Pacquiao shows Mayweather how a true boxing champion should act

In the ring there may be nothing to choose between them but outside of it there is a gulf between the two pound-for-pound greats.

The difference between boxing’s biggest stars, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, could not have been placed in a starker perspective than it has in the last fortnight.

‘Pretty Boy’s’ internet video rant that was riddled with expletives and racial slurs aimed at the Filipino boxing star went beyond the usual trash-talking between fighters.

Mike Tyson threatening to eat Lennox Lewis’ children and David Haye’s recent assertion that his world title fight against former Olympic champion Audley Harrison would be ‘as one-sided as gang rape’ are certainly distasteful but those words were said to enhance the boxers' own bad boy image.

But racial stereotyping is something else entirely and it doesn’t make anyone look tough, merely stupid and abhorrent. Comments such as ‘yellow chump’ do nothing to enhance a fighter’s reputation for the better in any boxing fans eyes except the few inevitable neanderthals that we could do without.

Mayweather has since apologised for his tirade saying that “there’s nothing but love in my heart” which is about as disingenuous a thing you can say after such an appalling outburst.

Pacquiao’s response was, as ever, measured and responsible, spoken with the maturity you would expect of a newly elected politician.

He condemned the statements as “violent and disrespectful” but was not angry with the unbeaten American instead quipping that he was doing a decent job of promoting any future bout between the two.

Pac-man also went on to offer his “forgiveness” which instantly makes the 5ft 6in tall Filipino about 20 feet taller than Mayweather.

The member of the Philippines House of Representatives also had words of encouragement for former opponent Ricky Hatton in his fight against depression and the abuse of alcohol and cocaine, expressing his sadness and offering advice to ‘The Hitman’.

Mayweather’s achievements in the ring have be immense and his talent is indisputable by anyone with the exception of Pacquiao.

But for taste, decency and all round human values there is only one winner and he does not have the nickname ‘Money’.


Source: http://www.sportingo.com