With all the debate and tension that surrounded the whole Mayweather- Pacquiao debacle, this article looks at things from a lighter perspective. Rather than deal in facts we are going to speculate on “what if” scenarios.

What must Mayweather have been thinking Saturday night as he watched Manny Pacquiao defeat Joshua Clottey via a unanimous decision? Was Floyd thinking this guy (Pacquiao) has an engine for the full twelve rounds and will pressure me for every minute of every round, or was Floyd encouraged at witnessing the defensive flaws in the Filipinos arsenal.

If I was Floyd Mayweather my initial thoughts would have been disappointment not having been part of the event itself, where 50,994 spectators were in attendance, the third highest gate on American soil. First being the 63,350 that packed the Superdome, New Oleans in 1979 to witness Muhammad Ali vs. Leon Spinks II. Second being the 59,995 that were in attendance to watch Mexican legend Julio Cesar Chavez take on the WBC welterweight champion Pernell Whitaker at the Alamodome, San Antonio, Texas in 1993.

Did Floyd notice how Clottey was able to block and roll with most of the Pac-Mans punches through-out the contest? did he detect how the Ghanaian absorbed the blows to the body. Defence is Floyd’s modus operandi and what he witnessed must have boosted his already exuberant confidence.

Since we are on the “what if” trail it’s only fair we look at a possibility from the Filipino’s perspective, so, what if the Pac-Man set a trap to lure Floyd into the ring. In contrast to his previous bouts Pacquiao did not look as formidable the fighter that knocked out Ricky Hatton in two rounds, ended the career of Oscar De La Hoya, and in his last outing dominated Puerto Rican Miguel Cotto. So could the Filipino have deliberately fought this style of fight to set up a false sense of security for Mayweather, for the Pretty Boy to drop his drug testing protocol demand?

Whatever the case Floyd has an obstacle to overcome in Shane Mosley who he is scheduled to fight May 1st. While Pacquiao has a fight of a different kind out-side the ring as he launches a political campaign to challenge for a congressional seat to represent Sarangani, Southern Philippines.

Even if both fighters overcome the obstacles in the coming months where is the evidence to suggest they would both be able to thrash out a deal and agree upon drug testing protocol. Both stood steadfast at the beginning of the year, even when retired federal judge Daniel Weinstein came in to mediate negotiations a resolution could not be found. So these two getting in the ring is a long way off, and it won’t be made till the Mayweather – Pacquiao circus visits town one last time. read more