Q: If Manny Pacquiao were to make the fight competitive: 1) Knowing how much marketing power he will have, he will most likely choose to fight the other stars including Floyd Mayweather or Ricky Hatton, turning the sport of boxing into a celebrity contest instead of fighting the real champions (those with the belts). 2) He might also continue the circus act of fighting other fighters such as Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, or even Kelly Pavlik while risking to get a serious beat down in a rather one sided fight that will take away attention from the real fights out there (those with the belts). Otherwise, by receiving a serious beat down on Dec. 6th 1) He will go back down to 135lbs and take on the wealth of excellent fighters that are there including Nate Cambell, Juan Diaz, Michael Katsidis, Joel Casamayor, Edwin Valero, Joan Guzman, Juan Manuel Marquez, Humberto Soto, and Jose Santa Cruz among many others, making this division the best and most competitive in all of boxing.
A: I definitely see and understand your argument. I can even agree with the statements to an extent. Though, I have to say that Pacquiao winning over De La Hoya may not be all too bad, only assuming Pacquiao can pull the upset in very convincing fashion. Though it maybe seem like a celebrity contest, if Pacquiao chose to stay at welterweight, the star fighters in that division are pretty much well known champions (Margarito, Williams), rising champs (Clottey, Berto) or recent title holders (Cotto, Quintana, Cintron). So, in a way Pacquiao would be fighting real fighters, though they will be very dangerous fighters, considering these are true welterweights. Either way, Pacquiao will be surround by excellent competition. Surely, though, Pacquiao wouldn't over step his boundaries and try to press his luck against a middleweight, like Kelly Pavlik.