NEW YORK, NY — What’s going on here? Again, I refer to the words of late New York sports columnist Dick Young who never was at a loss for words in his era. Yes, back then issues were a constant. But in this new era, the questions and getting answers are more complicated.
Boxing of course, always with questions and answers too vague or inconclusive, we never know. So this leads to recent and ridiculous fight announcements, Hall of Famers Manny Pacquiao, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Mike Tyson.
The current state of boxing is in a bad spot as Hall of Famers and Old Timers such as Mike Tyson, Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are still each fighting at their ages – Image Credit: Esther Lin/Most Valuable Promotions
Hall of Famers who believe it’s about today and not yesterday, returning to the ring and believing a 40 or 50 year old plus fighter can continue to make boxing history. Basically, it won’t work, a senior group and comeback that provides a further perspective as to where boxing stands.
Basically it’s one word, money. And believe me when I say, as much as boxing has faded from mainstream, money reigns in the sport with streaming networks. Promoters see the benefits of Netflix, Amazon Prime, and assortment of other services that have stepped in the ring.
And fighters are no different, flash the money and they will come. It’s a boxing business or free-for-all, an offer and take it type business. Residuals are a guarantee and plenty of superstars of now and then aren’t idiots. The Hall of Famers take the money, they are not idiots and neither are superstars that deserve to grab an opportunity.
Yet this is boxing in 2026, and more of this to come. Because fight fans are loyal, they will buy into the nostalgia of old timers and intrigue of the moment. They will buy into the current roster of superstars, logic of course, those fights have significance.
Active superstars choosing to square off in the ring is what made the sport of boxing what it once was instead of what the world is witnessing now – Image Credit: Geoffrey Knott/Matchroom Boxing
Which leads to announced fights to come, an old-timers day in the ring with no significance, warranting a question of why? And the question of the risk for 59-year-old Mike Tyson, 49-year-old Floyd Mayweather Jr. and 47-year old Manny Pacquiao.
In the next few months as significant fights develop with a current crop of superstar champions, all three staples of boxing history will look and oppose each other in the ring again with separate fights. It warrants that question as to why?
Pacquiao, the only eight-division champion late last year unretired and after a four-year hiatus, sustained a 12-round draw versus champion Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title, his quest to continue history as a nine-division king.
He returns again, reliving history and seeking a win against the retired and return of Mayweather, who holds the perfect 50-0 historic record, one Pacquiao seeks to ruin. We last saw Mayweather in a real fight that went on the record in 2017 where he stopped former UFC champion Conor McGregor.
But Mayweather knows something about money, classified as “Money” Mayweather, setting records at the box office and with pay-per-view numbers. At one time, he was reported as the most lucrative fighter on the planet.
To keep his finances afloat, Mayweather reportedly no longer the lucrative public figure, and perhaps best defensive fighter of this era, has appeared in global exhibitions against Logan Paul and others. Yet money has convinced Mayweather to return and meet Pacquiao a second time on Saturday, September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada with Netflix streaming the fight night worldwide, which shows that means real money.
The official fight poster released by Netflix earlier this week for Mayweather-Pacquiao II – Image Credit: Netflix
Though who really cares? Mayweather does, Pacquiao too, and Netflix of course, but this fight is about the integrity of a sport that needs a more positive push. Last time they met in May of 2015, Mayweather and Pacquiao generated 4.6 million pay-per-view viewers and $600 million in revenue that set a record.
Mayweather won easily on the scorecards and Pacquiao, also a revenue leader, said a torn right rotator cuff hindered his performance and required surgery.
Regardless, Mayweather was the superior fighter and now, they do it again.
And for sure, the fight will generate revenue, though Netflix numbers are not pay-per-view buys, rather more subscriptions and that intrigue of seeing history revisited in another era where the fighters of today need the exposure and look for a huge payday. The fight will draw numbers, gain interest from the skeptics, but won’t be vintage Pacquiao or Mayweather.
“I know I can improve my strategy this time,” says Pacquiao. “This is my moment to prove it.” He wasn’t at his best the first time, and who knows what we will get from two old timers with a combined 120 fights.
Mayweather, the former five division champion, added to the intrigue. He said he will continue to be an active fighter after he defeats Pacquiao a second time at welterweight. First is another exhibition against Tyson with a date to be determined.
Regardless, it’s become a mockery. Nice to relive boxing history but it belongs with a visit to the Hall of Fame. Then again, when huge money is thrown at them, the temptation and hearing the roar of a crowd again is hard to resist.
Who will watch? Bet you will because it’s reliving some history. They will earn and at some point, we will learn there is no room for this to make boxing the grand sport it once was.
GARCIA IS A KING: I wrote last week here at Latino Sports that Ryan Garcia had to step up, the Mexican-American had to prove he is elite and win his first major championship and dethrone Mexican-American Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title.
Garcia, known as “King Ryan” and that young star always around controversy, put an end to the skeptics, including this writer. He was dominant from the very beginning this past Saturday night, connecting an early first round right that put Barrios down later resulting in the easy 12-round unanimous decision. I had Garcia with the shutout.
Barrios could not adjust. It wasn’t the left hook of Garcia, it was his vintage right that put him in position to win. The same type of showing that landed him lucrative fights with Gervonta Davis and Devin Haney.
Now Garcia is a champion and his father is in his corner.
What’s next? The mentality, focus, and skills were questioned after a year suspension comeback loss and championship bid to Rolly Romero last May in New York City at Times Square. Garcia was not hesitant and immediately called out WBO junior welterweight champion Shakur Stevenson. That would be a mega fight and probably at a catch weight.
Or the beginning of a unification fight with Haney, the WBO champion at 147. Don’t forget former lightweight and junior welterweight champion Teofimo Lopez has moved up in weight and presents a formidable challenge,
Regardless, Garcia has every right to now be called “King Ryan.” He is a champion and if the mentality is right overall that is good for boxing.
Rich Mancuso is a senior writer and columnist at LatinoSports.com with coverage of MLB, boxing, and MLS – X:@Ring786, Facebook.com/Rich Mancuso
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