But they will meet tonight. That’s actually not a lie.
It just won’t be in the squared circle under the Vegas lights. It will be on the red carpet in Los Angeles for the 2010 ESPY Awards. Both are nominated for the “Fighter of the Year” award and both fighters are expected to show up.
If only they were wearing trunks and gloves.
But no. They’ll be wearing suits and the best we can expect is a smirk or a glare — or maybe Manny’s trainer Freddie Roach will say something inappropriate and get the juices flowing.
This is what we’re left with. Table scraps.
But boxing fans want the feast. This is the fight the world wants. It’s a shame the powers that be — blame Floyd for being scared or Manny for not wanting to do a blood test or HBO or Bob Arum, I don’t care — can’t get this fight on the books.
It would easily be the biggest boxing payday in history. Yet that fact hasn’t translated into a contract.
So for now, unfortunately, we’re left with walking the red carpet.
Let’s Get Ready to Amble!