I did a mini-binge of sports viewing on Saturday: the Kentucky Derby (fabulous, dramatic race).
Game 7 of the Clippers/ Spurs series (an incredible finish in which the Clippers’ Chris Paul scored the winning bucket over the great Tim Duncan–12 inches taller–with a second left on the clock.) It was also inspiring to see the respect and affection the opposing teams, who’d battled so hard for so long, showed each other after the game.

Which brings me to the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. The first two contests left me feeling inspired. This one left me feeling like I needed a shower. It reminded me of all the things I despise about boxing:

– The lion’s share of the largesse from the fight went to Mayweather, who is a complete thug creep. A serial woman beater whose most notorious incident was viciously beating the mother of his children, in front of those children, for which he did jail time (not enough). 

– No governing body in boxing has imposed the slightest sanction or discipline on Mayweather. Mayweather himself denies the most notorious beating incident even happened, despite testimony from his kids, graphic pictures, and his own copping of a plea. One reporter who’s covered his domestic violence history was banned from the fight and events leading up to it.

– Promoters completely overhyped the fight. Pacquiao is a fighter on the downhill, having lost two of his last five fights. 47 other fighters have tried and failed to penetrate Mayweather’s defense, and failed. Manny wasn’t going to be the first to succeed.

– The fight itself was boring. Pacquiao trying to attack, Mayweather making him miss, for round after round after round. I do find myself wondering how folks who shelled out 5 and perhaps even 6 figures for ringside seats–like Tom Brady and Beyonce–felt about the “the fight of the century” along about the 6th or 7th round. 

– After the fight, Mayweather jumped up on the ropes, demanding recognition from the crowd. He got what sounded like mostly boos, which he responded to by berating the crowd. A class act.

– In the pre-fight buildup, there was news of children in the Philippines (Pacquiao’s home country) who, inspired by their hero, are dreaming of a career in prize fighting. Sigh.

So thanks Boxing, for the reminder. I won’t be shelling out $100, or $10, or 2 cents, to experience you and your thoroughly off-putting world again any time soon.