Manny Pacquiao - Floyd Mayweather dream fight means Domestic Violence charges can be ignored

When the stories of Michael Vick’s abuse of dogs came to light, there was understandable outrage from both the public and the media. But the case also seemed to serve as a wake-up call for some sports journalists, who seemed to realize that something was amiss with their own lack of outrage over athletes who commit domestic violence against women.

“Why is it, then, that we barely shrug when we hear of athletes beating up their wives, girlfriends or acquaintances?” wrote John Sleeper of the Everett, Wash., Herald.

Which brings us to last night’s fight between popular champion Manny Pacquiao and Shane Mosley. Following Pacquiao’s lopsided victory, sportswriters and others were quick to clamor for the brilliant Filipino to fight the undefeated Floyd Mayweather, Jr.

Sportswriter Skip Bayless tweeted about the possibility of such a match. USA Today and other newspapers and magazines discussed the fight. No one, however asked the important question: Why on earth would Mayweather deserve the fight, and why are the Domestic Violence charges (which could net him up to three decades in prison) being ignored?

Perhaps no one showcased the lack of interest in the domestic violence charges better than CNN’s Roland Martin, who tweeted:

“Maybe if @FloydMayweather is focused on Manny, he won’t keep getting in trouble with the law. If he refuses to fight Manny, his rep is hurt.”

You see, maybe a fight that would bank him nearly $50 million will get Mayweather to stop beating on women. And it would keep Martin’s opinion of his reputation high.

The fact of the matter is that Mayweather is innocent until proven guilty (which didn’t seem to bother anyone in Vick’s case). In June, he will face the judge and jury for three charges of felony domestic violence, as well as charges for grand larceny and robbery. He is also facing new charge in a different case. But none of that seems to matter. After all, a great fight hangs in the balance.

More than anything, the interest in the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight shows one thing crystal clear - most sportswriters and many sports fans still don’t care about violence against women.

Update: Mayweather has received a slap on the wrist after pleading guilty to domestic abuse. Now everyone is debating whether he will fight Pacquiao before  he has to spend 90 days in jail in June.

-WKW