Muhammad Ali Is Rooting For Manny Pacquaio So I Don't Think Any Of Us Can Legally Root For Mayweather Now

Guardian – Muhammad Ali’s daughter says that the former heavyweight champion is rooting for Manny Pacquiao in the forthcoming fight against Floyd Mayweather.

Rasheda Ali told TMZ Sports: “My dad is Team Pacquiao all the way.” She added: “My dad really likes Manny. He’s a huge fan of his.

“He knows Manny’s a great fighter but it’s more about what he does outside the ring. He’s such a charitable person.”

Pacquiao and Ali have been friends for years, she added, with the Filipino boxer and politician a guest at the older man’s 70th birthday party in 2012. “My dad stood for things,” she said. “Mayweather … I don’t think there’s a comparison.”

Floyd Mayweather is a pretty huge dick but I have to admit I’ve got a soft spot for him. Someone that good at what he does deserves a little bit of leeway to be a bit of an asshole in general, no one gave Van Gogh shit for cutting off his ear because that’s just the kind of thing that happens when you’re dealing with (admittedly possibly illiterate) genius. But when it comes to Muhammad Ali, I just can’t go against the guy. Legendary fighter, man with real serious convictions, publicly battling Parkinson’s in a way that could only be described as inspirational…rooting for Mayweather over Pacquiao now is basically spitting in the face of all of that. I don’t think Pacquiao stands a chance given that he hasn’t fought a decent match in years but do you have the heart to tell that to The Greatest? I sure don’t. I might even blast one of Pacquiao’s singles and pretend it’s a good song and not Japanese businessman karaoke just to be safe because I’ll be damned if I’m the one who disappoints Muhammad Ali.

FYI to Rasheda Ali though, Mayweather clearly stands for things: Money, reminding people he has money, reminding himself he has money. Also shitting all over Jim Lampley and Larry Merchant. They may not all be important things but they are things.

(pic via Flickr, must have missed that fight..pretty surprised an athletic commission approved it tbh)