Rob Carr - Getty Images
Jeremy Lin has become a topic of note for the world's most famous boxers. (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)
After Floyd Mayweather Jr kicked up some dust yesterday by saying that Jeremy Lin of the New York Knicks is only receiving hype because he's Asian -- "praise" which black players don't receive, says Mayweather -- Manny Pacquiao has tweeted this morning about Lin.
He kept it short and sweet:
@MannyPacquiao
Manny Pacquiao God Bless Jeremy Lin.
Favorite Retweet
On February 12, Pacquiao said via Twitter, "Jeremy Lin has stepped up just in the Knick of time. He is a great player."
Now, I'll be honest: I believe that Manny Pacquiao is personally updating that account as much as I believe that Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr are going to fight each other in November (this time, seriously, it could totally really happen, you guys), and I'm really only talking about this because it's funny.
This comes off like pure pissing contest fodder. Mayweather takes a stance on Lin, drawing a lot of criticism, so the Manny Twitter comes alive with a quick comment in semi-defense of Lin, proving again that, just as it's been written so far, Manny's "The Nice Guy" while Floyd is the controversial villain.
Just another day in Floyd n' Manny Land. Welcome to the stupidest rivalry in sports, Jeremy Lin.
Mayweather faces Miguel Cotto on May 5, while Pacquiao will face Timothy Bradley on June 9. Both fights will be held at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas on HBO pay-per-view.
0 recs | 26 comments
it seems both guys want to twitter box over actually boxing in the ring
Vicmatic1 - February 14, 2012
I actually think “twitter boxing” is the future of the sport. It’ll kind of be like “Real Steel” except all online!! I can’t wait for Robert Guerrero to fight Vanes Martirosyan!!
Sammlung - February 14, 2012
In a world where publicists become the new trainers, Robert Guerrero has the equivalent of Freddie Roach in his corner.
Scott Christ - February 14, 2012
twitter box produced and directed by oscar de la hoya…get your pre order tickets now!
Vicmatic1 - February 14, 2012
oh god no…
Sammlung - February 14, 2012
One less subject to negotiate about...
no more catch weight!!!
No more ducking, and it will be like having pillows instead of boxing gloves.
any of the Klits can go against Manny or Floyd…
DXB Jerome - February 15, 2012
...
no more negotiations actually, No more GBP or Top Rank… what a great world it would be
DXB Jerome - February 15, 2012
Stupidest rivalry in sports?
Try Patrice Evra and Luis Suarez :)
Sweet science - February 14, 2012
Mayweather and Suarez have something in common.
Shitali Klitschko - February 14, 2012 via mobile
Jeremy Lin is doing great things in the NBA, boxers please don’t suck him into this train wreck of PR battle, geez.
Clove_art - February 14, 2012
It’s ok, Jeremy Lin might not even know who Floyd Mayweather or Manny Pacquiao are, I don’t think he cares even one bit.
Radu - February 14, 2012
Fair enough, no one else needs to be involved in this BS.
Clove_art - February 14, 2012
Not sure if Mayweather is a crazy genius
He saw the success of Jeremy Lin and knew that he could get his name into the social media cycle with a controversial statement. He sent two tweets and now he is on every single show on ESPN, debating the bigotry of Floyd. He gives $100K to breast cancer, no media. He acts like a bigot, every show on ESPN and a social media frenzy amongst boxing writers who flooded twitter with criticism. I’m not sure if the current media should take some of the blame in some sense. If it is attention that you crave, doing something outlandish like this tweet gives you what you need.
Waldo Rastel - February 14, 2012
Honestly
I dont think he is doing this just to get attention. I think he legitimately believes that black athletes in America don’t get a fair shake.
erod - February 14, 2012
I have no idea either, but the fact is that he got a ton of attention for this small action. Almost 100% of it was negative attention but it did put his name in the news cycle for at least 24 hours.
Waldo Rastel - February 14, 2012
Yeah it’s not something I’d say makes him a “crazy genius.” It’s pretty simple stuff. I’m not a genius for tying my shoes so that I don’t trip.
Scott Christ - February 14, 2012
Wait so bibby is a knick now?
battle axe of doom - February 14, 2012 via mobile
Did you guys know that this topic was started on ESPN?
And did you know that Floyd was stating his opinion after watching this topic debated first on ESPN?
Craig111 - February 14, 2012
Is that supposed to be, like, his excuse?
Scott Christ - February 14, 2012
Floyd has created a cult of personality.
For better or worse.
I do think he says what he means.
Even when it is tacitly racist.
His image is now both his cross to bear and his ticket to ride.
He has Celebrity. Notoriety. Big Purses. No endorsements.
Not so bad if that makes him happy.
pakinpower - February 14, 2012
No
But the only reason you care is because he commented on a topic already being discussed. I know this is a boxing site but had he not commented, you probably wouldn’t have known the conversation was going on. People talk about this kind of thing all the time without being called racist.
Craig111 - February 14, 2012
I’d be interested to hear the kinds of things you say when you talk with you sports/boxing friends. Even if his opinion is wrong, he is still entitled to it. People said the same thing when the Williams sisters hit the scene… but they continued to play great tennis and prove the doubter wrong. Lin is no exception.
Craig111 - February 14, 2012
And it was stupid then, too. Nobody said he’s not entitled to his opinion. But he stated it publicly and made it fair game.
I am not saying I’ve never done or said stupid ass things in my life, because God knows I have. I ain’t perfect, neither is Floyd, neither is anyone. And I really do believe as others do that Floyd is, in fact, genuine about this. I just think it’s a crap opinion and reflects poorly on his views on so many things. It also does not help him that he once rambled about sushi and barbecued dog all over the internet.
I never said he can’t say anything. I have only said it was stupid to say some of the things he’s said, because it invites the heat, but I guess if that’s what he wanted then bully for him. But it doesn’t actually help him in any way. He didn’t sell a PPV for May 5 because he talked about Jeremy Lin.
I guess it did make Jeremy Lin a little MORE famous.
Anyway, I won’t go on about this forever — I don’t even disagree with what you’re saying. He is entitled to it, he didn’t start the conversation (it’s an inevitable conversation, and not without truth, as I’ve said before). I just have the opinion that he probably shouldn’t have bothered, and that his views are unfortunate too often.
Scott Christ - February 14, 2012
Entitled to an opinion
I hate that statement because when people say that, what they really mean is “I think I should be entitled to state my opinion without being criticized for it.” Nobody screams about opinion entitlement when everybody agrees with them and tells them how smart their opinion is.
erod - February 15, 2012
And now alot of people are stating their opinions too about Floyd's
erod - February 15, 2012
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