Millionaires, celebrities, ‘people of import’ all turned up to the Pacquiao-Mayweather “Fight of the Century”. Vegas airport terminals were literally ‘traffic jammed’ with private jets, all clambering to get their money junkie occupants to their exorbitantly priced ringside seats. Untold millions around the globe tuning in; many paying upwards of US$100 to access the television coverage of the bout in question. 15,000 households in the Philippines putatively having to switch off their refrigerators in order to conserve electricity just so they could watch the fight… :rolleyes:
What does it say about society that the literal criminal, arguable misogynist and proven recidivist woman beater could not only draw such crowds to a boxing match, but that he was permitted to continue in the sport after such a dubious societal track record? Are females really held in such low regard in today’s world?
If someone were to assault people based on race - punching everyone they saw who they did not like base purely on their racial derivation - would they be allowed to continue in a vocation where they are clearly a role model for impressionable youth? If someone clobbered the elderly because they were ageist, would they be accepted as influential members of society?
I wager the answers to the above questions is a resounding No!. So, why does Floyd Mayweather seemingly get a pass? Because he’s served his time, as the law saw fit? Because his in-ring persona is somehow removed from his private self? Because they were ‘crimes of passion’? Hmmm… :dubious:
And what of the aforementioned slew of celebrities, who themselves are role models – what kind of example did they set by appearing at this boxing match? Do these people not have a responsibility in their character as celebrities to present a public image which conveys a positive example to those who are invariably influenced by them? Or are they paid only to prance around in front of cameras and the like, and thereby, somehow in doing this, divest themselves of all responsibility to society?
Now, I appreciate the character in question has spent his life being punch in the noggin and almost certainly suffers a degree of brain damage. So, as with NFL or WWE stars-turned-murders / spouse abusers / general misfits, this has likely a lot to do with Floyd Mayweather’s away-from-the-ring disposition (see: Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy). But this does not excuse the guy’s actions and nor does it exonerate the sport he prospers from of culpability.
Mayweather was refused an entry visa into Australia based on his criminal record – how low are the boxing authorities’ standards set for those they employ? Granted, boxing is hardly a sport of integrity – did not Mayweather cherry-pick the referee, judges, venue and even negotiate the prize money for the bout in question…? Notwithstanding, those who govern boxing must surely be held accountable for the governance of their own sport… no? And if so, what kind of sport effectively promotes the abuse of females?! :dubious: