It's Monday. Welcome back for another edition of Observe and Fight, The Boxing Observer's compilation of observations and random thoughts from the week that was in boxing. Get caught up on some of the most recent events you may have missed out on, including the most courted man in boxing, why college football is like Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, the celebration of MLK and Muhammad Ali, and much more. Without further ado, check out the latest observations from The Boxing Observer.
When did Miguel Cotto become the pretty girl in high school that the star quarterback and starting point guard are fighting over? Last time I checked, Cotto got his ass kicked by Pacquiao and has no reason to face him again. Mayweather's biggest money-making option other than Pacquiao is Cotto, and Cotto finally has the opportunity to face the man he has been chasing for years. Just because Pacquiao "allegedly" wants to face Cotto, doesn't mean someone else isn't pulling the strings behind the scenes...Bob Arum - Cough - Michael Koncz - Cough. This is nothing more than a ploy by Arum to try and keep Mayweather from making more money, as evidenced by Pacquiao recently stating he won't fight Cotto above 147 pounds. Cotto is now a full-fledged jr. middleweight, and I know "Money" Mayweather has no problem fighting at 154 pounds. After all, that's what he fought Oscar De La Hoya at. Cotto could be using this as a negotiating tactic as well to squeeze out a few more pennies from Mayweather. Mark my words. Cotto will be Mayweather's opponent on May 5th.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is the BCS of boxing. Everyone is tired of hearing about why the fight can't happen. It's been over two years since these guys have been jawing at each other about who is scared, who won't take the test, who is afraid of needles, who can't stay out of trouble out of the ring, who is the good guy, who is the bad guy, who is the bigger draw, who's got the bigger ego, who's promoter has him by the cojones, who's got the bigger balls, who's more entertaining, who has other obligations, who has the bigger endorsements, who has the nicer car, who makes the best Filipino movies...I think you get the idea. Fact is, until the two best fighters get in the ring, we will always have controversy when #1 and #2 don't face off. Sounds an awful lot like the same problem we have in college football.
Freddie Roach is the most reasonable man in the Pacquiao camp. Too bad it doesn't make any bit of difference. Roach knows the more time passes when Pacquiao doesn't fight Mayweather, the less motivated his fighter is to train and improve on his skills. Pacquiao is currently being pulled in 100 different directions away from boxing, and Mayweather is the only fight in which he would put 100% into preparation. The longer this fight goes without happening, the more likely Pacquiao looks awful if and when the two finally meet. Roach is aware of this, but to no fault of his own, has lost control of his fighter. If Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is not made soon, Pacquiao will be embarrassed by the time they do square off, or worse yet, will lose a fight along the way, killing the richest fight in boxing history.
Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day and Happy 70th Birthday to the greatest of all time. Two men who did as much for the African-American race as anyone else on the planet. Dr. King and Muhammad Ali stood up for what they believed in and opened up opportunities for other African-Americans all over the world. Other than Jackie Robinson, Rosa Parks, and Malcolm X, you would be hard-pressed to find anybody to celebrate more than these two great individuals. Jack Johnson may have been the first black athlete to ruffle some feathers, and Joe Louis may have been a national hero in boxing, but Ali and Dr. King together were the combination necessary to form some sense of equality. While we still have a long way to go, it's very fitting these two celebrations be so close together as these two men changed the course of history. Today, we celebrate you, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Muhammad Ali.
What would it take for boxers to form a union? This is something I've been thinking about for a long time. Boxers are some of the most underpaid, unsupported athletes in sports. You would think someone would have the sense to put something together to make sure fighters are properly compensated and have benefits after they retire. Too many fighters these days are broke when they retire and have no health benefits to speak of. Promoters are constantly making money off these guys, as they should, but it is far too much because the athletes putting their lives on the line every time out should make the lions share. Just something to think about.
Bernard Hopkins does not want the rematch with Chad Dawson. The first fight was a dud and should never have been on pay-per-view. At this point in Hopkins' career, he deserves to be going for the bigger payday and Dawson is not it. I still contend if that fight had gone the distance, we would have seen "Bad" Chad age Hopkins over 12 rounds and win the title. Instead, Bernard's shoulder would not allow him to continue. That rematch is not happening. Instead, we will see Dawson vs. Jean Pascal 2 in Canada. The fight I would love to see is Hopkins vs. IBF light heavyweight champion Tavoris Cloud. I'd pay ringside prices to see that in person.
Sounds like Lucian Bute vs. Carl Froch is not going to happen. Last week, this fight seemed like a done deal. Today, it looks like Bute's people don't want to give Froch the second date in England. I don't understand it. According to reports, Froch's people want the 2nd fight built into the contract unless either fighter gets knocked out or shutout. So what's the problem? If Bute doesn't fight Ward, this deal makes sense. It also makes tons of money for both fighters. Make the damn deal and let's get it on.
Sergio Martinez may be in trouble on St. Patrick's Day against Matthew Macklin. Sergio is a great fighter, but his recent comments make him seem very distracted on the task at hand. It's no secret that Martinez wants Julio Cesar Chavez Jr., but that fight seems as far off as Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. The only way I see the Martinez vs. Chavez Jr. fight in 2012 is if Macklin gives Sergio everything he can handle and "Maravilla" squeaks out a close decision. That outcome could very well happen, but don't be surprised if Macklin pulls off the upset. Darren Barker made Martinez look human, and Macklin is the more dangerous fighter. Macklin could be celebrating St. Patty's Day in style.
That's all I've got for you this week. Email any questions or comments to dkassel@fighthype.com and I will answer them throughout the week. Your email may be featured in the next "Observe and Fight." Be sure to "Like" The Boxing Observer on Facebook, and follow me on Twitter @BoxingObserver.
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