WHY IS IT THAT NECESSARY TO HAVE A FIGHT IN NOVEMBER IF IT WERE NOT WITH MAYWEATHER?
By Ed de la Vega, DDS
PhilBoxing.com
Thu, 15 Jul 2010
The recent rumblings about Congressman Pacquiao ?must fight? in November should really be closely scrutinized. Theoretically, unless the Congressman needs to raise tons of money to recoup what he spent to win Sarangani?s Congressional seat, then there is no need to rush.
The congressman does not need to fight if the only reason is so power-brokers and advisers can make money off the fight.
Why risk his health at this point of his life if the fight will not merit him the legacy he so richly deserves? And, I say a fight with either Margarito or Cotto at this point in time will never in any manner, shape and form, add anything to Pacquiao?s legacy, Cotto?s 154lb belt not-withstanding.
True, HBO has set November 13th for Pacquiao to fight.
So what? They can always find other guys to fill out the spot.
Why rush to fight Margarito or Cotto?
Or rather, what?s there to gain with a fight with either of the two?
Margarito can not fight in the USA and it will be madness to even think that Pacquiao should fight him outside the USA. The suggestion that perhaps it could be held outside of the US is just that - madness. True, some countries in the Middle East like Dubai can put up the fight and indeed apparently someone there already showed interest to be involved but people from that part of the world are not boxing fans so it is not too far off to say that the promoters will be hard pressed to fill out a venue with local people. And, I doubt the good people of Dubai would wake up so early in the morning just to see a fight. (The
fight, if it?s in Dubai must be held in the early morning to accommodate evening prime time PPV TV in the US and Mexico).
Even the Filipino OFW?s in that part of the world can not be depended upon. Those guys are better off sending their money home rather than spending it on a fight. I guess there are not too many Mexican fight fans in Dubai either.
I ask - How many fight fans will fly to Dubai to see Pacquiao fight a confirmed cheater in Margarito? For sure, the common tao will not be able to afford a flight there. In addition, Margarito who was suspended by the California State Athletic Commission for alleged illegal substance in his hand wraps should not be rewarded with a large money - making fight with Pacquiao. He is a cheater. Thus, he does not deserve it!
Nothing personal, but I say he should just fight in Mexico where they do not have qualms issuing licenses to cheaters like him.
Further, Pacquiao is now holding a very honorable position in the community as a Congressman. He should not even allow his name mentioned in the same sentence as Margarito. Their community standings are so far apart!
Now, you may say that I am too harsh with Margarito. But Margarito never showed remorse for what he did and in fact tried to thumb his nose to the CSAC by
applying for a license in Nevada and even Texas, so why should I go easy on him?
Miguel Cotto?
Why?
The Congressman has nothing to prove against Cotto. He beat him bad on the first fight. You think Cotto can do any better the second time around? Of course not, silly! Not even at 154lbs.
Cotto is finished and is not the same Cotto prior to his fight with Margarito. Pacquiao gets nothing but an alphabet belt with a fight with Cotto. He does not need that anymore at this point of his career. He is already a legend even without it! For sure it is just a matter of time when he will be inducted to the Hall of Fame.
Michael Koncz, his ?adviser? is saying perhaps the Congressman should go after the title of Cotto. If he wanted his boss to win that title on the first place, why did he not ?advise? Pacquiao to fight Yuri Foreman when the guy held it? A tiff with Foreman would have been a better for Pacquiao at 154lbs. Needless to say, easier too.
What an ?adviser, huh? Oh, pardon me. I think he just recently stated that he is now ?partner? with Pacquiao. Do I say - ?hip, hip hooray??
A ?partner? does not remove the best trainer in the world to train fighters the ?partnership? promotes and replaces them with an upstart no matter how-well
meaning is the latter. But, I digress.
I see the rush to have the Congressman fight in November as nothing more than a money-making venture for the promoters and Koncz. The push for a fight is more for them than for Pacquiao. It seems they are maximizing Pacquiao?s production ability now that he is about to switch from boxing to politics permanently.
It?s not for the fans either. Otherwise, they would not settle for anything less than one with Mayweather to satisfy the fans even if it means waiting for 2011.
But in fairness, those are their jobs.
Manny Pacquiao does not need to agree to fight, unless it is with Mayweather in November or early in 2011.
If a fight is with Margarito or Cotto is the best the power brokers can get for him, perhaps it is far better for the good Congressman to simply ?hang them up? and concentrate on his new found love - being the Congressman of Sarangani. He will be spending his time and energy better that way. And, he will keep his health intact as he serves his constituents.
With that he can make good his campaign promises with a healthy body and a clear mind.
How about his promoters and advisers?
Not to worry.
They can always move on and find another guy to make money for them. That?s just how it is in boxing.
But one thing for sure. They will never find another Pacquiao. The guy is simply one of a kind.
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Ed de la Vega, DDS.
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