Mayweather Destroyed Pacquiao: Where Does Boxing Go From Here?

Manny Didn't Think He Lost the Fight

The biggest fight in welterweight history didn't live up to the hype. The non boxing fan jumped in on the pay per view and were unsatisfied with the outcome. Most had never purchased a Floyd Mayweather fight before, and didn't realize that he fights with a hit and not get hit strategy. They were disappointed in the outcome because they expected more. I didn't...I bought the fight knowing exactly how it would play out.

Floyd had the size advantage, and we all knew that. Manny is a hard hitting welterweight champion, but we'd all seen Floyd fight true middleweights and take the punches. I knew he could take anything Manny threw at him. The only real chance that Manny had was going right after Floyd with volume punching. That didn't happen for whatever reason it may be. If Manny fought injured he knew his chances of winning were almost none. The odds were already stacked against him, and he had to know he had no chance of winning being injured..

There was a lot of money on the line. Manny didn't know if Floyd would give him another chance if he let this one get away. I think Floyd would have given him a shot later, and mostly because I think he knew he could beat him. This was a fight for more than money, and they both had plenty of fame. This was the fight to see who was the better welterweight of this era. They gotten where they both were by defeating many of the same opponents. This fight should have happened in 2010. I honestly believe it would have been a better fight.

Manny Pacquiao believed he won, and despite what the HBO crew were saying post fight. Manny took it to Floyd at times but never really had him in trouble. It appeared that Floyd could do whatever he wanted to do. Manny said Floyd never hurt him, but he definitely outpointed him. It was a typical Mayweather fight. He out boxed his opponent and never sustained any damage to himself. I still respect  Manny Pacquiao, but he didn't win the fight and didn't even get as close as Marcos Maidana got in their first fight.

Nobody really wants to see a rematch. I'd like to see Floyd fight Keith Thurman next. That would be the win that ties Marciano's 49-0 record. If Manny could beat a solid championship worthy fighter, and Floyd fights one more time to break the record, well then maybe a rematch would be in order. If Floyd beats Thurman and Pacquiao again on his way off into the sunset he'd be considered the best welterweight of all time.


What's After Mayweather vs. Pacquiao?

There are some who believe this was boxing's last big mega event. After what this fight produced they might be right.

The average boxing fans could pair up some pretty good fights. Some of these fights could be considered mega fights. If Canelo ends up fighting Ganady Golovkin that would be huge, but without the half a decade build up could it be as big? Are the names big enough? Outside of the boxing community they might not be, but neither were all the others until they were properly advertised. There are some really good fighters out there. Some of them are on the cusp of greatness. Danny Garcia has had a couple of fights go his way that shouldn't have. He still remains undefeated and as marketable as anyone. Amir Khan has resurfaced as a legit contender. If he stays away from Mayweather he might remain that way.

Keith Thurman could be the future of the welterweight division. There is talk of a Mayweather vs. Thurman fight, and that fight would be huge for both men. If Mayweather were to beat him he'd be defeating a future star. It would be like the Canelo win. Both fighters are going places in the sport. Floyd would be remembered favorably for a victory over Thurman. There are a half dozen fighters trying to move into relevance. Adrian Broner, Lucus Mattessee, Shawn Porter, Devon Alexander, Kell Brook, and Marcos Maidana. If Jessie Vargas beats Tim Bradley then he would also be among the true contenders. Boxing goes as the heavyweight division goes and I think it's on the way back. Another blockbuster fight Wladimir Klitschko vs. Deonte Wilder.

There are big fights out there, but boxing has to find a way to maximize exposure for the sport. It's globalized the way soccer is, but it's failing by American standards. The standard it's failing by is set by the MMA and namely the UFC. Boxing is not dead, but whether or not it's dying is up for debate. Boxing has made the effort to remain the world's #1 combat sport, Coming back to network television has helped it. The ratings were very high upon its return to TV. I think Americans will get behind the best boxers in the world, but after Mayweather and Klitschko people just don't know who they're looking at.