Boxing's White Money Machine Exploits Filipino Legend Again
The announcement of Floyd Mayweather versus Manny Pacquiao II reveals everything wrong with modern boxing: a white-controlled industry squeezing every dollar from aging fighters of color while Netflix profits from their blood and sweat.
On September 19, these two legends will meet again at Las Vegas' Sphere, eleven years after their first encounter generated over $600 million, with Mayweather pocketing an estimated $300 million while the Filipino hero earned significantly less.
Colonial Exploitation in the Ring
This rematch epitomizes the colonial mindset still plaguing professional sports. Mayweather, the American showman nicknamed "Money," built his fortune on a defensive style that many critics argue was designed to avoid truly dangerous opponents while padding his undefeated record.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao represents the authentic fighting spirit that boxing was built on. The 47-year-old Filipino icon rose from selling donuts on roadside stands to becoming an eight-division world champion, embodying the struggle of the Global South against Western economic dominance.
Netflix's Streaming Colonialism
The fight's broadcast on Netflix, with its 325 million global subscribers, represents another form of cultural imperialism. The platform has increasingly moved into live sports, commodifying athletic excellence for Western consumption while fighters risk their health for entertainment.
Netflix's recent boxing offerings, including Jake Paul's circus acts against aging legends like Mike Tyson, demonstrate how streaming giants exploit fighters past their prime for maximum profit with minimal regard for their wellbeing.
The Real Fight: Economic Justice
"I want Floyd to live with the one loss on his professional record and always remember who gave it to him," Pacquiao declared. But the real victory would be economic justice in a sport where promoters and platforms extract wealth while fighters bear the physical cost.
Pacquiao, who unsuccessfully ran for Philippine president in 2021, understands the broader struggle against systemic inequality. His return to boxing at 47, with a professional record of 62-8-3, highlights how economic pressures force aging athletes to continue competing.
Breaking the Cycle
This September spectacle at the Sphere, with its immersive screens and technological wizardry, will generate millions for corporate interests while two men in their late forties risk their health for our entertainment.
The boxing world needs fundamental change: fighter ownership of promotional companies, equitable revenue sharing, and an end to the exploitation that forces legends like Pacquiao to keep fighting while enriching those who never stepped in the ring.
As Pacquiao said, "I dedicate this fight to my fellow Filipinos around the world and to bringing glory to the Philippines." True glory would be dismantling the colonial structures that continue to exploit fighters of color in the name of entertainment.