2. Manny “Pac Man” Pacquiao
Photo by Will Hart
Manny Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) has been a polarizing figure since he tore through eight-weight divisions like the Tasmanian Devil. While the majority of the world’s boxing fans viewed his rise from poverty to prominence as a feel good story there has been a large circle of doubters to his legitimacy.
Pacquiao leaving a trail of prone bodies while winning world titles from Flyweight to Welterweight is a feat that has drawn cries of fraud from some skeptical spectators. It has been argued that a fighter would not be able to carry his devastating power through eight weight classes and dominate much larger world-class opponents without some kind of illegal performance enhancing assistance.
This allegation began growing legs during the Mayweather Missile Crisis when they were both hurling demands instead of hooks at each. Pacquiao had never failed a drug test in his entire career and his refusal to take the test his opponent insisted upon may have been more from ego than wrongdoing, but the result was the same. Fans around the globe rallied on one side or the other of the argument but were universally upset as this appeared to be the major factor preventing the “Fight of the Century.”
Implying that was Pacquiao’s only contribution to the ire of fight fans would be disingenuous and having Bob Arum speaking for him often made matters worse. Cuts taking an abnormal time to heal, a stadium being built just for the occasion and continuing infighting about blood testing were just a few grains of the salt rubbed into consumers’ wounds that was already raw from waiting.
As we all know the fight against Mayweather eventually happened, but it unfortunately did nothing to relieve the anger felt by fans, it only changed it. It would have been virtually impossible for the fight to live up to the hype after six years of spirited debate and obsessive speculation, but to say the Fight of the Century was a disappointment would be the Understatement of the Century. Pacquiao seemed to never put himself in proper position (no easy task against Mayweather), followed Mayweather more often than cutting off his escape and was clearly outpointed over 12 dull rounds.
During Max Kellerman’s immediate post-fight interview, Pacquiao claimed that he believed that he won the fight which isn’t uncommon though one wonders if he really believes it. It was the revelation after that interview that he entered the ring with a pre-existing injury to his shoulder that ignited a whole new firestorm. It is difficult to quantify exactly how much impact it had on the action, or lack thereof, that night and had many seeking a refund and has actually spawned several class action lawsuits against both Pacquiao and his promoted Arum.
The majority of consumers who shelled out $100 hard earned dollars felt as though they had been duped in a money grab and the number of potential new fans who will now opt for UFC will never be known. One thing is certain; fans are upset and will express their discontent with their wallets.
