Former undisputed world middleweight champion Bernard Hopkins stirred up racial controversy last November when he told reporters he doesn’t believe current top rated boxer Manny Pacquiao can beat African-American fighters.
Hopkins’ made his claim immediately following Pacquiao’s win over Antonio Margarito in a “plan-b” fight that was arranged after failing to agree to a fight with superstar boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“Floyd Mayweather would beat Manny Pacquiao because the styles that African-American fighters – and I mean, Black fighters from the streets or the inner cities – would be successful,” Hopkins told Fanhouse.com. “Maybe I’m biased because I’m Black, but I think that this is what is said at people’s homes and around the dinner table among Black boxing fans and fighters…”
Although Hopkins’ comments are considered racially offensive, they did raise a question mark, or perhaps shed light on a void left in the Filipino superstar’s career. In nearly 60 bouts, Manny has never fought an African-American boxer, excluding his unanimous decision win over Ghana native Joshua Clottey in 2010.
But that will all change within 48 hours when Pacquiao taps gloves with former world champ Shane Mosley, a Black native of Pomona, Calif. Mosley has skills Manny isn’t familiar fighting against, though it may not have much to do with ethnicity. Will he keep Pacquiao winless against African-Americans? The AFRO’s Perry Green and Stephen D. Riley dive into the debate.
Green: Let me start by saying I’m no racist, but I think Bernard “the Executioner” was onto something. I wouldn’t say Manny has intentionally ducked or avoided fighting Blacks throughout his career, but facts are facts: Pacquiao, great and all, has never traded blows with a Black American professional. And when he finally does fight one come Saturday night, he will meet a challenge he’s never had to experience before. Manny is an amazing fighter because his unique combination of speed and power allows him to overwhelm his opponents on offense. But Pacquiao has never been tested against an opponent with just as much speed and power as he has. Shane isn’t as fast as he was during his prime years, but he still had enough speed to connect and hurt Floyd Mayweather during their fight last year. If he can hit Floyd, perhaps the greatest defensive fighter in the history of the sport, than he’ll certainly land a few blows on Pacquiao, who has the tendency to leave himself open for clean hits because of his constant aggression on offense. If “Pacman” isn’t patient against the fast, strong Mosley, he may end up making Hopkins look like a genius.
Riley: The only thing Pacquiao will make anyone look like come fight night is a bloody, bruised-up loser. To suggest that the pound-for-pound best fighter in the world is afraid to fight Blacks is ridiculous. Let’s cut the crap: Floyd Mayweather doesn’t want any part of Pacquiao because he knows he’ll get his face beat on for the first time ever. At least Mosley has the courage not to hide behind drug tests and fight like a real man. But courage isn’t enough to save him from being floored by the most exciting knockout artist since “Iron” Mike Tyson in his prime. Mosley won’t stand a chance in this fight, and we can finally be done with that ridiculous notion that Manny can’t beat African-Americans.
Green: Hey, by no means am I saying Pacquiao can’t beat Blacks at all. I’m just predicting that he won’t beat this particular Black fighter. Shane has too much speed, hits too hard and is far too skilled for Pacquiao to just dismantle him like he’s done his most recent opponents. And if Manny does some how get the job done against Mosley, I seriously doubt it would be via knockout. Pacquiao didn’t even knockout Clottey when they fought at Texas Stadium in 2010.
Although he’s past his prime, Mosley is still the most skilled fighter Pacquiao has had to face in his career. The last great fighter he fought (besides a retired Oscar De La Hoya) was Juan Manual Marquez, who took him the distance before Pacquiao was named the winner by split decision. Don’t be surprised to see a similar outcome this fight.
Riley: Mosley is too old to be a serious threat to the first boxer in history to win 10 world titles, and the first to win in eight weight divisions. This contest won’t be nearly as close or competitive as you’re suggesting. Sure, Mosley can still move quick for a middle-aged fighter, but we’re talking about Manny Pacquiao, probably the fastest boxer currently in the sport. Pac will press Mosley with speed combos as soon as the fight starts, and will have him knocked out by the middle rounds. Then we can get back to negotiations for the real fight that everyone has been dying to see: Manny vs. Scaredweather. That is, if Floyd won’t still be punking out on the opportunity.
