bleacherreport.com
This week's image depicts an unchallenged Manny Pacquiao strutting away from an overpowered Shane Mosely in the pair's welterweight title bout on May 7th. Billed as the fight of the year, the match left most fans bitterly disappointed as Pacquiao easily defended his WBO welterweight title.
It has become clear that Pacquiao is completely unrivaled in the boxing world. He has yet to be challenged by any of his recent competitors, who are considered to be the top contenders. Those who have gone toe-to-toe in an attempt to defeat Pacquiao has been pulverized. Those who seem content to survive the fight and extend their careers without making an attempt at victory, such as Mosely, have left boxing fans yearning for a real challenger.
It is no secret that boxing is rapidly falling out of favor as a prime time sport. Promoters have long been awaiting a savior, an athlete talented enough to recapture the attention of the masses. This messiah has taken shape in the form of Pacquiao, however his unequaled talent may be the worst thing for the sport.
Pacquiao is so head and shoulders above the competition that his fights are boring. Pitted against the best in the world at a wide range of weight classes, the Filipino appears to be a man fighting scared children. His opponents have abandoned conventional fighting styles; they simply try to survive the fight and receive their paycheck.
Each time Pacquiao steps into the ring, his bouts are touted as must-watch TV, leaving fans disappointed as it quickly turns to hugfest. Unfortunately, we may never be able to see how great this generation's premiere fighter truly is because he may never be forced to reach his true potential.
While Pacquiao dominates the lighter weight classes, the heavyweight division is also lacking in glamour. The sport's premiere division has not seen a true legend in quite some time. Cog, who has written for this blog before, believes this is due to boxing's dwindling fan appreciation.
His theory is that the elite athletes who used to turn to boxing are now enjoying alternatives, such as professional football. Imagine if linebackers such as Ray Lewis or James Harrison laced up the gloves instead of the cleats. It seems as though boxing's talent pool is being sucked away by more glamorous sports that not only pay better, but are also safer. It appears as though this phenomenon is a cycle that will continue to take the cream of the crop away from the ring, leaving us with a watered-down generation of boxing.
