As soon as the first and second round had flown past, you could tell that the fight was already not going to go Manny Pacquiao's way. Floyd Mayweather was the main threat going forward in the ring in terms of big punches landed cleanly, something which can't have been said too many times in his undefeated career! Of course, it was early days in the fight, but those early three rounds only served to show that Pacquiao wasn't ready, wasn't going/able to go for it and ultimately, wasn't going to beat Floyd Mayweather.  

As a keen admirer of Pacquiao, this writer is sure many other Pacquiao-fans felt somewhat disheartened and confused by what they were seeing from the Filipino in the ring. As soon as Pacquiao's best moment of the match fizzled out, ending with him backing off of Mayweather left on the ropes. Instead of really working Mayweather after hitting him with a hard straight punch and making him stumble backwards, only to unleash a flurry then move back and let Mayweather come to him? It just didn't make sense. Let alone, making sense for Manny Pacquiao. 

If Pacquiao handing Mayweather the reigns to control the fight wasn't frustrating enough, his post-fight comments really were frustrating as a fan. Not only that, his comments could well have impacted him in regards to the possible rematch. To stand there and claim he thought he had won, was seemingly unbelievable, but, he had just said it, to an absolutely stunned Max Kellerman inside the ring;  

"I thought I won the fight...He didn't do nothing." - Manny Pacquiao 

This out of character ungraciousness from Pacquiao though, could end up being a lot more than just an embarrassing moment for the normal so humble and gracious Filipino. What made it worse was that you tell by his body language that he didn’t truly believe the words that were coming out of his mouth.  

Many people had believed prior to the fight that regardless of the fights outcome, there would be a September rematch, despite there being no clause for one in the contract. Mayweather has confidently stated he will be fighting come September, however, it increasingly looks like Pacquiao will not get another shot at Mayweather.  

It'd be very surprising if Mayweather offered Pacquiao the lifeline of a rematch now, especially as he only needs two more notches to overtake Rocky Marciano's record of 49-0. A fully-fit Pacquiao may not have made much of different in the fight on May 2nd, but, it's not a risk Mayweather is likely to take for granted.  

So, Pacquiao failed to take advantage of the fight he'd been chasing for five to six years, he failed to act gracious in defeat and consequently may now fail to get a rematch with Mayweather. It begs the saddening question for the brilliant fighter, but, what now for Pacquiao?  

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About the author
Stuart Plant
London based sports writer. Recent English Lit + Creative Writing graduate. I love my Boxing, football (West Ham United) and international Rugby.