Whether you like the idea or not, you’re still going to watch it when it happens.
A second bout between Manny Pacquiao and his old rival Floyd Mayweather Jr. is in the works. In 2015, the two went at it in a match dubbed as the Fight of the Century. The long-awaited, highly publicized matchup between the game’s biggest stars ended in anti-climactic fashion with the brash American winning via unanimous decision. Eight years later, at least according to Pacquiao, he and his nemesis are looking to settle their unfinished business.
“We’re in negotiations right now. We will announce it if matuloy ‘yan,” Manny said in an interview with News5.
Some fans may scoff at the idea of a rematch between the now 46-year-old Mayweather and 44-year-old Pacquiao. Two champions way past their primes duking it in a grudge match? It doesn’t have that blockbuster appeal, does it?
That being said, there are enough reasons why Mayweather-Pacquiao II should push through. Here are five of them.
Pacquiao was injured in the first fight
The Filipino slugger requested to be injected with a painkiller for his injured right shoulder just before he entered the ring to face Mayweather. Pacman’s request was deemed too late by the officials, therefore he was denied. With that, Manny was practically handicapped when he fought Floyd. It was most evident in the 4th round when Pac finally had his elusive opponent trapped on the ropes but failed to fully capitalize as he couldn’t throw his right at full strength.
The people were robbed of seeing a great fight between two amazing boxers that should’ve been in their best possible shape. The result was underwhelming, running it back is the only way to make up for the lackluster outcome.
Mayweather-Pacquiao I was closer than the scorecards suggested
In the first fight, two judges awarded the win to Mayweather, 10 rounds to two. The third member of the jury meanwhile, gave Manny four rounds out of 12. Despite those decisive numbers, pundits and fans still believe that it was a tough, tactical battle for both combatants. In fact, some boxing vloggers even had the entire fight played in super slow motion and scored it in favor of the General Santos City buzzsaw.
Normally in boxing, close fights automatically call for a rematch. Going by this standard, Mayweather-Pacquiao II has been long overdue.
The phrase “Better late than never” becomes a sacred word in this scenario.
Old doesn’t necessarily mean bad
At 46, Mayweather may no longer be as flexible and as quick as he once was. At some point in the rematch, he might be forced to go toe to toe with Pacquiao. If that happens, a much busier fight might just take place as compared to their 2015 encounter.
As for Manny, his explosiveness is most likely already cut in half. The power in his heavy hands, however, should still be enough to hurt any fighter, including Floyd. The chances of Mayweather-Pacquiao II being an action-packed clash might be higher than everyone thinks.
Manny needs a better farewell fight
Pacquiao’s last meaningful fight was against Yordenis Ugas just before running for president of the Philippines in 2021. In what turned out to be his swan song, Manny practically lost unanimously to a boxer that he could’ve run over had he been fully focused, fully prepared, and for sure, if the match had gone down a couple of years earlier. It just wasn’t an ideal farewell for a legend of his status.
No matter how you look at it, no matter how small the window is, a second crack at Floyd will offer the Filipino boxing icon a chance to leave the sport the way he’s supposed to. Win or lose, a spirited performance would be great for the Fighting Pride of the Philippines. A victory over his longtime adversary, on the other hand, would be perfect.
Don’t discount the greats
Only haters will deny that both Mayweather and Pacquiao are generational talents who know how to deliver under the brightest lights. Who knows? There might be one last great performance left in them. Common sense says that they no longer have the X factor but all-time greats have a penchant for defying logic and exceeding expectations. Discounting these all-time greats, even at this point, could turn out to be an unwise decision.
Now, do you want to see it or not?
(With reports from Martie Bautista, News5)
(CF)