Manny Pacquiao has Floyd Mayweather Jr. on the ropes?

Manny Pacquiao willingly yielded the spotlight to Brian Viloria and humbly saluted him for his heroic conquest of a gallant Mexican foe, before crediting the sparkling victory to what he called “Pinoy Power.”
This was on Dec. 11, a sweet Sunday at the Ynares Sports Arena in Pasig City where the 31-year-old Viloria scored what was clearly his greatest win to the thrill of a boxing-crazed nation.
Six days thereafter, Pacquiao punctuated his 33rd birthday celebration, reportedly his biggest and most lavish, with a resonant off-ring move that could easily rival Viloria’s truly heroic feat.
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Boxing writer Nick Giongco reported Monday that Pacquiao has offered to take a cut from his purse if this could lead to Floyd Mayweather Jr. finally coming forward to fight him.
Giongco said Pacquiao swore there should be no problem if he gets less; the important thing is for the super fight to become a reality—“Walang problema kahit na maliit ang premyo ko. Importante na matuloy ang laban” (I have no problem with a smaller prize purse. What’s important is for the fight to push through).
Giongco said this could only mean that Pacquiao is moving heaven and earth to with the hope of the fight with Mayweather Jr. finally pushing through.
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It was a stunner that sent the eager boxing world in a reel.
There was no word from the Mayweather camp as we went to press.
But from a neutral point, Pacquiao’s humble offer sort of puts Mayweather on the ropes.
Of course, slippery as he is, Mayweather could come up with a counter, although its soundness would for the moment remain suspect.
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Says the famous Michael Marley of Examiner.com: “Wisely and showing maturity beyond his age, Pacquiao sublimated his smaller ego to that of the undefeated fighter who refers to himself as Money.”
Similarly impressed was Igor Frank of Glendale Boxing Examiner: “Carrying a whole country on his shoulders, Pacquiao has always said that all he wants to do is make his people happy; his people want the Mayweather super fight next year.”
A third commentator disagreed.
“Desperate times call for desperate measures,” noted Ben Thompson of FightHype.com. “According to multiple sources, truth of the matter is that Pacquiao is currently in a serious financial crisis, the reason he’s willing to do and say whatever it takes in order to make the most amount of money as quickly as possible.”
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More than his tested fortitude, Pacquiao displayed the honesty, honor and courage of a well-loved Filipino hero.
Floyd Jr., in case he’s still unaware, happens to also represent the heart and honor of a respected boxer from the land of the free and home of the brave.
The ball, indeed, is now in Mayweather’s court.
One wrong move and he dishonors a great fighting tradition of the noble American soldier.