פלויד Mayweather & Manny Pacquiao Square Off
In Another Classic Showdown

In The Welterweight Division

לאס וגאס (אפריל 20, 2015) — It has often been said that “as the heavyweight division goes, אז הולך אגרוף,” but that has not always been the case and, למעשה, might not even be valid when viewed from a comprehensive perspective dating back to the late 19^ה century. ב אגרוף, German author Bertram Job’s epic, 420-page coffee-table dissertation on all aspects of the sweet science, he writes that, “Elegance is the trademark of the slim and nimble stars in the under 147-pound weight class that has attracted insiders and admirers of beauty like no other.”

And so it is with what will be another benchmark entry in the rich history of the division when, במאי 2 בMGM גראנד בלאס וגאס, לחיות בתשלום לפי צפייה, אלוף welterweight פלויד “כסף” Mayweather (47-0, 26 קוס) takes on fellow titlist מני “פקמן” Pacquiao(57-5-2, 38 קוס) in a long-anticipated unification showdown that will be the richest prizefight in the sport’s history, and which has drawn comparisons to some of the premier matchups in a weight class imprinted with that elegant trademark to which Job referred.

Although Pacquiao, the only fighter ever to win world championships in eight weight classes, and Mayweather, who has reigned in five weight classes, have not campaigned solely or even mostly as welterweights, it is hardly a surprise that the most important intersection of their remarkable careers comes in the same division for which so many of boxing’s greatest legends are primarily known.

The “gold standard” to which all welterweights aspire remains the late, great Sugar Ray Robinson. Born Walker Smith Jr., the skinny kid who had never fought in a sanctioned bout at any level was a tag-along with coach George Gainford to an amateur tournament in Kingston, N.Y.. Asked if he had a flyweight he wished to enter, Gainford was about to say no when Smith tugged on his sleeve and said, “I’ll fight.” As it turned out, Gainford had an AAU card – you needed one to be certified as a non-professional – in the name of Ray Robinson, one of his boxers who had given up the sport. Smith/Robinson won a four-round decision, ו, although no one knew it then, thus was a legend born.

Robinson was 85-0 as an amateur before turning pro at 19 ב 1940. על ידי 1951, he was 128-1-2 עם 84 knockout victories. Although he is also remembered for winning the middleweight title five times, Robinson never lost as a welterweight, winning so often and so emphatically that the legendary trainer, אדי Futch, was moved to observe that, “He had everything. Boxing skills, כוח ניקוב, a great chin, mental strength. There was nothing he couldn’t do.”

Robinson also had an outsized ego, which perhaps is a necessary component to any great fighter’s mental makeup. Even a trace of doubt in one’s own ability is not conducive to success in the ring. Once, when asked about his “golf game,” מוחמד עלי, who didn’t play golf, responded, “I’m the best, greatest of ’em all. I just haven’t played yet.”

Mayweather certainly brings that aura of invincibility to his work, and maybe not just because he has yet to lose as a professional. ב 2013, הוא אמר, “Of course I feel unbeatable. I’m the best. I’m not going into any fight figuring that I’m beatable. I want to make a legacy for myself as the greatest fighter who ever entered the ring.”

Pacquiao, while perhaps not as verbose, is no less secure in his own belief system. It is those heaping measures of talent and swagger that make Mayweather vs. Pacquiao a must-see event. Which of these outstanding fighters can make the other bend to his will? Who will have his name written in larger print in the big book of welterweights?

The International Boxing Hall of Fame has inducted 23 fighters who were, at one time or another, welterweight champions. In addition to Robinson, those whose plaques grace the hallowed hall include Sugar Ray Leonard, רוברטו דוראן, תומאס Hearns, אוסקר דה לה הויה, פליקס טרינידד, חוליו סזאר צ'אבס, פרנל ויטאקר, כרמן Basilio, Henry Armstrong, אמיל גריפית, Pipino Cuevas, ז'וזה Napoles, Curtis Cokes, Barney Ross, הילד Gavilan, Wilfred Benitez, Luis Rodriguez, מיקי ווקר, Fritzie Zivic, ג'ק בריטון, Jackie Fields, Ted “קיד” Lewis and “Mysterious” Billy Smith. Mayweather and Pacquiao are of course assured of joining their ranks as soon as they become eligible to go onto the ballot.

The lead-up to Mayweather vs. Pacquiao has generated no shortage of comparisons to past welterweight clashes that are notable for the classic nature of those bouts, the widespread public interest attendant to them, or both.

Is Mayweather vs. Pacquiao more likely to be a repeat of, אומר, Leonard-Duran I, which Duran won on a rousing unanimous decision on June 25, 1980, במונטריאול? The epic Leonard-Hearns I, בספטמבר. 16, 1981, which saw Leonard, trailing on the scorecards, rally for a dramatic, 14^ה-round TKO at Caesars Palace? Trinidad’s controversial majority decision over De La Hoya in their Sept. 18, 1999, unification showdown at the Mandalay Bay? Or will it make its own mark in such a distinctive way that no comparisons can or should be drawn?

When it comes to unforgettable welterweight bouts, by now it should be obvious that anything and everything is possible. Mayweather and Pacquiao will make history, and add to it, by attempting to bend destiny each to their own purpose.

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Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is a 12-round welterweight world championship unification bout promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Top Rank Inc., and is sponsored by Tecate. The pay-per-view telecast will be co-produced and co-distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View^® and SHOWTIME PPV^® מתחיל ב 9 p.m. ו/ 6 p.m. PT.

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