by Suge Green | Mon. July 12, 2010
With Top Rank Promotions fairly quiet and both Golden Boy Promotions and Team Mayweather completely silent, many are wondering if Manny Pacquiao succeeded in calling the bluff of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
In 2009 Mayweather demanded Pacquiao call him out. Mayweather made it clear all Pacquiao had to do was say his name, and he would make a fight with him without hesitation.
It's also been stated by Mayweather, if Pacquiao agrees to his drug-testing demands there will be a fight.
Mayweather also reportedly feels entitled to a higher purse split due to his blockbuster PPV numbers against Sugar Shane Mosley. If Pacquiao is agreeable, reports read Mayweather would make the fight.
Despite indications at this hour that the ball is in Mayweather's court, and Pacquiao has bent to the will of Mayweather on all of the above issues - there is still no super-fight.
Not everyone in boxing is quick to condemn the man who so gladly plays the role of the villain while on the public stage though. Mayweather's closest followers however, are now among those losing hope for a November showdown in light of his uncharacteristic silence. Roger Mayweather, Floyd's uncle and head trainer is in the midst of a legal battle that leaves his continued freedom in jeopardy. Some speculate Floyd's silence is rooted in the uncertainty of Roger's situation. Others point out Floyd will not make an announcement the magnitude of a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather super-fight without the undivided attention of the entire sports world. The ongoing FIFA World Cup certainly would be the culprit of a delay if that is the case.
In any case, Team Pacquiao has made it clear they will not wait to until Floyd Mayweather Jr. determines he feels like responding to the current offer to formulate a Plan-B. Rather, they have already began talks with both Antonio Margarito and MIguel Cotto. Should the Mayweather fight fall through for Team Pacquiao, they intend to move quickly in signing and promoting an alternate bout.
Margarito was the early front-runner in the event a Pacquiao vs. Mayweather agreement could not be reached, however delays in securing Margarito a boxing license have made Cotto a somewhat more viable opponent. Top Rank however do not intend to quit working toward getting Margarito licensed though the Nevada State Athletic Commission, and remain optimistic the NSAC will rule in their favor.
Pacquiao's Plan-B Possibilities...
Miguel Cotto - 35 % - If risk vs. reward plays into Pacquiao's Plan-B, Miguel Cotto should be at the top of the list. Cotto remarked that Pacquiao was simply "Too fast," in their first meeting. The Puerto Rican boxer hasn't exactly found "turbo boost" since their last encounter. Cotto presents a puzzle once solved by Pacquiao, and another title in yet another division. In consideration of Margarito's roadblocks to licensing, Cotto looks to be on deck.
Antonio Margarito - 15 % - Pacqiuao has already defeated Cotto, and so has Antonio Margarito. The "Tijuana Tornado" might do his part in packing a stadium full of fans to witness a battle with Pacquiao, but so far Top Rank's legal team hasn't been able to push Margarito through what may still become a complicated and controversial licensing procedure.
Andre Berto - 12.5 % - Andre Berto holds the WBC World Welterweight Championship. With the pound for pound debate still raging hot, and with Mayweather pulling his welterweight wild card move by facing Mosley - Mayweather may have gained an edge in the welterweight division, resulting in his overall pound for pound stock going up as well. A Pacquiao victory over Berto may trump Mayweather's last play for welterweight supremacy.
Timothy Bradley - 12.5 % - Timothy Bradley has earned two world titles at 140lbs. and presents a somewhat intriguing match-up against Pacquiao. High punch-output, amazing stamina, and blazing-fast speed would certainly present a challenge, however Pacquiao will more than likely fight at 147lbs. which would result in Bradly being called up into the deeper more dangerous welterweight waters for the very first time against a Pacquiao who hasn't lost a single step of his lightweight lightning.
Devon Alexander - 10 % - The WBC & IBF 140lbs. World Champion is possibly a more formidable and somewhat lesser known challenger than Bradley, and doesn't rate as a likely possibility for many of the same reasons
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Paul Williams - 5 % - All risk minimal reward. Williams doesn't have gold right now, just a well-earned reputation of being avoided. This doesn't look likely to change anytime soon, certainly not against Pacquiao. Williams has stated he would come down to welterweight for a Pacquiao fight, and remains hopeful along with his promoter Dan Goossen.
Sergio Martinez - 5 % - Like with Williams, there are unprecedented physical and stylistic advantages Pacquiao would have to overcome in Sergio Martinez. The athletic Martinez does have a piece of history around his waist currently however, in the WBC Middleweight Championship of the World. A catchweight battle for his strap is a possibility, a remote one.
Alfredo Angulo - 5 % - Alfredo Angulo would probably fall somewhere in the middle of the list in terms of notoriety, but near the bottom for stylistic difficulty. He is viable as a boxer who's name has benefited from the exposure that comes with fighting on every major boxing network in the U.S., in spite of this fact though he has failed to breakthrough to the next level of stardom as yet. In the future a bout with Pacquiao is not impossible, but it's not likely either.