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That was an utterly underwhelming ‘fight of the century,’ all can agree. Initial reactions were of anger directed toward Floyd Mayweather, Jr: Why the hell did he keep running and hugging? The next wave of emotions came toward Manny: Why the hell did he keep his shoulder injury a secret?
On May 4, Examiner.com published a sobering story on Pacquiao’s loss. Written by Marv Dumon, “Deadly Sins of Manny’s Apostles (Team Pacquiao),” lists for major faults of Team Pacquiao: arrogance, delusion, incompetence, and greed. “Bettors for Pacman — those who wagered on Pacquiao — lost a fortune because they were not told the truth. That’s the bottom line. Everything else Bob Arum tells the paying public is…Bull. Shit.”
He raises valid points, yes, but they each invite rebuttal and reaction. Below are ours. If you want to read it in full, click here. It’s good, but long.
1. On sin # 1: Arrogance
To say that Pacquiao and his team underestimated Mayweather is laughable. Pacquiao himself acknowledged this was the greatest fight in his career. Was he arrogant to think he could knock Mayweather out? The better question: shouldn’t boxers have that “I will knock the enemy out” mentality every time they come into a fight?
Manny and his team believed in what he could do, not because they believed their own press, but because they got to where they are now, doing what they’ve been doing all along.
As for the ‘adoring Philippine media’ — sure, Pinoy pressmen may have been biased in their knockout predictions. But they wouldn’t speak so freely without basis, which came from covering Manny’s past fights and keeping an eye on his training.
Early knockout predictions came from seeing clips of both figthers’ most recent fights — Manny looked like he’s gotten his form back, while Mayweather had trouble with aggressive brawlers and power punchers.
What set Manny apart from other brawlers was his endurance, beautifully displayed in his most recent fight against Chris Algieri. We knew he could and would hit Mayweather again and again, and not get tired.
Should we have covered more of Mayweather’s training? Perhaps. But, did anyone have as much access to that as they did with Pacquiao? That Mayweather mentioned he knew what was happening over at Manny’s camp, maybe the better question is: should we have covered Pacquiao’s training less?
2. On Manny’s delusion
“There was absolutely no need for Manny to believe Floyd was an easy fight; that Mayweather was running but could no longer hide… the man is/was 47-0. You may hate Mayweather in real life but give credit where it’s due,” Dumon writes.
First, Manny didn’t think Floyd was an easy fight — his training is testament to that. But, was it delusional for Manny and the rest of Team Pacquiao to expect an all-out brawl? We concede.
Just as Pacquiao came into the fight with his best play, Mayweather did the same. He put on his best defense.
Perhaps Pacquiao should’ve planned his attacks around Floyd’s defenses. But then again, he, like the rest of Team Pacquiao, was coming from the old school thinking that boxing is a violent contact sport. Boxers should be hitting each other, not punching for points. If this makes us delusional, then put the entire sport along with us. Gunning for points is what “killed” boxing, many have said.
3. On the deadly sin of incompetence
“Hiring other expert trainers would have really helped…Manny should’ve hired experts who have strategized against villain Floyd.”
It’s true that another voice in training could’ve helped Team Pacquiao. His current team readied themselves for an all-out war, thinking Mayweather would go head-to-head with him. They looked to do two things: attack relentlessly and trap Mayweather in the corner.
While Mayweather stuck to the style of boxing that gave him 47-0, he was able to figure out how to get out of the corner and neutralize Manny’s aggressiveness by the 5th round. When they got to the championship rounds, he switched to become more aggressive. He adjusted. Pacquiao didn’t.
By having the same people on board, Team Pacquiao got stuck in the same thinking, with the same attitude. Instead of preparing a Plan B, he continued with his press action play — albeit cautiously, maybe fearing for another Marquez-like KO counter — in the hopes of Mayweather eventually engaging. Mayweather didn’t.
Yes, new faces could’ve refreshed Pacquiao’s strategy, but knowing Pacquiao’s character, it was unsurprising for him to stick with the team that brought him where he is today. His shaky Twitter selfie says it all.
14 years in the gym for 1 night in the ring. #MayPac pic.twitter.com/VWWxeEkyN9
— Manny Pacquiao (@MannyPacquiao) May 3, 2015
4. On greed
“Bob Arum sold us a defective product…Top Rank and Team Pacquiao should have done the right thing by rescheduling.”
A valid point which we agree with, but remember: Pacquiao had to submit to all conditions set by Mayweather just so this fight could happen. News about this injury could easily have had Mayweather say it’s not his fault and he’s still set to fight on May 2 with or without Pacquiao.
A better accusation than greed is Team Pacquiao’s wanted to make this fight happen. They wanted it badly to happen. Was it for the money? Accuse Pacquiao of greed, accuse Mayweather of the same.
But it’s true what Dumon said: Re-scheduling would would have made the promotion honest and the fight, fair.
And should Mayweather not agree to that, then he could and would become more of the villain that we already think he is.
