When Beyonce recorded the song "Ego" I don't think she was talking about Mayweather or Pacquiao, but she might as well have been. In what has become maybe the biggest fight in the history to not happen due to anything other than injury. We need to take a look at the real reason why.
Both Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr would have been guaranteed a minimum of $30 million dollars apiece. Possibly more depending on the number of Pay-Per-View buys. So money is not the issue.
This is the type of fight where legends are born. Because no matter who would have won or lost there is no denying that these two are the best pound for pound boxers in the world today.
Both Manny and Floyd are worried about the legacy they will leave behind. And despite what you may hear or read in the media, neither one of these guys is scared of the other. Both of them have fought the best fighters out there and never ducked anyone. The only way to solidify their legacies and not leave behind any lingering questions is to fight each other and prove who is the best.
That puts away those questions.
Now let's get down to it. Why these gladiators and their trainers, promoters, mediators and lawyers etc, couldn't make this fight happen.
It really is simple and comes down to one thing, both fighters EGOS
The Mayweather camp is simply asking for too much when it comes to Olympic Style drug testing and here's why.
Each state has a set of rules in place when it comes to unarmed combat. It has taken years to perfect these rules. To let one fighter dictate an unprecedented new set of rules cannot be allowed. It would open the door for other fighters to make up rules as they see fit. At that point what would be the purpose of having an Athletic Commission?
Nevada tests fighters for drugs and steroids after each fight. But they are also tested randomly throughout the year.
I spoke directly with Keith Kizer who is the Executive Director of The Nevada State Athletic Commission. He said the "random testing is used to deter fighters from using banned substances knowing a test could come at any time". That system seems to be working quite well.
In other words Floyd needs to lighten up and get real if he wants this fight and I believe he does.
As far as Pacquiao, I don’t believe any of this hogwash about being superstitious regarding his blood being taken too close to the fight, therefore weakening him.
He’s just not going to let Mayweather Jr or any fighter for that matter tell him what to do before a big fight. At this stage of his career who could blame him?
Manny has never tested positive for any illegal substance in 55 professional fights. Nor has he had issues with putting the wrong kind of padding in his hand wrappings or been accused of being a dirty fighter inside the ring
The exact same thing can be said about Floyd in his 40 fight career.
The argument that it’s not possible for Manny to have made the leap from smaller weight classes to where he is now is also ridiculous. He started fighting as a 106 pound 16 year old. He is now 31 years old fighting at 147 lbs. A natural progression as his body matured.
Many fighters such as Sugar Shane Mosely, Floyd Mayweather Jr, Sugar Ray Leonard, Oscar De La Hoya, RobertoDuran & Sugar Ray Robinson have started at lower weight classes and moved up as high as light heavyweight while still maintaining some power.
At this point I’m sick of all the finger pointing from both sides and just want to see a great fight from the world’s two best fighters.
Here’s hoping they put their egos aside and get in the ring to decide once and for all who is the pound for pound champ.
If not, the sport of boxing will take its biggest loss yet
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