There is a great quote attributed to Benjamin Franklin about procrastination that sprang into my mind on Saturday, 8 December upon seeing the spectacular knockout of the Pacman; "You may delay, but time will not!"
Floyd Mayweather did not absquatulate from Pacquiao; I truly believe neither Floyd nor Manny fear any man. I also believe Floyd fully intended to fight Manny in what could have been the Mayweather Show Finale; however procrastination for whatever means has cost Mayweather the opportunity of giving his truly brilliant career the fitting end it deserves - by proving his greatness once and for all in giving Pacman the drubbing of his life as he has said he would do each time it has been brought up for discussion!
So while I don't think for one second that Floyd avoided Manny out of fear as that theory bears no logic under scrutiny. Nevertheless the responsibility for the fight not happening between what were considered just a short while ago the two best men in the sport has to ultimately lie with the current pound for pounder. So onto his final fight: Mayweather could by now have already fought Timothy Bradley or Saul Alverez if he had not had to serve a little jail time and indeed he may still choose do so but at 35 years old how much longer will he want to fight on and risk an undefeated record? Beating either of these men will make little or no difference to his legacy. Everyone in the sport knows he can pretty much fight who and when he wants to a large degree such is the payday and opportunity for glory that he brings to the table of negotiation. However, as great has Mayweather is, even he couldn't have done a better job of finishing off Pacquiao than Marquez did last week! This was the most conclusive loss of the great Pacman's career; The Giant Killer was truly slain-in style. Huge Antonio Margarito couldn't do it, neither could the highly skilled Miguel Cotto nor heavy handed Joshua Clottey nor veteran Shane Mosley and let's be honest, neither could Tim Bradley truly beat Pacquiao when they fought even though statistically he did in what must be the worst judging decision of the year.
The fight between Money and Pacman would certainly no longer be the box office-shattering event it would have been not so long ago with it's crossover appeal and the pound for pound decider status it would have carried. It is no longer between the two best men in the business -Marquez removed all doubt last weekend once and for all over who is the better man between him and the Philippine legend. Now, who even knows what fight will next for Mayweather's as he must finally be mapping out its conclusion? Robert Guerrero, Andre Berto or maybe 'Canelo' Alverez? None of these men however excellent they may be, I fear will pose the threat that a motivated Pacquiao would have. After them who can step up to the plate for the swansong of the great one? Maybe the much over hyped yet still deluded Amir Khan will move up a weight to become the final victim for Floyd in what surely would be the blood soaked mismatch of the decade. Then again, if we're being fair, (and we're not, lets face it, not much in boxing is fair) if Khan were to deserve this shot at greatness he should surely be behind Danny Garcia and Lamont Peterson in the queue. Both of these great guys would give Floyd at least as spirited a challenge as the talented but chinny Amir. That's only one of the reasons why I don't think the fight with Khan will happen. It's a pity that there is such a space in weight dividing Floyd from the only fighter in the world who really could test him on a skills level as well as all other departments - Andre Ward.
Mayweather v Pacquiao for all of the marbles would have been the perfect end to the career of probably the most gifted and extraordinarily talented fighter since the peak Roy Jones. In any event this is now a mute point as it appears we will have to settle for procrastination being the true pound for pound winner at this juncture in boxing history.