A let-down for Akhil, Vijender finds the fight great

Subhash Rajta

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, May 3

Was it the fight of the century or, shall we say, the hype of the century? It was probably neither; it was somewhere in the middle of the two extremes. It definitely lacked the action, intensity and drama to qualify as one of the best fights ever, but the fight between the top fighters of a generation can’t be dismissed as mere hype.

Perhaps it was the unprecedented hype surrounding the fight that left most people disappointed. Everyone sat tight in front of their television sets, expecting something extraordinary to unfold. What they got was a cautious and calculated fight, with neither of the two boxers coming up with something that people will remember for the rest of their lives. All that people will not forget is perhaps the mind-boggling money the two have made from the bout.

Akhil Kumar, one of the most popular Indian boxers, felt a little let down by the fight. “I don’t think I will remember any particular moment from this bout in, say, a month’s time. Compared to the big fights in the past involving legends like Muhammad Ali, Joe Frazier, Sugar Ray Leonard, this fight was nothing,” said Akhil. “Even after having watched those fights so many times, you still get goosebumps when you see them again. There was an individual style, a signature move, an unforgettable moment, some drama... I don’t think this fight had all that.”

He, however, finds a proverbial silver lining in the dark cloud. “The unprecedented hype and the massive money involved caught the attention of the people. In our country, where people talk mostly about cricket, this hype could do something good for boxing,” he said.

Vijender Singh, the most decorated Indian boxer, is pretty happy with the fight.

“Everyone had been waiting for this fight for the last five years and I think it lived up to the expectations. It’s easy to comment from outside the ring; I think both the boxers gave their best,” said Vijender.

“As for the fight being less intense or not enough punches traded, I think that’s because of their contrasting styles. If both of them were aggressive boxers, there would have been far greater exchange of punches. Nonetheless, it was a great fight for me,” he added.

“For me the fight failed to live up to its billing of ‘the fight of the century’. There was very limited action, not enough punches thrown for the fight involving the two best fighters,” said Kishen Narsi, a senior boxing administrator. “Pacquiao threw some punches in the third and the fourth round, but pulled back a bit after that. They seemed to lack the intensity expected at this level, looked to last 12 rounds.”

What champions say about the fight

He ( Mayweather) controlled the fight, he has great endurance, he did a really good job. It's his era, his time. He is in invincible mode now — no-one can stand with him at this particular moment. —Mike Tyson 

Call me old-school but I like the fans getting their money's worth by watching an action-packed fight. I'm just not into the boxing, running style. I like jumping out of my seat because a fight was existing. —Oscar De La Hoya 

Mayweather was much too smart and quick for Manny. Just as I predicted - boringly one-sided. — Barry McGuigan 

In this generation you have to go very, very far before you can be a skilled craftsman, businessman, technician, professional and a king in knowing his craft. As a boxer you've got to admire him, he's got to go down as one of the greats. —Frank Bruno

Was Pacquiao that poor or Mayweather that good? Mayweather was that good, he was sharp, accurate. I wanted to see more from Pacquiao, I am disappointed. —Carl Froch 

The mistake Manny made was to drop to Mayweather's pace. You need to stick to your own pace. —Amir Khan