s hope he can.
Floyd has talked the talk; let’s see him walk the walk. As much as I wanted Floyd to be shut up by Mosley or anybody, I equally wanted him to prove just how great he really is. And when he does, if Floyd shines through, let him chase the one that got away.
For atop the hill Floyd wanted to rule over lurks the real monster, the Pound-for-pound King. It is a clash of the titans in the end, and it is only the Pacmonster who can put Mayweather in his proper place.
To hear him talk, he’s the best there is at what he does – the greatest boxer ever to lace up gloves. If Floyd delivers, he might as well be.
He’ll make a believer of us yet.

Mayweather – Pacquiao: Floyd’s Fear Factor

By Rasheed Catapang:Floyd Mayweather Sr. had wanted us to believe that there’s something about – and amiss with – Manny Pacquiao. But I believe History and not “his story” will judge the Pacquiao’s remarkable ascent in the Pound-for-pound throne. In that regard, and with the benefit of hindsight, I hope this piece would shed some light.

While Dela Hoya was Pacquiao’s sacrificial lamb in the Altar of Fame, Hatton was really the deciding factor in his pound-for-pound claim. In the Pacquiao-Hatton fight, there was just no over-the-hill and weight-drained excuses as Ricky Hatton was the undisputed Junior Welterweight Champion who’s still in his prime and is undefeated at 140 lbs. So when Pacquiao’s devastating punch rendered Hatton unconscious in less than two rounds, it was both a statement and an affirmation.

Read full article at boxingnews24.

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2010/01/mayweather-–-pacquiao-floyd’s-fear-factor/

Mayweather vs. The Incredible Pacquiao’s Urinalysis and More

Please see link for the complete article:

http://www.boxingnews24.com/2010/01/mayweather-vs-the-incredible-pacquiao’s-urinalysis-and-more/

And then some.

Mayweather - Pacquiao: Bad Blood

by Rasheed Catapang

40 Million dollars. That’s just about the amount this era’s top pound for pounders are each to earn should they take on each other on March 13, 2010. And then some. That’s a lot of money to burn.

Mayweather, one of the protagonists in this epic battle, has been known to do just that. Coming out of a 2-year retirement after spending a fortune on a lavish lifestyle, he may yet be the fastest man alive in that regard. The 40 odd million might as well be gone baby gone before it ever reaches his hands. What a bloody mess he’d done.

And blood is indeed what the ruckus is all about.

Trying to gain mental and physical advantage by initiating a severe blood testing regime, or merely initiating a ploy to evade a fight against his father’s accused drug user the- friendly-beater-to-a-pulp Manny Pacquiao (depending on who’s expert side you ask), the negotiation for the fight of the century just come to a halt.

For the moment, never mind the Pacmonster is afraid of needles because even Superman has his kryptonite. (And we know too well the plot is weak but we never question the man of steel). The fact is that Boxing’s Greatest Ever, a title Mayweather proclaims as his own, shouldn’t play hesitant in taking all corners. If you are such, you do not ask for concession. You do not ask why or why not. You simply take the fight and beat the opposing fighter to a bloody pulp. We’re not even talking here of taking on a bigger-than-Mayweather-behemoth-with plastered hands-a la-Margarito but Pacquiao who has always been the smaller man.

Boxing’s greatest ever should strike fear in the hearts of man, or fellow pugilists if you like. Mayweather being hesitant of taking Pacquiao doesn’t send that kind of message. And so, it’s like his alias “Money May”, which really is a title of no significance when applied to him.

The verdict for the man is this then: All hail Mayweather, the most elusive fighter of this era. You couldn’t even get him to a ring when a clear and real threat is on the opposite corner.

That said – and because Mayweather just won’t – let’s take on the Pacman. His is the ascent that is the stuff of legend (or of steroid as put forward by the ever-unreliable Floyd Sr.). Just what makes him tick? Bordering on disbelief, the not-so-always-disoriented-poet could not piece together how the small man’s run of havoc left fallen elite fighters in his wake. And it could not be due to God as Mega-Manny claims for He is known never to take side. Alas, he could only equate it with drugs to which his mind as a previous dope has close affiliation.

Enter USADA and the random blood testing. The little man has just been accused of taking steroids no matter if there’s lacking history to that. Naturally not agreeing, Pacquiao gave his reason to the world which is about his kryptonite.

Bloody hell, why not just bleed and give a little Manny. The Mayweathers made there point as much as those needles which created all those tattoos on your body. Bleed a little such that the little may save the whole and make us (boxing fans) happy.

It’s also because the usual urine test just wouldn’t do. Your old nemesis Marquez who admitted to be a consummate drinker of such potent an elixir would have made sure of that - alerting the Golden Boys and Mayweather never to trust yours. I mean, let’s face it, Marquez is an expert not just in boxing but in urine as well. (This news was kept in a tight lid because it’s not prim and proper to openly discuss. But it’s out now in the open.)

And notwithstanding the green with envy Dela Hoya’s take and fickle statements on the matter - It’s sad really - Pacquiao is just guilty until proven innocent.

The verdict: Counter to Mayweather is weak. Pacquiao should just give in to Mayweather’s demand to get them inside the same ring – and not in court. Then he could bring to Mayweather the beating of his life, if he can. After all, there’s no higher joy than mixing business with pleasure.

Drop the pretense like boxing is about doing the honorable thing and all such mumbo jumbo crap. It is war where a Geneva Convention only exists to not make it all look so bad. It’s more like ancient Rome’s gladiator combat with a Christian name. And just like the olden times, the people crave for blood.

And it’s not the one Mayweather had in mind.

We’ve asked for boxing and it’s a circus we’re getting. Blood Feud, Blood letting, Bad Blood – more like Bloody Mess - call it what you want but this fight might not just happen.

40 million dollars – it’s burn baby burn.