The American Public Would Definitely Eat Up a Mayweather-Pacquiao Rematch in 2016

Nobody with a functioning brain would say that Floyd Mayweather’s unanimous decision victory over Manny Pacquaio early Sunday morning was remotely entertaining. There was more dancing and hugging in the “Fight of the Century” than there were signature moments.

Naturally, the two sides will find a way to construct a rematch in a year or so, in hopes of turning the $300 million victory into a $500 million windfall for all parties involved. And again, the loser will be the American public.

While everyone’s first instinct will be “nope, do not want,” the sad fact is that the promotional powers that be will force this down your throats to the point that come summer of 2016, yes, you’re going to get into it and sadly get suckered into the con job and plunk down $150 – the price will only go up – for “The Fight of the Century, Part II.”

That, unfortunately, is how these things work.

Manny Pacquiao is a few years past his prime, and hasn’t knocked out anyone since 2009. He turns 37 in December, and he’s going to be getting shoulder surgery. He couldn’t hit Floyd Mayweather last weekend, but next year we’re supposed to believe he’s going to pull off the upset?

As for Mayweather, he’s become a fascinating individual, a man trapped in the “Money Mayweather” persona that he created. He desperately wants out of that creation, to be known as one of the greatest fighters of all-time. And after beating someone in September, and then Pacquiao in 2016, Mayweather will be 50-0, and perhaps try to wedge his name into the GOAT discussion.

But once again, he’ll have a difficult decision to make: Does he ham it up as “Money Mayweather” to “sell” the fight, acting like a clown outside the ring? He almost has to. But it’ll just further turn off the media, who will never give him credit for being a tremendous boxer – escape artist? – in the ring.

Don’t do it, America. Be smarter. Just say no.