Time for Mayweather and Pacquiao to Move on!

In the aftermath of the most hyped fight in the last several decades, boxing fans and laymen watching the sport are left with many thoughts regarding the two most popular fighters in recent memory, after the most recent “deflate-gate” of boxing. Many of those thoughts are not favorable, and most fans and viewers of the fight on May 2nd felt just that, deflated. However, I don’t necessarily think the fight was bad for boxing.

I have obviously heard countless laymen sports fans over the past couple weeks indicate this was the first boxing event they have watched in years, and “for what; what was the hype about; the fight was terrible; I will never watch another fight or pay for boxing again.” I say “yeah right.” The fight in and of itself may not have been exciting or good for boxing but all of the discussions about it and with so many people now talking about boxing, it just can’t be bad for the sport.

There is obviously money to be made for both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao should they fight each other again due to their respective popularity amongst boxing fans and the general public’s interest in seeing a portrayed villain like Mayweather lose. They may not split $300 million next time, but it would still be a significant amount should they fight again. It is very easy to say I won’t attend or pay for the fight should the event take place again, but the reality of it is that most of us would tune in for a rematch and unfortunately it will be another overhyped boring fight that leaves us all deflated. It is kind of like the feeling when you think of fast food. You know you should not eat it, but it smells good; then you are left feeling sick to your stomach; saying, “why did I do that again.”

Unfortunately, instead of talking about some of the many exciting, young, talented, and somewhat charismatic fighters currently out there, we continue to talk about Floyd and Manny. We should be talking about the fighters that can lift boxing if laymen fans tuned in to watch. For true boxing fans, there are so many fighters we can think of and matchups we conjure up in our head that get our blood going and give us goose bumps to think about. For me, the obvious choices to talk about and get excited for are Gennady Golovkin and Canelo Alvarez, both coming off impressive knockout victories in consecutive weeks. Hopefully, one of the next mega fights will involve the two of them in the upcoming year or two.
Other outstanding fighters that I am very excited about right now, although not charismatic enough to carry the sport alone, are Nebraska’s Terrance Crawford and Argentina’s Lucas Matthysse, who are two of the most brutal and exciting Jr. Welterweights in the sport. I would like to see either of them against anyone, anytime; even each other if conflicting promotions would allow.

The bottom line is although there is money to be made for them, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao should move on or move aside for the health and reputation of boxing. It was a supremely popular sport before they were ever around, and it will continue to survive and generate millions of dollars and excitement for fans after they are gone. For example, just last week on May 9th, although it only lasted just north of two rounds; the fight at Minute Made Park in Houston, TX between James Kirkland and Canelo Alvarez earned them 1.3 million 3.5 million dollars respectively for a non-PPV event that had over 31,000 people in attendance and had tickets on sale for as low as $10. What fans got in return is what they deserved, a toe to toe war between a hungry underdog in Kirkland and a talented rising star in Canelo Alvarez who at 24 has power in both hands and ever improving boxing skills.
So, move over Mayweather and Pacquiao; we don’t need you or want you. Unfortunately, and I am laughing as I write this, we will all probably watch you again, and that’s on us. Anyhow, to all you laymen fans out there, tune in to some of these other worthy and notable fighters out there; you won’t regret it.