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Manny Pacquiao, boxer; congressman; singer; actor; Filipino icon. The man known to most as “Pac-Man” has been a dominant force in the sport of boxing for over a decade. Despite some losses early in his career, Manny has risen to the top of the sport, and is considered by some as one of the greatest to ever lace up the gloves. However, getting to this point in his Hall of Fame career has not been without controversy and allegations.

Floyd Mayweather, who many believe has been ducking Manny Pacquiao and a slew of other boxers for years, alleges that Manny has been using Performance Enhancing Drugs (PED) and refuses to fight him unless Manny takes “the test”. So far, no evidence whatsoever about the use of steroids has ever been associated to Pacquiao. “If they have any evidence, they should present them. My conscience is clear that it’s all hard work that led to my success.” Pacquiao said shortly after the Shane Mosley fight.

Bob Arum has stated that Manny Pacquiao is willing to go undergo random drug testing in the event that a fight with rival Floyd Mayweather presents itself. However, Arum has refused to allow the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) to be in charge of the testing. Mayweather’s testing authority of choice is the USADA, but Arum indicated that he would favor the Olympic Organization to conduct the tests instead.

“We don’t believe USADA is a neutral organization,” Arum explained, “I don’t think anybody’s test is as vigorous as the test administered by the Olympic Organization. And we can arrange for the Olympic Organization to handle the test under the supervision of the Athletic commission respective of the state where the fight is going to be held.”

Is this not enough for Floyd? Would Floyd Mayweather pass on the highest payday in boxing history because of who administers the tests? Would you?

Manny Pacquiao has already made it perfectly clear, Mayweather has to either fight him in 2012 or never fight him, and miss out on one of the richest paydays in the history of sports. Pacquiao’s legacy appears to be already intact with or without fighting Floyd Mayweather. Floyd on the other hand – in the public eye at least – needs to fight Pacquiao to solidify his career, even at 42-0.

Mayweather has stated on a few occasions that a boxer doesn’t become great at the age of 25 and that Pacquiao “came out of nowhere”. While some of this may be true, Pacquiao was already a legitimate world champion in the Philippines at the age of 19, by knocking out lineal and WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul. At the age of 24, the heavy underdog Manny Pacquiao destroyed Mexican boxing legend Marco Antonio Barerra until Barerra’s corner threw in the towel in the 11th round. This was the fight that put Manny on the map as a legitimate contender in the boxing world.

Mayweather also contests that Pacquiao’s rise in weight is unnatural. However, at the age of 16, Floyd Mayweather was a 106 pound amateur boxer and Golden Gloves Champion. At age 16, Pacquiao was already a professional boxer fighting grown men, also fighting at 106 pounds. At the age of 17 both boxers were in the 113-116 pound range.

Comparing the two fighters is pretty much like comparing apples to oranges. On one hand you have Floyd Mayweather, a tactician in the ring and defensive genius with some of the quickest hands you will ever see. He embodies the “sweet science” of boxing and although this doesn’t win him any style points, it has made him one of the most successful boxers ever. On the other hand you have Manny Pacquiao, a Tasmanian devil of sorts in the ring with a whirlwind of punches from virtually every angle. Manny has much more power than Mayweather and the proof can be seen on the faces of Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosely, Miguel Cotto and Antonio Margarito.

I – like most of the boxing fans in the world – would love to see this fight happen one day, but I just don’t see it happening.

I can see why Floyd wouldn’t want to fight Manny. First off, his record is unblemished at 42 wins 0 loses. He doesn’t neccesarrily need the $50 million, and could easily pick up a quick $25 million fighting guys with far less talent than Pacquiao. I believe that the 0 on his record is far more important to him than an extra $25 million in his pocket. Why fight a guy that you think you might beat for $50 million, when you have the option to fight a guy you know you can beat for $25 million? It’s understandable though, because 10, 20 or even 30 years down the road, boxing purists and fans will only see 42-0 in the books. It won’t show you who had the most money or who ducked who. Just your win loss record. That’s historic, but what’s more important to Floyd?

Floyd also had a falling out with boxing promoter Bob Arum after Arum was unable to guarantee Mayweather $20 million to fight Oscar De La Hoya. The pair parted ways in 2006 after Mayweather bought out of his contract for $750,000. It doesn’t appear that things have been rectified, and I doubt that Floyd Mayweather wants to put any money in to Bob Arums pockets.

Manny Pacquiao already has plans for himself after boxing. He is currently the congressman of the Sarangani province in the Philippines, and plans to run for vice president of the Philippines in 2016. Pacquiao may need to put his vice presidential dreams on hold a few years, as you have to be at least 40 to run for vice president in the Philippines. Pac-Man will only be 37 in 2016. In my opinion, Manny fights once maybe twice in 2012, calls it quits and concentrates on his political career.

If you ask me, even if Manny Pacquiao were to meet all of Floyd Mayweather’s demands, I truly believe Floyd will come up with new demands. There is no question that Floyd is the one holding up this fight. The question remains though, is he too scared to lose and blemish his flawless win-loss record, or will he take on the challenge – along with a massive payday – in an attempt to secure his boxing legacy as the greatest of all time.

There is only one way to stop all the talking, tweets, debates, and countless blog entries… FIGHT!