The real reason most will be rooting for Pac-man

[Chino]

Floyds attitude is "Don't get hit, hit the other guy when you can, take no chances, low risk, doesn't matter what anyone else thinks. Get in, get out, win, and get your check". A purely selfish attitude and to his credit that has served him well. But as a fan of boxing one has to love Manny's attitude towards a fight. He firmly believes that boxer's responsibility transcends himself and passes to his fans

Fighting for the fans can be a big mistake, look at Erik Morales for example. When he first fought Manny he won with complete ease leaving no doubts about his victory. He boxed Manny, kept him at distance, moved out of the way whenever Manny did his famous left jab - left jab- straight left charge. Even the crowd was chanting "Ooooleeeee" just like when a matador moves out of the way from the bull's charging attack. Anyways, on his second fight, he said that he wanted to please the crowd and get in there and exchange with Manny, and we all know what happened on the 2nd and 3rd fight when he wanted to "please the fans".

Was Erik being nice to the fans while the fans were being selfish demanding an action-packed fight that cost him his first KO losses?

Getting in there and throwing punches at will doesn't necessarily make a fighter smart. Exciting? I guess. Smart? Not so sure.

You act like the first fight was a blowout? It was a very close match (I believe 115-113 on all scorecards). Pacquiao suffered a huge cut which was blinding him at one point. I could be wrong but i'm pretty sure the cut was from a headbutt also. To say the reason erik lost by knockout both fights was because he wanted to please the crowd is a little ubsurd. Pacquiao simply has become more seasoned every fight since then, and his resume shows it. Morrales had no chance of "Boxing" him in the third fight, because Manny was in his grill the moment the bell rang until Morrales quit!

You're right. It was a competitive match but was clear Erik won that fight with no doubts or questions like, say, both Pac fights vs Marquez. Even Larry Merchant asked Erik after the fight why he even went as far as changing to a southpaw stance and Erik answer was "Larry, did you enjoy it?" showing he did it just to please the crowd regardless of being in a bigger risk. Still, going in there to throw punches at will isn't necessarily smart or good for the guy in the ring. Styles make fights .