Don’t be ridiculous Jeff. Boxing needs Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather to fight. For what’s best for the next  decade of the sport and beyond, they need each other.

Though Floyd has been allowed to handpick Victor Ortiz as his next opponent, the buzz in boxing is still all about Floyd fighting Manny. Everyone is still talking about Floyd vs. Manny, not Ortiz.

They are talking about Floyd vs. Manny in other pro sports locker rooms too, including baseball, hockey, football, track and field and even…tennis. Tennis?! Yes tennis. Tennis stars Andy Roddick and Andy Murray recently held a debate about the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight (Roddick likes Pac, Murray favors Floyd).

Ali needed Frazier, The Yankees need the Red Sox, Michigan needs Ohio State, Nadal needs Federer, McEnroe needed Borg, Navratilova needed Evert. Holyfield needed Tyson. It’s all about match-ups in sports, pitting the best against the best. This notion came straight from the mind of former Olympic 100 meter sprint champ Maurice Greene, who said it this weekend. For your information, Greene wants to see Pacquiao vs. Mayweather, but can’t put his finger on who will win, only saying that whoever has the better gameplan will prevail.
As of right now, it looks like Pacquiao vs. Mayweather becoming reality might depend heavily on Mayweather-Ortiz failing. Consider: It’s difficult to imagine HBO and Golden Boy are going to reward Mayweather, who ducked the biggest fight in boxing history, a guaranteed figure for boxing Ortiz. Because it’s possible Mayweather vs. Ortiz could fail, perhaps colossally. Presumably, Mayweather’s payday will depend entirely or mostly on live gate and pay-per-view percentages. Clearly, the organizers of the fight are forecasting numbers similar to Floyd’s last fight vs. Mosley, which generated 1.4 million PPV buys.

But if Floyd-Ortiz draws significantly less than that figure, it would be reasonable to conclude that HBO and Golden Boy will be extremely displeased and will NOT invest and risk any further capital to promote Mayweather against any other handpicks. How on earth could they, when Pacquiao vs. Mayweather is guaranteed to generate the biggest numbers in the history of the sport?

Translation: I believe there is enormous pressure on Mayweather-Ortiz to sell around .75 to 1.4 million PPVs. If the fight does reach a profitable target range, surely Mayweather will take advantage by insisting that he wants/needs another tune-up or two or three or four. And so on and so forth, until he can milk every dollar he can from consumers. But if the Ortiz fight bombs, Floyd will be forced to fight Pacquaio.

I say this based on a few reasons. There is evidence and hearsay to suggest Floyd is in financial trouble now and has been loaned between $10 and $20 million by a certain supporter. Why else would Mayweather describe this special someone in interviews as like an “uncle” and his “Go To Guy”?  If Mayweather is his own boss and calls all his shots, why does he even need a Go To Guy? You never heard Holyfield, Lewis, Oscar, Hopkins or Duran say they needed a Go To Guy, did you?

A probable explanation is Floyd needs a Go To Guy because he is indeed broke or close to being broke and with the legal issues on the horizon, he needs major help.

And why would Mayweather feel the need to start changing his image by being more of a nice guy and doing good deeds? I thought being the villain was his ploy to sell tickets? Has Floyd been badly stung after all the negative PR and now concluded that behaving like the heel may translate into poor PPV sales in September and that by being a good, positive guy – like Manny Pacquiao – could maybe result in more fans wanting to support his next fight(s)? Is Floyd leaving nothing to risk to make sure the Ortiz fight sells?

No doubt, Floyd was thrown a big favor this time with Ortiz which is no guaranteed success, while fighting Pacquiao is money in the bank for everyone. If the Ortiz fight fails to sell to the public, Mayweather could find himself in a desperate position.

Keep in mind that the public has been disappointed from buying recent Mayweather fights over and over (Oscar, Marquez, Baldomir). How many more times will fans continue to purchase his fights – which do not include Manny Pacquiao? This is the million dollar question in boxing.

This scenario is nothing new to boxing. Of recent times, Mike Tyson went through a similar period during his career home stretch. As everyone clamored to see Tyson vs. Lewis, Tyson and his handlers kept avoiding that high-risk matchup by selecting safe paydays against the likes of Julius Francis, Lou Savarese, Frans Botha, Brian Nielsen, Orlin Norris, etc.

Tyson, a much bigger attraction than Floyd ever was, was allowed to take on all these softies but eventually the public stopped buying. Tyson’s last fight before Lewis against Brian Nielsen in Copenhagen, Denmark in October 2001, was shown on tape delay in the U.S. and drew lousy ratings for SHOWTIME. No doubt, this factored into forcing Tyson to bite the bullet and fight Lewis once and for all in, in June 2002, in order to pay off an army of creditors. It was reported that Tyson earned just “kibbles and bits” for fighting Lewis and most of his approximate $30 million purse went to creditors.

So my point is, the success or failure of Mayweather-Ortiz may play a pivotal and crucial role in determining when and if the big one, Pacquiao vs. Mayweather happens sooner or later.

Though Mayweather clearly does not want to trade strikes with Pacquiao any time soon, after September 17, the choice may not be his to make.

We shall see…

(Artwork by John Paul Raloto.)

Ht: 6-3 Wt: 190 pounds.

DOB: August 27, 1976 in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

Childhood Heroes: “I admire people but I didn’t have any, like, heroes.”

Nicknames: “Charlie. Moyini.”

Hobbies/Interests: “I like to go out when I have the chance. Cinema. Listen to music. Soccer. Video games.”

Early Tennis Memory: “Started tennis when I was six. First tournament I won ever I was eight. When you’re young you think you want to be a tennis player. But it’s very difficult. I was winning early. It gives you confidence to keep doing it and that’s very important.”

First Car: “1995 blue Volkswagen Golf GTI. Bought it with paycheck from my first tournament in Kitzbuhel.”

Current Car: “Porsche.”

Favorite Meal: “Anything from my mother (Pilar).”

Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “I prefer some toast with a little butter.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Vanilla.”

Pre-Match Feeling: “I’m not doing anything to be very concentrated. Just try to fix my racquets with new grips. Nothing special. Try to be confident. But not pay too much attention to concentration or just want to be alone.”

Favorite Movies: “Terror movies, horror.”

Musical Tastes: “U2, Bon Jovi, Queen, Aerosmith, Cafe Quijano.”

Childhood Dream: “Be number one.”

Greatest Sports Moment: “”Winning Davis Cup (3-2 vs. USA in 2004 — Moya scored straight-sets wins over Mardy Fish on opening day and Andy Roddick on the final day to clinch the Cup before a record crowd in Seville, Spain).”

Most Painful Moment: “When I was injured. My back. I had a back problem (in 1999).”

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “I don’t remember one. Right now I don’t remember.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “I like Nadal and Fernando Vicente.”

Closest Tennis Friends: “Those two guys probably.”

Toughest Competitors: “Well probably playing Sampras and Agassi.”

Favorite Tournaments: “I like the small tournaments, like Buenos Aires, Umag, Bastad.”

Early ATP Memory: “First ATP title ever in Buenos Aires (defeated Felix Mantilla in 1995). In the quarterfinal match I hit a shot and it hit a bird. It’s something I never forget.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “Honest people. People who do things for other people where it comes from the heart, not for what the people will say.”

Best You Ever Felt On Court: “When I beat [Marcelo] Rios in French Open in ’98 quarterfinals. I beat him in four sets (6-1, 2-6, 6-2, 6-4). That’s one of my best memories. He was the favorite — not number one but biggest favorite to play. And I never won a Slam before (in two previous French Open appearances Moya lost in the second round both times). So I think after I win that match I realized that I was gonna have a good chance to win the French. (Everything was on for you that day?) Yeah, it was a very tight match. And it was very exciting. I never beat him before.”

Ht: 6-1 1/2  Wt: 200

DOB: Aprill 24, 1981 In: Newport Beach, CA

First Tennis Memory:  “In tears after losing my first set in the final of a tournament. I was ten. (Against who?) Curtis Elmore. I won the first set 6-2, lost the second set 6-3 and, that age, you get a ten-minute break in between sets and I was in tears. It was the final set. I lost.”

Tennis Inspiration:  “Actually what started me was probably Chang. When my dad was coaching Chang, Michael Chang.”

Last Book Read:  “Last book I read was The Secret Of The Slight Edge by Bob Mowatt.”

Current Car:  “Is a Scion XB (white). I almost killed myself in a Porsche Turbo and I realized that cars and speed and me don’t mix. So I go for the most efficient, cheapest car I can find.”

Greatest Sports Moment:  “It’s tough to beat winning titles. I’d say winning Newport  (2002) holds the biggest place in my heart because it’s my first.”

Most Painful Moment:  “Any time you lose is painful. But there’s one I played Andy Roddick in the second round of the Australian Open. And I just couldn’t hit a ball in the court. I’d played on big stages many, many times. I wasn’t nervous or tight. It was just one of those days. Unfortunately, I have those days where I couldn’t serve in the court, couldn’t hit a ball in the court. And he beat me like 2-0-1 or something like that. That was painful.”

Which Match Do You Feel You Were At Your Best:  “Probably Andy Roddick. Beat him 1 and 4 in the final of Memphis. I returned unbelievable.”

Closest Tennis Friends:  “You know, I’m pretty solitary but I hand with whoever’s around. I’m pretty easy to get along with. Dave Martin is a doubles player, we’re pretty good buddies. Alex Bogomolov. Any of the American guys really.”

Funniest Players Encountered:  “Fish is kind of funny, he’s more annoying than funny [smiles]. James (Blake) is pretty funny. Everybody’s got to have a sense of humor out here. So everybody can have a laugh.”

Funny Tennis Memory:  “I was playing a doubles match against Ginepri and Merklein and my partner was Alex Bogomolov. We were playing I-formation. Alex just hit a bunny of  a serve in. And I popped up and Ginepri just tried to take my head off. Just kind of smiling as he’s doing it. I had some gas that day, so I reflexed the volley. And I grunted and as I grunted, a big fart came out. The point continued and everybody on the court’s laughing. Everybody in the stands is laughing. And after we lost the point – What are you guy’s laughing at? But it was obvious. (Where was it?) That was the Houston tournament when it was Mattress Mac’s place.”

Toughest Competitors:  “I mean, the list goes on. Andy Roddick won’t give you anything. Lleyton Hewitt doesn’t give you anything. I think the times I played with Nalbandian it’s been rough. Agassi obviously. You can’t not be a competitor and be good.”

Favorite Players To Watch:  “Can’t help but to love to watch Federer. I actually really enjoy watching Nalbandian play. (Why him?) Nalbandian just seems like he just doesn’t miss much, can move the ball around the court where ever he wants to. When he’s playing well he just makes the other players run so much. So it’s pretty fun to watch. Davydenko can be fun sometimes too.”

Favorite Tournament:  “Outside of the grand slams, because they’re obviously the big deals, it’s a very unique atmosphere in Newport. The fans get to be very close to the players, so this is fun. I’m an American guy so I love the American swing, every single one of them is nice to play at. ”

People Qualities Most Admired:  “Integrity. A pet peeve of mine is when people are inconsiderate and thoughtless.”

The field features several former World No. 1 players, Grand Slam champions and major finalists in a formidable field that includes Wimbledon runner-up Andy Roddick, two-time Grand Slam champion Lleyton Hewitt, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, defending champion Juan Martin del Potro, Fernando Gonzalez, Robin Soderling, and Rainer Schuettler.

Tommy Robredo, Israeli Davis Cup hero Dudi Sela, Ivo Karlovic, Mardy Fish and Tomas Berdych are also here as are doubles stars Daniel Nestor, Nenad Zimonjic, Mark Knowles and Mahesh Bhupathi.

Marin Cilic, who clinched Croatia’s first trip to the Davis Cup semifinals in four years with his victory over James Blake on the red clay of Porec last month, was here, but the sixth-seeded rising star went down to qualifier Somdev Devvarman, 7-5, 6-4, on Tuesday afternoon. The match was a rematch of the Chennai final in January, which Cilic won in straight sets. Devvarman, who lives in nearby Virgina and won the NCAA singles title at Virginia, enjoyed solid crowd support from his friends and supporters. He resides in the top quarter of the draw along with top-seeded Andy Roddick and 16th-seeded Sam Querrey, who could square off in the round of 16 tomorrow.

Roddick returns to tournament tennis tonight when he plays Benjamin Becker in his first match since falling to World No. 1 Roger Federer in last month’s epic 77-game Wimbledon final. Big-serving John Isner, who lost to Roddick in the final here two years ago, will play the third-seeded Tsonga in tonight’s second Center Court match.

Lleyton Hewitt edged Donald Young in Monday night’s opener, 7-5, 6-2. If Hewitt beats 15th-seeded Sela today he would face del Potro in a rematch of the Wimbledon second round. Hewitt dismissed del Potro, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5, on the grass courts of the All England Club.

But Young, who has been maligned by media and fans for lackluster results this year was impressive in defeat. Hewitt said the young American “hasn’t reached his full potential yet” and attributed some of the 20-year-old’s struggles this season to growing pains that are part of the transition from junior tennis to the pro circuit.

“He’s very talented and he just hasn’t fulfilled his potential just yet,” Hewitt said of Young. “It’s a big step up from juniors to seniors. He’s lightning quick, gets to a lot of balls, and is starting to get a bigger game out there. He’s just not playing the big points very well just yet.”

Two years ago, Young was the youngest man ranked inside the ATP’s top 100. He finished the 2008 season ranked No. 133. He has kicked around the Challenger circuit and ATP qualifiers this season as his ranking has dropped to No. 162. While the former ITF World No. 1 junior was often physically overmatched in his teenage years, Hewitt said Young is a true talent who must toughen up and learn to play pivotal points better in order to return to the top 100.

Despite some recent poor results on the Challenger circuit, Young looked like he belonged on an ATP show court in prime time. And if he can improve his service percentage (he served only 36 percent against Hewitt, which is obviously a recipe for disaster against one of tennis’ most consistent returners), and generate more consistency on his backhand and volleys, Young is not far removed from top 50 form. While that may sound like a bold prediction given his current ranking, it was supported by one long time tennis expert who also watched the match courtside and praised the Young’s hand and foot speed, but pointed out the Chicago-born lefthander needs better coaching if he is to rise back up the rankings.

Leonardo Mayer from Argentina followed up on his semifinal appearance in Los Angeles with an excellent effort against 33-year-old Rainer Schuettler. Mayer got blown out in set one, 6-1, and looked to be out of his league with the tenacious, muscular German. But Mayer rebounded to win the second and forced a third-set tiebreak. At 5-5 on his own serve in the breaker, Mayer got a ball down the middle and went for the big forehand to the German’s forehand corner but just missed it by about two inches wide. Mayer screamed in agony and went down in defeat on the next point as Schuettler connected on a forehand crosscourt winner. Oliver Marach and Daniel Nestor came out from the locker room to watch the finale of this exciting match.

This is a well-run tournament that draws a lot of the players out of the locker room to watch the matches on the outer courts, though they watch it from behind a windscreen. Sela watched a good portion of his friend Andy Ram partner Max Mirnyi against the venerable team of Knowles and Bhupathi, who both have the hand speed of pick pocket artists at net. In a highly-entertaining match, Bhupathi and Knowles held off Ram and Mirnyi, 7-6(6), 2-6, 10-7.

Tomas Berdych of the Czech Republic watched much of his countryman Martin Damm and Sweden’s Robert Linstedt as the pair took down Oliver Marach and Lukasz Kubot, 7-5, 7-5.

Marcelo Melo and Andre Sa watched just about all of that doubles match from behind the wind screen, sitting on the grass. They went on court next without even warming up or stretching. Their coach awkwardly climbed the fence behind the baseline and hooked up a video camera to record the match. But the Brazilian tandem were defeated by Steven “Hussy” Huss and Ross “Rosco” Hutchins 6-1, 6-4.

Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione saved two match points and defeated Bruno Soares and Kevin Ullyet in a very close third set tiebreak, 4-6, 7-5, 12-10. Interestingly, Hewitt still wears his Yonex baseball cap backward for singles but wears in the conventional, forward fashion for doubles. Fierce forehands were on display as Fernando Gonzalez and Tommy Robredo beat wild cards Isner and Querrey, 3-6, 7-6(5), 10-6.

One local media veteran down here, Bob Epstein from Lifestyles Magazine, told me the crowds here are the best ever and the outer courts are packed. He said even during the Agassi era when AA would play here just about every year, tennis fans flocked to see his matches but when Andre was finished, most fans left. But here each match, whether it’s singles or doubles, the courts are packed to near capacity and the tennis has been high quality.

Tennis Week contributing writer Scoop Malinowski is in Washington, DC, attending this week’s Legg Mason Tennis Classic. Scoop’s latest book Heavyweight Armageddon: The Tyson-Lewis Championship Battle was called “A smashing success,” by Hall of Famer Emanuel Steward, who called the book “one of the two best boxing books I’ve ever read.” Author Joyce Carol Oates, whose book “On Boxing” is regarded as a classic calls Scoop, “one of the hottest young journalists in pugilism.” He’s recently done Biofiles with Billie Jean King, Asafa Powell, and Olympic gold medalists Carolina Kluft, Oksana Baiul and Tirunesh Dibaba. Please visit his site www.thebiofile.com. Scoop is also a ham and egger tennis player, currently ranked No. 4 in the USTA Eastern 35s and holder of the Tennis Week singles title.

“My first memory from tennis is actually when I was in Sweden and I went to, I think it was Gothenborg and I watched Sweden play the U.S. in Davis Cup. That’s maybe my first memory from tennis,” Soderling recalls. “And it was very fun and I enjoyed it a lot. Yeah I was there. I didn’t even really remember who was playing but I enjoyed it a lot. The big arena, the big crowd, I was running around there collecting autographs. So it was really a nice memory. I think I have Edberg and Larsson (autographs) at home. And I also think I have one from Sampras as well.”

A dangerous player indoors because he can serve big and generate substantial pace off his fast, flat ground strokes, Soderling reached successive indoor finals in Rotterdam and Memphis in February beating Marcos Baghdatis, Fernando Verdasco, Andreas Seppi, Gilles Simon, Andy Roddick and Radek Stepanek along the way.

The 49th-ranked Swede owns two career tournament titles — the 2004 Lyon and 2005 Milan — and has scored wins over Nikolay Davydenko, Richard Gasquet and David Ferrer. Scoop Malinowski caught up with Soderling for this Biofile interview.

Height/Weight: 6-foot-3, 180 pounds.

Born On: August 14, 1984 in Tibro, Sweden.

Tennis Inspirations: “When I was younger I liked to watch a lot of tennis, I watch a lot of matches. But I didn’t really have a hero. Of course I liked the Swedes. But I think I liked more the game.”

Hobbies/Interests: “I like to watch sports on TV. Especially I like to watch table tennis — my dad used to play. And I like the sport, it’s a fun game. Also ice hockey and soccer.”

Nicknames: “No, not that I know [smiles].”

Favorite Movies: “My favorites are Gladiator and Scarface [smiles].”

Favorite TV Shows: “No, I’m traveling a lot. I cannot watch that many TV shows. I liked to watch TV shows when I was younger back home in Sweden.”

Musical Tastes: “I like a lot of music. Almost everything. Like to listen to music, so almost everything.”

Early Tennis Memory: “My first memory from tennis is actually when I was in Sweden and I went to, I think it was Gothenborg and I watched Sweden play the U.S. in Davis Cup. That’s maybe my first memory from tennis. And it was very fun and I enjoyed it a lot. Yeah I was there. I didn’t even really remember who was playing but I enjoyed it a lot. The big arena, the big crowd, I was running around there collecting autographs. So it was really a nice memory. (Which autographs did you get?) I think I have Edberg and Larsson at home. And I also think I have one from Sampras as well.”

Pre-Match Feeling: “I’m often a little bit nervous before the match. Because I think you have to be a little bit nervous to perform your best. But I got used to it. You know, you play a lot of matches. When I was — a couple of years ago — I’d get very angry and sad after I lost the match. But now maybe one hour after match I start focusing on the next tournament. You know, that’s what you have to do.”

Favorite Meal: “I like spaghetti with meatballs.”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate.”

Current Car: “BMW (silver).”

Greatest Sports Moment: “For me…first ATP title in Lyon (defeated Xavier Malisse in 2004). And when I won the Swedish championships for juniors when I was 11. That was a great feeling. I think I won the final 4 and 4. And I was very happy after that match. It was the first time I played the Swedish championships and I won it so I was very happy.”

Most Painful Moment: “It’s actually when I lost 7-6 against Fish in the final in the Stockholm Open (2003).”

Closest ATP Friends: “It’s the Swedish players. I’m a good friend with all the Swedes. We all like to hang out together and they’re all nice guys.”

Funniest Players Encountered: “Funniest…ooooh, that’s a tough one. Safin, he’s funny. He’s always relaxed, I think he has a laid back attitude and he’s not taking too seriously. He’s very funny guy.”

Toughest Competitors: “Everyone. I played Srichaphan two times and he killed me both times. Before he became injured he was a really good player.”

Funny Tennis Memory: “Don’t remember. I’m not sure.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “People that are nice. Especially in tennis, as I said about Safin. He’s not taking it too seriously. But he of course, people likes to win and practice hard but then they’re not taking it too seriously. It’s not life and death.”

Scoop Malinowski created the Biofile interview in 1992. Scoop is a Tennisweek.com contributor, noted boxing expert and an accomplished recreational tennis player who once pushed a reigning senior world champion to a tiebreak set. Please check out his site www.thebiofile.com.