The ironies of Pacquiao and Mayweather in poetry

In the proverbial bible of boxing not named Ring magazine, Mayweather's story would be that of the prodigal son; strong, rebellious, prideful, lost only to come back received with open arms. Such is the forgiving nature of the sport of boxing to those who breathe that rarefied air of greatness. Of course you will have skeptics who will have a difficulty embracing him back like the older brother who remained loyal and true to his father's will only to feel slighted by his brother's return.

Great stories of rivalries like Pacquiao and Mayweather only happens once in a lifetime- if one is fortunate enough to live in such an era. Plots like this can't be manufactured or scripted.

Popularity, fame and hype can be marketed, but real anticipation of this nature is like a phenomenon that only occurs when two equally great opposing forces come together at the perfect time.

That perfect time is now. Those two great opposing forces are Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.

Think about it, can two great athletes in the same sport be any more different yet equally great and successful in their own rite? Their story is poetry in motion. Their difference in style and nature outlines the opposite paths taken that lead to greatness. So in poetry allow me to paint a better picture.



Good versus evil; Offense versus defense

Pacquiao rocks his Nikes to rock and scramble his adversaries, while Mayweather dances on his Reeboks to rock his opponents' psyches- like a lullaby to sleep.

You get frustrated, tired of it, after a while you submit.

One is a crowd pleaser, the other pleases the connoisseurs- together with those who pretend to be such.

A hero that can end all anarchy with one blow; against a villain that plots of world domination patiently waiting for his schemes to hatch and come to fruition

Pacquiao is every much offensive as Mayweather is defensive.

One is reflective and deflects all glory to his country and his faith, while the other battles his demons and wonders further greatness if he was born another race.

The braggart versus the humble hero.

Humility versus embracing and yearning for celebrity.

So much difference yet in ways the same.

And you can start by recognizing their status as the clear cut cream of the crop simply on top of the game.

As one chases, the other gives chase. Two egos battling for a bigger piece of the pie, longing to be considered as the one true great.

Boxing has been lingering in mediocrity for quite some time now.

Promoters have done quite a job selling us fights and selling us hype.

This one however needs no selling. This one is the reason God created boxing.

Don't take it from us, we deserve to see greatness. Just like how our grandparents and old boxing scribes tell us of Frazier and Ali of ancient times, it's our time to have something to tell our grandkids we witnessed a spectacle of that special kind.

For once, let it not be about the fighters. Let it not be about the sport and the money to be made by it's promoters.

"Boxing", YOU owe us this much for sticking with you when many said has you've been dead for a long time.

If not now, when? Let his not be a tragedy of greed like Jones and Hopkins.

To put it succinctly, make Pacquiao vs. Mayweather happen.

Source: http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-10947-Indianapolis-Fight-Sports-Examiner~y2009m9d22-Boxing-Mythology-The-story-of-Cain-and-Abel