We must stand strong to survive our own Mayweather moment
The side benefit a few weeks ago was being up to watch the Floyd Mayweather world title bout against Shane Mosley. Boxing fans claim Mayweather is the best pound for pound fighter ever. In 40 previous contests he has never been defeated. His family acts as his promotion company. He makes no apology for his motivation, financial gain, calling himself, “Money” Mayweather. Pundits predicted the only way he would be defeated was by being floored to the canvas. In round 2, veteran Mosley, 38, connected with a shuddering uppercut to his chin. His whole body shook. His legs turned to jelly. Excited commentators pronounced this had never happened before and expressed alarm at imminent defeat. What happened next? (You’ll have to go to the end of this piece to find out …)
Mayweather’s most perilous moment encapsulates our current national mood. In the 50 years of my lifetime, I have never detected such a deep sense of despair across the country. Previously, individual groups or sectors have gone through tough times. Now, no one is being spared. Taxi drivers, teachers, farmers, school-leavers, bank tellers, publicans and the jobless are enduring quiet misery. Previously well-to-do are in the vice grip of personal and corporate debts. Elderly pensioners have lost their life savings. Assets and incomes have been decimated.
