Skip to content
Home » Huge sore point hurts Floyd Mayweather win over Manny Pacquiao

Huge sore point hurts Floyd Mayweather win over Manny Pacquiao

  • by
  • 3 min read

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao still divides opinion over seven years after the pair smashed the Pay Per View record.

When Pacquiao took on Mayweather in 2015 it was a fight the world had wanted for over half a decade. Many believed the fight happened at least four years too late.

Pacquiao was 36 at the time. Mayweather was 38 as fans looked forward to at least getting some version of the greatest fight of this generation.

If you glance back now, those ages were not as old as they seem. Plotting a comeback, Pacquiao was recently 44 and Mayweather remains active in exhibitions.

But it was the manner of the performance from Pacquiao that left everyone crying out for more.

The fight sold 4.6 million Pay-Per-Views, even more worldwide. Mayweather banked $300 million as Pacquiao took home at least $80 million for 36 minutes’ work.

So why didn’t they do it again after such a drab effort in reality and a lack of excitement in the fight?

Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao

That, I’m afraid, is set to remain a mystery.

An injured shoulder ended up being the most-talked-about thing from the fight. Pacquiao was disbelieved by some but explained what happened post-fight.

“In this training camp we thought about planning to postpone as for two weeks I didn’t train,” said Pacquiao. “I couldn’t use my right hand.

“We filed the commission to see if we could use a shot to numb my shoulder. But we understand that we are not allowed so we didn’t.

“Two weeks before the fight, one week before the fight my shoulder was getting better, but not really one hundred percent recovered. At least I could use it although something was wrong.

“We went for an MRI and there is a tear in my right shoulder.

“I am happy though that the fight was still good even though I couldn’t use my right hand so much. I had to back off from the third round because it hurt.

“But I didn’t complain in the ring. I didn’t want to make excuses.”

Shoulder injury

Promoter Bob Arum added: “We filed papers with USADA so the Commission was well aware that Manny had a shoulder injury. It happened a few weeks ago and apparently it was an old injury.

“If you look at the stats, Manny Pacquiao threw 190 jabs and only landed 19. I know credit has to go to Mayweather who is a great defensive fighter, but that tells you something is wrong.”

Trainer Freddie Roach firmly pushed for the rematch.

“He collided with another fighter and hurt his shoulder. But it was getting better and better every day.

“We thought about postponing. But as the weeks went on it was getting stronger in the gym, I was happy with his performances. We thought he could get through the fight.”

Mayweather vs Pacquiao II

Pushing eight years later, and there’s still an opportunity for Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao II, but only in an exhibition capacity.

Recent events in the world have the boxing fraternity calling out for massive fights. They don’t come much bigger than MayPac II.

A fight that could still net Mayweather at least eight figures and Pacquiao a seven-figure check to boot.

The chances are slim but you couldn’t rule it out.

Follow WBN: Facebook, Insta, Twitter