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Some Connected The Dots Before Mayweather-Pacquiao

I tried to sound the alarm bell in this space on the inevitable clash between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, at each stage, for literally years.
Today everyone is all over the place saying that the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight was a waste of time and money. Those saying such things are rightly upset because there’s a chance Manny Pacquiao 57-6-2 (38) may have gone into the fight with an injured shoulder. They’re also mad and disillusioned that the fight wasn’t competitive and didn’t come close to meeting its expectations. And to those who share those sentiments, I say, “You were warned!”
You were warned in this space countless times since at least 2012, how the Mayweather-Pacquiao clash was a “faux big fight and production.”
The production/promotion of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao was the greatest five-year sting perpetrated on boxing fans and uninformed writers in history. Ever since Mayweather barely defeated Oscar De La Hoya in 2007, the boxing establishment has been looking for a monster to challenge the undefeated monster named “Money.” Thus the creation of the Philippine dynamo Manny Pacquiao, the humble Christian who electrified boxing fans in lower weight divisions seemed the perfect foil to the narcissistic, garish and bragging Mayweather 48-0 (26).
If you read any of the pre-fight content in this space before the fight, you must have read “Mayweather-Pacquiao: “Is It A Legit Super Fight Or A Manufactured One.” It was detailed how the fight was more the byproduct of a great marketing and promotion campaign than it was a true super fight between two near equals who were on a collision course, who had to eventually meet. The fact that Pacquiao was knocked out for the count by Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012 didn’t derail the campaign at all. All that kept being pushed on the wanting to be sold fans was how Mayweather had to be beaten and only Pacquiao could deliver the desired result.
There was another column titled Mayweather-Pacquiao: “Why It’s A Dead End Super Fight” in which it was explained how the fight was basically a match race and was a road to nowhere and wouldn’t shape boxing’s future landscape a bit. Now it may be the ruination of it, at least on PPV. Mayweather-Pacquiao was purposely made to satisfy the manufactured thirst that boxing fans and the media needed quenched, and only that fight could do it. Then there was content in an article titled Mayweather-Pacquiao: “If There’s No Stoppage The Ending Will Be Controversial,” suggesting that the fight, if it goes to a decision, will not be conclusive. Well, it went the distance, it was one-sided and now there’s the revelation Pacquiao may have gone into the ring with an injured shoulder. Now you’re left to speculate and ponder that perhaps Manny could’ve competed better if he were healthy. And just in case you’re wondering, don’t! If Mayweather and Pacquiao fight again it’ll be a repeat only more one sided. And that’s because Mayweather would go into a rematch knowing things he only thought before. Things like how he can handle Pacquiao’s power and how easy he was to time and counter. On the other hand, Manny goes in questioning himself in ways he never dreamed of before the bout.
Countless times in this space it was stressed how Pacquiao wouldn’t be as tough for Mayweather to conquer as Marcos Maidana (Feb 20th article) was in either fight, and he wasn’t. Then on the day of the fight an article titled “Why Mayweather Will Beat Pacquiao Tonight” ran on thesweetscience.com. It was explained how Mayweather owned the stylistic advantage and how those who detailed via their words and/or YouTube videos that Pacquiao owned the more judge-friendly style totally missed it, and there was a dimension of boxing that they just didn’t know existed or understand. It was highlighted in the May 2nd column that Mayweather’s straight punching and accuracy would stymie Pacquiao’s aggression, and how easily Mayweather would reject Manny’s sporadic runs and attacks. It was touched on how Pacquiao didn’t have the power to make Mayweather do a single thing that he didn’t want to do, and he didn’t. The predictions above, while easy, nevertheless turned out to be true.
With the fight now behind us, it wasn’t close and lacked drama after the fifth round, sixth at the latest. Mayweather-Pacquiao has to go down as the biggest Brinks job and sting in boxing history. Everyone was played by both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, especially Mayweather. The longer Floyd put off the fight the more the risk shrunk and the purse grew. Finally, after both Floyd and Manny ran out of opponents to face and the public became fed up with them not fighting each other, they finally agreed to give the public one more bath while attending a Miami Heat basketball game.
If you bought the fight and were expecting something substantive, get over being duped because you are not alone. It was a manufactured attraction that was never going to be special or memorable. It was very transparent to see through if you weren’t trying to con yourself into thinking that Mayweather-Pacquiao was this generation’s version of Ali-Frazier/Foreman or Leonard-Duran/Hearns. Now you know for a fact that it wasn’t!
So here’s a heads up – don’t be fooled into buying a rematch if they dare try to push it on you, and they’re just brazen enough to do it. Don’t fall for the line how Pacquiao competed with one arm and wasn’t stopped or how Mayweather really just ran. Pacquiao was never in the fight and Mayweather didn’t run, not at all. Pacquiao is too small and doesn’t match up with Mayweather stylistically, that will never change. If they fight again, it would be a rerun, only not as close as it was the first time.
Mayweather only did on Saturday night what he was supposed to do, and that was beat a smaller fighter who has declined more rapidly than he has who already lost five times prior. If Mayweather wants to spout off how he’s “TBE” because he became the sixth fighter to beat Manny Pacquiao, nobody who knows anything worth knowing about boxing believes it. Actually, it’s so absurd it’s not even worth a laugh.
In closing, once more – don’t let them rip you off or con you into buying a Mayweather-Pacquiao rematch. Unless of course you like being gouged out of your money and love watching one-sided fights knowing the B-side has no chance to win.
Frank Lotierzo can be contacted at GlovedFist@Gmail.com
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Jorge Garcia is the TSS Fighter of the Month for April

Jorge Garcia has a lot in common with Mexican countrymen Emanuel Navarrete and Rafael Espinoza. In common with those two, both reigning world title-holders, Garcia is big for his weight class and bubbled out of obscurity with a triumph forged as a heavy underdog in a match contested on American soil.
Garcia had his “coming of age party” on April 19 in the first boxing event at the new Frontwave Arena in Oceanside, California (roughly 35 miles north of San Diego), a 7,500-seat facility whose primary tenant is an indoor soccer team. It was a Golden Boy Promotions event and in the opposite corner was a Golden Boy fighter, Charles Conwell.
A former U.S. Olympian, Conwell was undefeated (21-0, 16 KOs) and had won three straight inside the distance since hooking up with Golden Boy whose PR department ballyhooed him as the most avoided fighter in the super welterweight division. At prominent betting sites, Conwell was as high as a 12/1 favorite.
The lanky Garcia was 32-4 (26 KOs) heading in, but it was easy to underestimate him as he had fought extensively in Tijuana where the boxing commission is notoriously docile and in his home state of Sinaloa. This would be only his second fight in the U.S. However, it was noteworthy in hindsight that three of his four losses were by split decision.
Garcia vs. Conwell was a robust affair. He and Conwell were credited with throwing 1451 punches combined. In terms of punches landed, there was little to choose between them but the CompuBox operator saw Garcia landing more power punches in eight of the 12 rounds. At the end, the verdict was split but there was no controversy.
An interested observer was Sebastian Fundora who was there to see his sister Gabriela defend her world flyweight titles. Sebastian owns two pieces of the 154-pound world title where the #1 contender per the WBO is Xander Zayas who keeps winning, but not with the verve of his earlier triumphs.
With his upset of Charles Conwell, Jorge Garcia has been bumped into the WBO’s #2 slot. Regardless of who he fights next, Garcia will earn the biggest payday of his career.
Honorable mention: Aaron McKenna
McKenna was favored to beat veteran campaigner Liam Smith in the co-feature to the Eubank-Benn battle this past Saturday in London, but he was stepping up in class against a former world title-holder who had competed against some of the top dogs in the middleweight division and who had famously stopped Chris Eubank Jr in the first of their two encounters. Moreover, the venue, Tottenham Hotspur, the third-largest soccer stadium in England, favored the 36-year-old Liverpudlian who was accustomed to a big fight atmosphere having fought Canelo Alvarez before 50,000-plus at Arlington Stadium in Texas.
McKenna, from the small town of Monaghan, Ireland, wasn’t overwhelmed by the occasion. With his dad Feargal in his corner and his fighting brother Stephen McKenna cheering him on from ringside, Aaron won a wide decision in his first 12-round fight, punctuating his victory by knocking Smith to his knees with a body punch in the 12th round. In fact, if he hadn’t had a point deducted for using his elbow, the Irishman would have pitched a shutout on one of the scorecards.
“There might not be a more impressive example of a fighter moving up in class,” wrote Tris Dixon of the 25-year-old “Silencer” who improved his ledger to 20-0 (10).
Photo credits: Garcia/Conwell photo compliments of Cris Esqueda/Golden Boy; McKenna-Smith provided by Mark Robinson/Matchroom
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Chris Eubank Jr Outlasts Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium

Feudal bragging rights belong to Chris Eubank Jr. who out-lasted Conor Benn to
emerge victorious by unanimous decision in a non-title middleweight match held in
London on Saturday.
Fighting for their family heritage Eubank (35-3, 26 KOs) and Benn (23-1, 14 KOs)
continued the battle between families started 35 years ago by their fathers at Tottenham
Hotspur Stadium.
More than 65,000 fans attended.
Though Eubank Jr. had a weight and height advantage and a record of smashing his
way to victory via knockout, he had problems hurting the quicker and more agile Benn.
And though Benn had the advantage of moving up two weight divisions and forcing
Eubank to fight under a catch weight, the move did not weaken him much.
Instead, British fans and boxing fans across the world saw the two family rivals pummel
each other for all 12 rounds. Neither was able to gain separation.
Eubank looked physically bigger and used a ramming left jab to connect early in the
fight. Benn immediately showed off his speed advantage and surprised many with his
ability to absorb a big blow.Chris Eubank Jr Outlasts Conor Benn at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Benn scrambled around with his quickness and agility and scored often with bigcounters.
It took him a few rounds to stop overextending himself while delivering power shots.
In the third round Benn staggered Eubank with a left hook but was unable to follow up
against the dangerous middleweight who roared back with flurries of blows.
Eubank was methodic in his approach always moving forward, always using his weight
advantage via the shoulder to force Benn backward. The smaller Benn rocketed
overhand rights and was partly successful but not enough to force Eubank to retreat.
In the seventh round a right uppercut snapped Benn’s head violently but he was
undeterred from firing back. Benn’s chin stood firm despite Eubank’s vaunted power and
size advantage.
“I didn’t know he had that in him,” Eubank said.
Benn opened strong in the eighth round with furious blows. And though he connected
he was unable to seriously hurt Eubank. And despite being drained by the weight loss,
the middleweight fighter remained strong all 12 rounds.
There were surprises from both fighters.
Benn was effective targeting the body. Perhaps if he had worked the body earlier he
would have found a better result.
With only two rounds remaining Eubank snapped off a right uppercut again and followed
up with body shots. In the final stanza Eubank pressed forward and exchanged with the
smaller Benn until the final bell. He simply out-landed the fighter and impressed all three
judges who scored it 116-112 for Eubank.
Eubank admitted he expected a knockout win but was satisfied with the victory.
“I under-estimated him,” Eubank said.
Benn was upset by the loss but recognized the reasons.
“He worked harder toward the end,” said Benn.
McKenna Wins
In his first test in the elite level Aaron McKenna (20-0, 10 KOs) showed his ability to fight
inside or out in soundly defeating former world champion Liam Smith (33-5-1, 20 KOs)
by unanimous decision to win a regional WBA middleweight title.
Smith has made a career out of upsetting young upstarts but discovered the Irish fighter
more than capable of mixing it up with the veteran. It was a rough fight throughout the
12 rounds but McKenna showed off his abilities to fight as a southpaw or right-hander
with nary a hiccup.
McKenna had trained in Southern California early in his career and since that time he’s
accrued a variety of ways to fight. He was smooth and relentless in using his longer
arms and agility against Smith on the outside or in close.
In the 12 th round, McKenna landed a perfectly timed left hook to the ribs and down went
Smith. The former champion got up and attempted to knock out the tall
Irish fighter but could not.
All three judges scored in favor of McKenna 119-108, 117-109, 118-108.
Other Bouts
Anthony Yarde (27-3) defeated Lyndon Arthur (24-3) by unanimous decision after 12 rounds. in a light heavyweight match. It was the third time they met. Yarde won the last two fights.
Chris Billam-Smith (21-2) defeated Brandon Glanton (20-3) by decision. It was his first
fight since losing the WBO cruiserweight world title to Gilberto Ramirez last November.
Viddal Riley (13-0) out-worked Cheavon Clarke (10-2) in a 12-round back-and-forth-contest to win a unanimous decision.
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Avila Perspective, Chap. 323: Benn vs Eubank Family Feud and More

Next generation rivals Conor Benn and Chris Eubank Jr. carry on the family legacy of feudal warring in the prize ring on Saturday.
This is huge in British boxing.
Eubank (34-3, 25 KOs) holds the fringe IBO middleweight title but won’t be defending it against the smaller welterweight Benn (23-0, 14 KOs) on Saturday, April 26, at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London. DAZN will stream the Matchroom Boxing card.
This is about family pride.
The parents of Eubank and Benn actually began the feud in the 1990s.
Papa Nigel Benn fought Papa Chris Eubank twice. Losing as a middleweight in November 1990 at Birmingham, England, then fighting to a draw as a super middleweight in October 1993 in Manchester. Both were world title fights.
Eubank was undefeated and won the WBO middleweight world title in 1990 against Nigel Benn by knockout. He defended it three times before moving up and winning the vacant WBO super middleweight title in September 1991. He defended the super middleweight title 14 times before suffering his first pro defeat in March 1995 against Steve Collins.
Benn won the WBO middleweight title in April 1990 against Doug DeWitt and defended it once before losing to Eubank in November 1990. He moved up in weight and took the WBC super middleweight title from Mauro Galvano in Italy by technical knockout in October 1992. He defended the title nine times until losing in March 1996. His last fight was in November 1996, a loss to Steve Collins.
Animosity between the two families continues this weekend in the boxing ring.
Conor Benn, the son of Nigel, has fought mostly as a welterweight but lately has participated in the super welterweight division. He is several inches shorter in height than Eubank but has power and speed. Kind of a British version of Gervonta “Tank” Davis.
“It’s always personal, every opponent I fight is personal. People want to say it’s strictly business, but it’s never business. If someone is trying to put their hands on me, trying to render me unconscious, it’s never business,” said Benn.
This fight was scheduled twice before and cut short twice due to failed PED tests by Benn. The weight limit agreed upon is 160 pounds.
Eubank, a natural middleweight, has exchanged taunts with Benn for years. He recently avenged a loss to Liam Smith with a knockout victory in September 2023.
“This fight isn’t about size or weight. It’s about skill. It’s about dedication. It’s about expertise and all those areas in which I excel in,” said Eubank. “I have many, many more years of experience over Conor Benn, and that will be the deciding factor of the night.”
Because this fight was postponed twice, the animosity between the two feuding fighters has increased the attention of their fans. Both fighters are anxious to flatten each other.
“He’s another opponent in my way trying to crush my dreams. trying to take food off my plate and trying to render me unconscious. That’s how I look at him,” said Benn.
Eubank smiles.
“Whether it’s boxing, whether it’s a gun fight. Defense, offense, foot movement, speed, power. I am the superior boxer in each of those departments and so many more – which is why I’m so confident,” he said.
Supporting Bout
Former world champion Liam Smith (33-4-1, 20 KOs) tangles with Ireland’s Aaron McKenna (19-0, 10 KOs) in a middleweight fight set for 12 rounds on the Benn-Eubank undercard in London.
“Beefy” Smith has long been known as one of the fighting Smith brothers and recently lost to Eubank a year and a half ago. It was only the second time in 38 bouts he had been stopped. Saul “Canelo” Alvarez did it several years ago.
McKenna is a familiar name in Southern California. The Irish fighter fought numerous times on Golden Boy Promotion cards between 2017 and 2019 before returning to the United Kingdom and his assault on continuing the middleweight division. This is a big step for the tall Irish fighter.
It’s youth versus experience.
“I’ve been calling for big fights like this for the last two or three years, and it’s a fight I’m really excited for. I plan to make the most of it and make a statement win on Saturday night,” said McKenna, one of two fighting brothers.
Monster in L.A.
Japan’s super star Naoya “Monster” Inoue arrived in Los Angeles for last day workouts before his Las Vegas showdown against Ramon Cardenas on Sunday May 4, at T-Mobile Arena. ESPN will televise and stream the Top Rank card.
It’s been four years since the super bantamweight world champion performed in the US and during that time Naoya (29-0, 26 KOs) gathered world titles in different weight divisions. The Japanese slugger has also gained fame as perhaps the best fighter on the planet. Cardenas is 26-1 with 14 KOs.
Pomona Fights
Super featherweights Mathias Radcliffe (9-0-1) and Ezequiel Flores (6-4) lead a boxing card called “DMG Night of Champions” on Saturday April 26, at the historic Fox Theater in downtown Pomona, Calif.
Michaela Bracamontes (11-2-1) and Jesus Torres Beltran (8-4-1) will be fighting for a regional WBC super featherweight title. More than eight bouts are scheduled.
Doors open at 6 p.m. For ticket information go to: www.tix.com/dmgnightofchampions
Fights to Watch
Sat. DAZN 9 a.m. Conor Benn (23-0) vs Chris Eubank Jr. (34-3); Liam Smith (33-4-1) vs Aaron McKenna (19-0).
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