Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: A case of brains vs. power

By Boxing News - 07/14/2011 - Comments

By Babatis Banda: Distinctively, Mayweather Jnr against Pacquiao is a purely brains versus power matching. We all talk about so many things why Floyd will win over the Pacman, or vice versa. There are certainly specific qualities that influence our thinking besides the blind following, which has become so common when you talk about these two boxers.

This blind following is characterized by unsupported belief, sheer hatred of the other camp and or the sense of belonging with a particular boxer.

Why is this matching a brain versus muscle? Well, plainly, this defines the two boxers. One is a pure thinking, brilliant boxer and the other, a tough resilient power puncher. We all know that it is the power and the toughness, that has had not only the Mayweather’s questioning, but a number of figures too, how such a small frame can carry that power over a range of divisions without losing it, and how such a small boxer can take a punishment from big guys without a flinch….and worse still, goes singing after major fights. This performance is no less than ‘superman’. The Mayweathers capitalized on this gossip and spoke a little louder than everybody else, and when Manny’s camp responded, all hell broke loose. What initially was supposed to be just a ‘raffling of feathers’ has become the main reason for the fight not to be made.

Although I personally feel Floyd Mayweather junior is in decline, he still is the most well thinking, calculating and gifted pure boxer today. He has built his name from these qualities and rarely has had to dig deeper in his career. The questions are……can Floyd take the power if he is constantly caught by the Packman? We can guess that if the Packman can sting Floyd, like Sugar did, he will not let him off the hook. The other question is….can Floyd get up if he happens to hit the deck?…This is a difficult one because Floyd has never hit the deck before in his career. It might do two things in my view if it happens….1.it may awaken the brilliance in Floyd or 2. It can take away the belief, with disastrous consequences. Whichever of the two, it would be interesting. The other concern for Floyd would be how he would deal with Manny’s work rate. Would Manny outwork Floyd to a victory? All these questions linger in many of our heads I believe.
We know Floyd is master of defence. Will Manny be able to land? If Manny doesn’t land that often, we know Floyd has stinging counters that can punish Manny and even if he will not go down, his skin can give up in horrible gushes and swellings, we so it with Atturo, the warrior. We all know Floyd is a thinking boxer, will Manny land those whirlwind of combinations?…Floyd does not come in a straight line, he gives angles and he will not engage in exchanges, better still, he is agile and ducks well. He will side-step and punish the body of Packman occasionally too. It is also possible that Floyd, the taller of the two, will use his stick (jab) as the range finder, keep Manny on the outside and outbox him to a sound unanimous decision. Floyd has a whole range of ammunition to frustrate Manny. This is where the brain or the power will win it, or lose it. Let us enjoy!



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