By Eddie G. Alinea
What Floyd Mayweather Jr. may lose, Juan Manuel Marquez or Tim Bradley may gain.
This developed after Las Vegas Justice of the Peace Melissa Saragosa sentenced the undefeated American welterweight a 90-day jail sentence following his guilty plea on a 2010 domestic violence charge.
The decision further sent into thin air what is perceived boxing’s potential mega confrontation between Ring Magazine’s pound-for-pound king Manny Pacquiao and Mayweather that had twice been aborted but relived just recently.
Saragosa’s verdict, which takes effect Jan. 6 next year will have American behind bars until April 2 and, if his lawyers decide to make an appeal can delayed the realization of the fight the entire boxing universe has been wanting.
And with Mayweather temporarily be in hibernation, the Filipino ring sensation, who had just disposed Marquez via a majority decision last month, might instead opts to face either the Mexican legend for the fourth time or Bradley early next year.
Neither fight though could approximate the US$ 200 million a Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown would generate, with each expected to get US$ 60 million or more although whoever between Marquez or Bradley fights the eight-division champion next stands to earn the highest pay in their respective career.
Pacquiao could not be reached for reaction as he, along with his wife Jinkee and children left recently for the United States where they will be spending the holiday season. His statements made in earlier interview would indicate he has no problem facing either of the three or whoever his promoter, Bob Arum of Top Rank, would choose to be his next opponent.
“As I have been telling you media people, I am ready to fight anybody, Mayweather, Marquez, anybody. No problem with me. Gusto ko lang si Mayweather because that’s what boxing people want,” he told this writer recently.
The reigning World Boxing Organization welterweight kingpin himself has a pending defamation case against Mayweather, his father Floyd Sr. and uncle Roger.
The court’s decision on Mayweather came about after he pleaded guilty to a lesser charge. His high-priced lawyers Reichard Wright and Karen Winckler said they will appeal Saragosa’s decision which in all probability would further delay negotiations on the Pacquiao-Mayweatrher bout.
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