Manny Pacquiao is the best fighter in the world.
He has unbelievable foot and hand speed, immeasurable power in both hands (especially the left), throwback stamina that allows him to apply relentless pressure for every minute of every round of every fight, with considerable boxing skills, through in-and-out, side-to-side body and head movement, to boot. On top of that, he has a work ethic that is at least on par with any tip-top world class athlete.
That's just one way to summarize his vast skills.
But are all of that enhanced by any other factors aside from talent and hard work? Floyd Mayweather Sr. raises the question.
Unfounded Claims that Pacquiao and Other Boxers are on Performance-enhancing Drugs
In an internet video by the Grand Rapids Press that was recently released, Floyd Mayweather Sr., the father of boxing superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr., expressed his doubts about the spectacular performances of Manny Pacquiao.
"I believe (Manny Pacquiao) is on some types of supplements. I'm convinced about a lot of (boxers)," Mayweather Sr. said. "That's what they're doing right now. Everybody should be checked a little more thoroughly."
Mayweather offered these comments without any journalistic integrity. He is on point by saying that the fighters should be subjected to more painstaking examination measures regarding this. We all know that cheating is one of the gravest things to commit anywhere, and in boxing, it can be much more damaging, given the physical consequences it can cause to competitors.
However, Mayweather continued, "Sometimes people know what's going on but they ain't saying nothing."
This shows how Mayweather does not have any verified validity with his statements. This subject is sensitive, as proven by sports such as baseball and track and field, and until Pacquiao is proven guilty of wrongdoing, needless to say, he's innocent. And so far, Mayweather's accusations, at best amount to just that-- accusations.
Unnecessary Comments to Gain Publicity for Floyd Mayweather, Jr.
What could be the reason Mayweather said those things?
Those allegations have agitated the public considerably, as Mayweathers are no strangers from, but are those really necessary?
Mayweather's son, Floyd Mayweather Jr. is set to fight on September 19 against an outstanding adversary in Juan Manuel Marquez, and the press freight train should be heading to that direction instead of towards any other fighters like Manny Pacquiao, whose fight with Miguel Cotto is still almost two months away.
Reports have indicated that the return bout of Mayweather Jr. has sufferred in ticket sales, in part because the Pacquiao-Cotto match is such an overwhelming colossal event that even though it is still far from now, it has generated interest and excitement. Floyd Mayweather Jr. insists that he is still the best fighter in the sport, pound-for-pound, but in his 18-month absence, Pacquiao has taken that mythical mantle. It seems as though his father's degrading remarks to Pacquiao are part of this make-believe campaign to stir up opinion in favor of Mayweather Jr.'s pound-for-pound case, as he continues along with his steroid allegations:
"I don't think that he can beat Little Floyd with steroids in him or not. He don't [sic] have that kind of talent or that kind of skill -- whatever he has in him."
It sounds as if there is something ulterior in what he says.
But you know what some say, any publicity is good publicity. If anything, Mayweather Sr. has just produced more fodder to feed Pacquiao some more attention, especially when his claims are yet unsupported. Not to mention gratuitous, to both parties.
Roach and Pacquiao Respond
The Filipino fighter displayed extraordinary brilliance in his sensational outings in his last two fights, destroying Oscar De la Hoya and forcing him to quit on his stool at the end of the 8th in their December fight last year, and following it by knocking out long-time Jr. Welterweight World Champion Ricky Hatton cold in their meeting last May. It has solidified Pacquiao's reign as boxing's pound-for-pound king.
When someone gets celebrated the way Pacquiao has become, he or she would inevitably get his or her share of detractors. People will find excuses and doubt why he is as good as he is, like this case with Mayweather Sr. Pacquiao is one of the nicest and humblest persons to have ever been blessed with such popularity, and as good a person as he is, even he can't escape such scrutiny.
It can be questioned just how serious Mayweather Sr. is about what he said, and if he takes it to the next level and if and when Pacquiao is caught doing anything illegal, the public would thank him and Pacquiao will get panned as he would deserve to be. Until then, though, Pacquiao should not be criticized by anybody about this matter. So far, Mayweather's comment holds no merit whatsoever, and he deserves to be the one that gets the panning.
Pacquiao's master trainer, Freddie Roach, through Fanhouse, has gone on record and is not only quick to deny any of it, but is stunned by the ridiculousness of it.
"Well (laughs), we have taken (Pacquiao) a couple of times to be tested, and we haven't tested positive yet. I think (Mayweather Sr.) is wrong, but all Manny's on is white rice."
"Steroids? Where the hell did that come from?", Roach continues, "You know, these guys, they have to come up with a reason why they lost. They lost because (Floyd Sr.) sucks as a trainer and I had the better fighter."
Manny Pacquiao has also been reached to comment, quickly denies it, and counters the allegations.
"I don't even know what a steroid is," said Pacquiao. "I've never done that."
"Maybe all of them-- they're using the steroids, and not me," Pacquiao responds.
Join the Conversation