MayPac: Fleece, Flee, Flight or Filth of the Century?

“Fight of the Century”

The Mayweather-Pacquiao (MayPac) boxing battle was billed as a mega fight – in fact, the “Fight of the Century”.  The fact that we are only 15 years into the 21^st Century limits its vast claim but it also presumes that it would take another 85 years to top it. But it is also touted as a “mega” fight. So, its size or magnitude is assumed to be so large as it is factored to the millionth degree.

In short, both Mayweather and Pacquiao were expected to perform in this fight, substantially (if not a million times) better than their respective average achievements in the past. Records show the following:

PUNCHES thrown per fight (Career): Mayweather: 468; Pacquiao: 792.

(Against common opponents): May: 510; Pac: 680.4; Connected: May: 210; Pac: 225.6.

JABS thrown: May: 236.4; Pac: 315; Connected: May: 86.4; Pac: 50.4.

POWER Punches thrown: May: 273.6; Pac: 364.8; Connected: May: 122.4; Pac: 175.

Like the others, I would measure the “meganess” of the fight against the career as well as their records against common opponents.

In the last century, I have seen some that were also billed as “mega” fights like those of the Ali-Frazier battles to the finish especially the “Thrilla in Manila”. It was therefore not surprising for me to get hooked to the hype that MayPac would even be better. To guarantee full and clear viewing, I decided to forego streaming as I have done in previous Pacquiao fights and pay in full the Pay Per View fees.

“Fleece of the Century”

Boxing fans had been waiting for more than 5 years for this fight to happen. Mayweather had been accused of ducking it for some time but finally agreed under certain terms. The term used in the barbershop for Mayweather’s acquiescence was  “Fleece” it to the mega degree. Pacquiao’s camp agreed to all the terms demanded by Mayweather including a lopsided 60-40 sharing in the latter’s favor and MGM in Las Vegas as the site of the event.

Fight fans including me paid $100 (more than the usual) to watch the bout. HBO and Showtime reported in record numbers individual PPV buys. I understand that both were even “crowing that this haul was bigger than the GDP of 29 countries.”

The fight having gone the distance, MayPac did split earnings of at least $150,000 per second. Mayweather fleeced at least $180 million while Pacquiao easily cleared $120 million in this bout. Obviously, many more involved in the Sin City were “pleased” with this “fleeced” event.

“Flight of the Century”

I watched the fight live and recorded it in my DVR. I watched it again twice more in slow motion and without the pro-Mayweather biased commentaries later. It was definitely not the “mega” fight that promoters touted. Mayweather did not fight like a champion. In both regular and slow motion, I saw a fighter fleeing, running and flying away fearing to be hit. His supposed defensive genius consisted disappointingly of hugging, holding, hitting, and then, running.

The official record says that Mayweather threw a total of 435 punches – way below his record of 510 against common opponents with Pacquiao. He supposedly connected 148 punches – way below his record of 210. 

How could he throw and land more punches when he wasted so much time, hugging, holding, and running away? The sad thing was, the public paid $150,000 for every second that Mayweather was NOT fighting in the ring – and these were many and long. In one round, his hugging and fleeing lasted about 10 seconds straight and the public paid $1.5 million for such a travesty!

“Filth of the Century”

My barber emphatically said, “Face it. It is Las Vegas, Nevada – the Sin City. Name it, every sin you can think of has been committed there. Different kinds of Lords dominate – not the kind that Pacquiao prays to but to the Lords of gambling and other vices.”

According to the records, Pacquiao also performed at subpar levels. Expected to throw at least 680 or even 792 punches, he supposedly threw only 429. 

Why? First, every time he cornered Mayweather, the latter kept hugging and holding him. Second, Mayweather kept fleeing to avoid Pacquiao’s punches. The latter utterly failed to catch the former. Third, Pacquiao failed to follow up his flurries by backing out after. Fourth, Pacquiao was actually suffering from a right shoulder injury – thus, preventing him from pursuing Mayweather more aggressively.

The fourth bothered me the most. Team Pacquiao is now saying that in a series of incidents before the fight, the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) was favoring Mayweather in the fight. First, a source said that the commission refused to grant Pacquiao’s request to have painkillers injected into his injured right shoulder. Second, the commission also refused to allow his handlers to bring into his locker room on fight day his water, sports drink (Red Bull) and multivitamin supplement (Pharmaton). Third, on several occasions, the NSAC entertained complaints by Mayweather about Pacquiao’s gloves, his hand tapes and groin guard – “playing mind games” with Pacquiao. Fourth, Freddie Roach also revealed that the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) had taken blood samples of Pacquiao a total of 13 times since the latter agreed to the drug-testing protocols according to the conditions imposed by Mayweather in their fight contract. USADA would not reveal how many times Mayweather was tested, Roach said.

The right shoulder injury of Pacquiao was hidden from the public. According to NSAC Chair Francisco Aguilar, Team Pacquiao did not make a formal request for the injections and that a verbal request was made less than two hours before the fight. He also said, the Pacquiao camp showed no proof of injury. Furthermore, the injury was not reported in the medical questionnaire filed by Team Pacquiao during weigh-in, according to Aguilar.

“Full Disclosure”

I am sure that Pacquiao’s injury could be proven. An MRI was taken and a medical report easily obtained. But that is not the point. Millions of people worldwide invested time, effort, and money to watch two champions at their best.

The likes of Mark Wahlberg, Filipino Congressmen, and many more definitely gambled their money convinced that Pacquiao would be fighting at 100% as he claimed. Even ordinary men and women paid hard-earned money thinking that Pacquiao was fighting at his best.

Pacquiao and his camp’s failure to fully disclose his health condition prevented the public from making a wise discernment involving the fight.

This is not just an entertainment where one can say, “sick or not, the show must go on” so as not to disappoint the fans. This is one show where the outcome is based not only on skill but also most especially, on strength and health.

Failure to disclose the facts or to cancel and postpone the event makes Team Pacquiao as guilty as those desiring to make money soonest with Money Mayweather at the expense of an unknowing public.

“Final Judgment”

The decision was unanimous for the Red Corner. The official score card of the Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) shows Glenn Feldman scoring 116 for the Red Corner and 112 for the Blue Corner; Burt Clements scoring 116 for the Red Corner and 112 Blue Corner; and Dave Moretti giving 118 to the Red Corner and 110 to the Blue Corner. Moretti was way off. He should be banned from judging!

Although officially, the Red Corner was that of Pacquiao and the Blue Corner that of Mayweather, the announcement still declared Mayweather the winner.

Pacquiao thought he won the fight. Former World Heavyweight Champion Evander Holyfield also claims Pacquiao won. Respected Sports writer Jeff Powell scored it as a Draw. He says, “Neither did enough to win it. Money (Mayweather) ran, Manny (Pacquiao) couldn’t catch him.”

After watching it 3 times, I also think that Pacquiao won. To verify, please watch the fight again. Pay more attention to Rounds 3, 11 & 12. There is no way that any judge could have scored these rounds for Mayweather.  I counted in slow motion the punches thrown and landed. It was impossible for Mayweather to have thrown and landed more punches while hugging, holding, and running.

A case could be made for a rematch but if Pacquiao is as beholden to God as he claims to be, perhaps it is time to move on to other things. Let Mayweather face final judgment for his own misdeeds.