OPINION: Cash doesn’t always rule
When I think of the revolutionaries in the sports world, the figures that first come to mind are those in the world of boxing. I think of people like former Flash Don King, who set a precedent in boxing that made sure that boxers not only could market themselves as a fighter, but also be able to receive a bountiful compensation for their talents.
When I think of the fighters who succeeded using King’s blueprint, the first boxer that pops into my mind is Floyd “Money” Mayweather. Mayweather, the former welterweight champion of the world, is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters of all-time, going 50-0 in his professional career.
Despite Floyd’s dominance on the canvas, his career is not without question marks. No, I’m not talking about notorious confrontations with Brian Kenny or Larry Merchant. I’m talking about how he’s never fought a fresh Manny Pacquiao. Floyd’s toyed with the boxing world since his “retirement” by saying he’ll never fight again, but that doesn’t seem to be the truth.
Mayweather coming out of his aforementioned retirement for his 2017 fight against UFC legend Conor McGregor was something that needed to happen. As a boxing purist I wanted that fight to be against Pacquiao, but after Pacquiao’s July 2017 loss to Joe Horn, I knew that fight wasn’t going to happen any time soon. That said, Mayweather’s fight against McGregor was the sports spectacle that we needed, with Floyd winning via TKO in the 10th round to protect the honor of boxing.
Since then, however, Mayweather has failed to see the bigger picture. He owes a rematch against Pacquiao to both himself and Pacquiao. Instead of participating in one of the biggest fights ever, he’s instead scrapping against MMA fighters, some known, some not. To see Floyd cash in an $8 million check while barely landing a punch against a kickboxer in Japan while in the meantime Pacquiao is beating Adrien Broner by unanimous decision enrages me. According to Forbes, Mayweather’s net worth is a stunning $285 million, yet he still feels the need to collect a check while fooling around with a kickboxer.
What Mayweather doesn’t seem to understand is that by him giving non-boxers chances before he gives Canelo Alvarez or Manny Pacquiao a chance is hurting not only him, but the sport itself. Don’t get me wrong, Mayweather has earned the right make seven-figures bets and to flex on instagram with his watches, but it seems as if he doesn’t realize what fighting a fresh and momentum-filled Pac-Man will do for his legacy.
Dante Centofanti is a columnist. Contact him at [email protected].