PacMan should run after Mayweather

I have no doubt that PacMan won that fight. But I’m utterly disappointed that he didn’t measure up to the public’s expectations... The vaunted sting in his fists, the angles, the speed and footwork were nowhere to be found. Has Pac-quiao already reached his peak?... PacMan can erase all uncertainties on this matter by declaring in no uncertain terms that he would fight nobody else but Mayweather when he returns to the ring.

PacMan should run after Mayweather

By: Dan Mariano

THE only way that Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao could regain his uncontested stature as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world is to say categorically that he wants to face Floyd Mayweather Jr. in his next fight. He should stop saying “I’ll fight whomever my promoter chooses for me to fight.” It’s time for him to decide for himself and let his promoter, Bob Arum, and the entire world know that Mayweather is next.

PacMan’s reputation as the world’s top pound-for-pound boxer took a hit when he eked out a majority decision win over Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez on Saturday in Las Vegas (Sunday in Manila). I have no doubt that PacMan won that fight. But I’m utterly disappointed that he didn’t measure up to the public’s expectations. The Manny Pacquiao that we saw in the fights against Morales, de la Hoya, Cotto and Margarito was not the same one who fought against Marquez. The vaunted sting in his fists, the angles, the speed and footwork were nowhere to be found. Has Pac-quiao already reached his peak? I don’t begrudge those disappointed Pacquiao fans from asking this question. After all the hype that Pacquiao would leave no doubt in the ring on his superiority over Marquez, he could win only on the score cards of two ring judges, with the third scoring the bout as a draw. Pacquiao can silence those now doubting his preeminence in boxing by challenging Mayweather, the No. 2 in the pound-for-pound list of Ring magazine.

I don’t think a PacMan-May-weather fight will be an exciting one. Mayweather will do nothing but counter-punch and defend himself, and he’s the best in these departments. Even if a fight with Mayweather promises to be dull, Pacquiao should pursue it with vigor. After a disappointing win over Marquez, the only way Pacquiao can salvage his reputation is by winning over Mayweather. He should now forget a fourth fight with Marquez, as Arum suggested. A fourth fight will not resolve anything. It will be as inconclusive as the earlier ones. Pinoys surely don’t want to hear Marquez whine about being cheated four times.

Pacquiao’s unequivocal declaration that he wants nobody but Mayweather for his next fight should start negotiations this year. This might be easier this time: There were reports that the Mayweather camp had asked retired federal judge Daniel Wein-stein to resolve broken negotiations in the first talks between Mayweather and Pacquiao—to act as a liaison between the two sides. Weinstein’s previous mediation attempt failed to resolve broken negotiations between the two camps in January 2010. The reports also said that Weinstein had informed Golden Boy Promotions, Maywether’s promoter, that Arum was not interested in negotiating.

A subsequent report quoted Arum as saying he was not aware of any message to Weinstein rejecting any negotiations with Mayweather. Does that mean he’s open to negotiations with the other camp? PacMan can erase all uncertainties on this matter by declaring in no uncertain terms that he would fight nobody else but Mayweather when he returns to the ring. Will this declaration make the fight happen? It may. It may not. And if the fight will materialize, at least the blame game will end, and our fighting lawmaker will emerge smelling like roses.

If the fight will happen, Pacquiao should devote to boxing full-time. He was elected representative of Saranggani province, but I’m sure his constituents would not feel short-changed if he’ll resume his legislative duties only after the Mayweather fight. Whatever the result of that fight may be, if the Pacquiao of old will be the one who’ll appear in the ring, then his fight against Marquez will be forgotten. His stature as the No. 1 fighter in the hearts of Pinoys will no longer be questioned.