Let’s remember, Pacquiao was a flyweight not all that long ago. He’s added what appears to be 40 pounds of muscle to his frame – nearly 40 percent of what had been his body weight – and is exchanging punches with guys who as recently as two years ago were considered mismatches.

If this were a baseball player, the media would be at least casually interested.

If it were a baseball player the media and fans didn’t seem to like – Barry Bonds, for example – the casual interest would go a tad further.

And if it were Mayweather claiming "superstition" or "disrespect" as hollow reasons for backing away from the biggest fight ever, the mobs would be lining the streets.

It shouldn’t make any difference that Pacquiao is popular.

And it shouldn’t matter that Floyd and his family circus are villains.

In this case, right is right.