Let a new "rain" begin

[Noah Fowle]

Now that Floyd Money Mayweather has officially called it quits (again), an earnest pursuit for the pound-for-pound king can begin. And it is not a moment too soon. For all his talent, Mayweather stopped taking tough fights years ago and was more concerned with making it rain in crowded areas than challenging other top level fighters (ie Antonio Margarito and Miguel Cotto- who are slated to face each other later this year). No one except maybe the accountants of Mayweather and Oscar De La Hoya were really looking forward to their rematch, so now it is time to look for those fighters who really are out to unify titles or climb up the weight class ladder.

First up this weekend is Manny PacMan Pacquiao, the Philipino buzzsaw who has been virtually walking through most of his competition since his last loss all the way back in 2003. (To be fare he only got by J.M. Marquez in a split-decision, but still this guy is on fire). On Saturday night in Vegas, Pacquiao will try to wrest the WBC lightweight strap from David Diaz . The Chicagoan fighter proved his metal last year when he stopped Mexican legend Erik Morales in his historical bid for a fourth championship in his fourth weight class. Diaz won by unanimous decision, despite cries from Morales' camp that the younger fighter engaged in dirty tactics. Since then Diaz's only fight was a non-title tune-up ten-round affair in which he underperformed.

The smart money has to be on Pacquiao only because virtually no one has been able to exploit any weakness, because he fights at such a frenetic pace. However, maybe the bump in weight, combined with Diaz's bruising style could make this a closer fight than it appears on paper.

[Michael Post]

Pacquiao is an impressive fighter, and he is definitely good. But man, I wish there was still a heavyweight division. The punch counts in these lighter divisions! Doesn't logic suggest that getting punched 300 times should hurt more? Tyson was crazy but at least it seemed each punch mattered.

[Noah Fowle]

the blog has moved over to http://forum.miseasons.com/index.php?board=14.0
or just go to the forum page on Miseasons.com, and click on the Southpaw button...

Heavyweights, shmeavyweights. There will never be another Ali (nor Frazier nor Foreman for that matter). Those big guys are too slow. Yes, Tyson was a beast and required a fan's undivided attention because he could end a fight in the blink of an eye. but he is the exception that proves the rule. For some real fistic action in the lightweight division dig up the recent trilogy between Israel Vasquez and Rafael Marquez on Showtime. Believe me even a punch from a 126 pounder hurts. Those guys went to war. Wow.

[Michael Post]

Man, Pacquiao amazed us all yet again. And the heavyweight division is doomed, Klitschko's title defense was buried by coverage of Jose Canseco losing an amateur (headgear) fight. Sad.