Nagsimula na ang panawagan ng mga apisyonado sa professional boxing na iboykot ang anumang laban ni WBC at WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. kung hindi haharapin si WBO 147 pounds titlist Manny Pacquiao sa Mayo 2, 2015 na inihayag nito sa buong mundo.
“In 2010 or 2011, people started clamoring for ‘Floydcott’ - A movement consisting of fight fans who are protesting pound-for-pound star Floyd Mayweather for his presumed avoidance of Manny Pacquiao, his perceived, universally-recognized peer in the sport,” ayon sa ulat ni Lee Cleveland ng fightsaga.com. “Those who affiliate themselves with Floydcott refuse order Floyd’s bouts or do anything that directly or indirectly supports Mayweather’s endeavors in the ring.”
Sinabi ni Hall of Fame promoter Don Chargin na humantong na sa antas na labis na kinaiinipan ng boxing fans ang sagupaang Mayweather-Pacquiao.
“The Mayweather vs. Pacquiao match-up has reached the height of its popularity. You can’t keep doing this to the paying customers and expect them to be okay with it,” ani Chagrin. “Everyone involved needs to realize that the fight fans have been emotionally invested in this rivalry for the past several years, so they expect and deserve to witness the historic conclusion.”
Bagamat maraming hinihiling si Mayweather para matuloy ang laban, waring pumayag na si Pacquiao na ibigay ang mga gusto ng hambog na Amerikano matuloy lamang ang $200 milyong megabout.
“But over the last 12-18 months, Team Pacquiao seems to have ‘crossed its t’s and ‘dotted its i’s.’ Manny will seemingly adhere to Olympic style drug testing and allow Mayweather a greater purse and, perhaps, some semblance of A-side status. As a result, even some of Mayweather’s most ardent proponents, such as ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith, are insisting this fight MUST happen and that there should be no excuses on either side,” ulat pa ni Cleveland.
“If Mayweather vs Pacquiao doesn’t happen this year, Floyd will receive the brunt of the criticism from fans worldwide and ‘Floydcott’ will be in full effect for the remaining two or three fights in his career, whether warranted or not.”
“The masses believe the ball is in Mayweather’s court. As a result, they will see Floyd, not Manny, as the ultimate obstacle to making this fight happen,” dagdag sa ulat. “If Mayweather vs Pacquiao doesn’t happen or finally materializes in a year other than 2015, not only will Floyd’s numbers dwindle, his stock will plummet, inside and outside the ring. By not fighting Manny Pacquiao and without any legitimate excuse to step away from such a fight, Floyd Mayweather runs the risk of tarnishing what has been brilliant career and leaving a blight on the sport that may take years to wash away.”