Is there a way out for Mayweather?
Floyd Mayweather Jr. may be the sharpest, smoothest escape artist in the world of boxing. But the slime behind his reported anomalous use of a banned procedure on the eve of his fight against Manny Pacquiao last May meant only one thing. There’s no slipping or sliding away this time.
There is a ringing clamor for Mayweather to do a rematch with Pacquiao.
For the record, Mayweather has announced his retirement ahead of his farewell bout against Andre Berto. They fight today at MGM Grand Las Vegas. Mayweather is a 30-1 favorite.
* * *
Whether the report on the questionable intravenous injection Mayweather took would help the lagging sales for today’s world welterweight championship would be determined only much later.
However, there are clear signs the smoldering intravenous injection issue could help decree a rematch.
For the record, Mayweather had masterfully carved out a unanimous decision victory over Pacquiao in what has been listed as the most expensive boxing bout in history.
* * *
What took place behind the scene on the eve of the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, as dug up by the venerable Thomas Hauser, Muhammad Ali’s biographer, however, threw a dark cloud over the bout and its result.
After that bout, Pacquiao told an interviewer on top of the ring that he believed he won the bout.
However, in a subsequent statement, Pacquiao took back his word and admitted defeat; while his trainer, Freddie Roach, said Pacquiao could’ve fought better.
* * *
It would not be that simple.
Pacquiao next bared that he fought Mayweather with an injured right shoulder. He was instantly put on a spot for concealing the injury.
But the suspicious stare has turned to Mayweather after the latest revelation on the intravenous injection he took before the Pacquiao fight.
* * *
Said Mayweather: “I follow and have always followed the rules of Nevada and United States Anti-doping Agency, the gold standard of drug testing.”
As it would become clear, Pacquiao’s request to be injected with a pain reliever before the fight had been turned down by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.
“That is why I want a rematch.” Pacquiao said in a statement. “One without any injury and with fair play. No favoritism. Not one where the Mayweather camp gets to dictate the terms and conditions.”
Meanwhile, there’s also a growing suspicion among poor Filipino side street spectators that all this could be another cheap gimmick.
Shouldn’t we also look forward to a Mayweather-Pacquiao Part 2?
