It’s Thursday and that means another round of sack gazing in the back of my seedy mail van. Go ahead, reach in and feel around. Nice, right? Here’s what we have this week:
Agendas
Hey Paul -
I saw your Terrance [sic] Crawford article. And I definitely agree that it's very unfortunate that he gets shafted by the media, and as a result isn't a big start like he should be. But my problem with your article is the 2 examples you constantly used. "Crawford doesn't receive the media push like Golovkin & Lomanchenko [sic] do". This is true. But why only those 2 examples? Did you forget about Canelo, Pacquiao, Mayweather, & Joshua? No, you didn't forget, you're well aware. But speaking the full truth would've gone against your chip on your shoulder agenda. Stop only speaking half truths.
-- Daniel
Hey Daniel-
I bet you think you really “got” me with this. Actually, though, it looks like maybe you’re the one riding an agenda.
I shouldn’t have to spell any of this out, but, when a guy like you intentionally deals in “half truths,” playing ignorant is part of the game. Funny how YOU are everything you accuse me of being, huh?
Anyway, let’s sort out the loaf you just pinched above.
Pacquiao didn’t become a real media darling and recipient of fawning media man-love until he already had names like Barrera, Morales, and Marquez (among others) on his resume. The man-love was shameful at times, but it’s hard to deny that it was earned to an extent.
As for Mayweather and Canelo—Do you really think that either guy has been given a free pass in the media? Give me a fucking break. The media, for the most part, does nothing but rip these guys and their respective legacies to shreds every chance they get. I’m not even going to go into whether the media blasting is deserved or not, but you have to be a real moron (or an agenda-wielding stooge) to think that they get the same blind, fawning attention as guys like Lomachenko and Golovkin.
And, Anthony Joshua? There will always be a run on knee pads and flavored lube in the presence of a truly bankable heavyweight star—especially in this current heavyweight-starved boxing scene. But, as much love as Joshua receives in the press, there is NOBODY rushing to make him a pound-for-pound superstar or eager to wedge him into All-Time Great conversations like many have been doing with Golovkin and Lomachenko from the very first moment they began facing halfway decent opposition. Joshua’s win over Wladimir Klitschko trumps anything on Golovkin’s or Lomachenko’s ledger, yet you don’t hear one peep about him being anything other than what he is—an exciting prospect with great potential and much left to prove.
We kinda know why this happens, right? You probably don’t want to admit it—and that’s why you went out of your way to attack me and muddy the waters with bogus comparisons—but the reality is staring right in the face.
Okay, I’ll be the bigger man and come right out and say it.
This happens because media and some fans are so eager for the Great White Hope that they will ascribe greatness to white, European fighters over black, American fighters and hold both to much different standards.
If Lomachenko showboats, media raves about how entertaining he is; If Crawford showboats, it’s considered “uncalled for” and an insult to his opponent. If Golovkin sports a thin resume and has yet to be truly tested, it’s because he’s “feared” and simply can’t get the fights he wants; Nobody in the media is working all that hard to justify the lack of names on Crawford’s resume—he just doesn’t have them. If a white, Euro fighter picks through opponents to go after the biggest paydays for the most reasonable amount of risk, he’s being smart; If a black, American fighter does that, he’s being a coward. I can go on and on—and so could you (if you’re being honest with yourself).
There IS a double standard in boxing and a lot of it is based on race. It boggles the mind that anyone can even try and deny this.
A Pacquiao Comeback?
Hi Paul.
I’ve been a big fan of yours since I saw you blast the Texas Commission, calling it “The Best Little Whore House in Boxing” (Great line, btw).
I noticed that right before Pacquiao’s fight with Horn, you said that maybe Pacquiao deserved to still be regarded as one of the top 2 or 3 welterweights in the world. Surely you can’t still feel that after the Horn fight. But do you think that Manny can work his way back to the near top again at his age?
-- El Toro
Hi Toro.
I don’t consider the Horn loss a legitimate loss. I thought Pacquiao clearly won that fight. But, yeah, he didn’t look good in there. A lot of his poor showing could be explained by the fact that Horn is a big, awkward, physical fighter who showed Manny no respect whatsoever. I think that Pacquiao, at any stage of his career, might’ve struggled similarly with a guy like Horn.
As for a comeback, I think the script has already been written. Pacquiao will beat Horn in the rematch, creating the “need” for a rubber match. What happens in that third bout will have a lot to do with whether Manny decides to keep fighting and if he stays under the Top Rank promotional banner. One thing is certain, though—Pacquiao isn’t leaving Top Rank on top. He will be fed to someone before he leaves or retires. Good company men in boxing always become chum for hungry, younger sharks.
Pacquiao will go only as far as he’s allowed to go and if there’s even the slightest chance of him taking an “L,” it will be against a fellow Top Rank fighter.
Money Magno
Magno—
Why are you supporting that bullshit Mayweather-McGregor fake fight? You’re always talking about integrity and helping the sport. So, why are you falling all over yourself to back up this scam. They’re trying to cheat the fans. That FloydHype Mayweather money must be sweet.
-- Josh Linco
Haha. Yeah, man, I’m rolling in dough. I had to send in my platinum and diamond TMT iPhone for repairs, though, because I dropped it while picking up my dinner at the dollar store. I was counting my loose change to see if I could buy one or two microwave burritos that evening and I just I lost my grip. Two stones came loose, but it’s no big deal. The Money Team is real good about replacing damaged kickbacks.
That reminds me, I gotta check back with Bossman Ben Thompson about that FightHype Black American Express card he was supposed to send me. Wondering if I can use that baby at Dollar Tree and Goodwill.
Seriously, though—If you really want to talk about how it feels to be on a promoter’s payroll, try asking that older lady with the ponytail who does a mailbag column on another site.
Got a question (or hate mail) for Magno’s Bulging Mail Sack? The best of the best gets included in the weekly mailbag segment right here at FightHype. Send your stuff here: paulmagno@theboxingtribune.com.