The timing, matchup and dilemma of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao
Feb 23, 2015, 3:29 PM | Updated: Feb 24, 2015, 2:51 pm
The long-anticipated fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is set for May 2. (AP)
(AP)
BY
Former Seattle Sports Lead Editor
Hardly ever is boxing a topic of conversation with “Brock and Salk” on 710 ESPN Seattle. Then again, hardly ever does a matchup like the one between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao come around.
So with those two agreeing late last week to meet on May 2, Brock Huard and Mike Salk spent part of Monday’s show discussing what is one of the most anticipated fights in recent history with an assist from Joe Tessitore, the host of “Friday Night Fights” on ESPN. Some highlights:
• The timing. Talking about the importance for boxers to manage their careers by picking and choosing the right fights, Tessitore said Mayweather has leveraged the situation perfectly – both monetarily and competitively – by waiting so long to agree to fight Pacquiao.
• The matchup. Tessitore “absolutely” believes Pacquiao can win despite being a likely underdog to Floyd – who is undefeated in his career – by reverting back to being the “reckless aggressor” he was earlier in his career. Tessitore believes that being a southpaw works in Pacquiao’s favor as it affects Mayweather’s ability to counter-punch.
• The dilemma. After speaking with Tessitore, Brock Huard and Mike Salk discuss the dilemma of wanting to watch the fight but not wanting to – even indirectly – support Mayweather given his history of domestic violence as well as what Salk believes is a boring style.
The conversation begins at the start of the second hour of Monday’s show. Tessitore joins in around the 2:20 mark. You can listen here.
