By Chester Rivers: This is the fight that many believe will resurrect the sport of boxing. The two biggest names in the sport with two contrasting styles squaring off to decide who is actually better. Let’s compare these two men and their styles to measure the intangibles that the tape, and promoters, will never tell us.
SPEED: Who is faster? This is a tricky question because I believe there e different types of boxing speed. There’s hand speed, foot speed and upper body movement. Manny Pacquiao has an advantage in hand speed. He tends to throw rapid three punch combos before his opponent can manage to throw one punch. However, Floyd Mayweather’s upper body reflexes and footwork is superior. Floyd can avoid punches simply by contorting his upper body (flexing at the waist) or by using his feet to side step and opponent. In this fight who will have the advantage? We know that Manny tend to start fast and it normally takes Floyd a few rounds to figure out his opponents. Most of Manny’s knockouts happen in the early rounds because of his speed and Floyd has been getting caught with punches lately early in fights. ADVANTAGE: PACQUIAO
Who can impose his style? Floyd Mayweather is the master of imposing his style. Opponents such as Canelo Alvarez, Robert Guerrero, Shane Moseley and Marcos Maidana II were frustrated and forced to fight Floyd’s style of fighting because he [Floyd] imposed his style. Floyd tend to change the pace of the fight round by round to keep his opponent off balance. He will lull on the ropes inviting his opponents in before snapping off crisp counters making each opponent weary of getting countered. Manny Pacquiao has only one style and that is coming straight ahead with reckless abandon. This will be exactly what Mayweather want. ADVANTAGE: MAYWEATHER
RING INTELLIGENCE: Who makes the smarter decision in ring? Outside of the ring Floyd Mayweather Jr. has made some bonehead decisions but, inside the ring he’s a genius. That’s probably the major reason he has been on top for nearly two decades. One thing that make Mayweather a genius is the fact he understands the 7-5 rule. The 7-5 rule mean Mayweather paces himself in fights with the intention of winning only 7 of 12 rounds. Most fighters try an win each round which is not necessary. If you look back at some of Mayweather’s past fights you will recognize that he only presses when it’s necessary. ADVANTAGE: MAYWEATHER
CONFIDENCE: Who should be more confident of his chances? Many fans believe the media hype theory that Mayweather is afraid to fight Pacquiao’s power. I believe that Floyd’s last 5 opponents dismisses this theory. Maidana, Alvarez, Cotto and Moseley all have a higher knockout ratio than Manny Pacquiao which dismisses the theory about Floyd being afraid of Manny’s power. Guerrero, Ortiz and Cotto (a natural lefty) dismisses the theory Floyd is afraid of lefties. Floyd’s dominant victory over Pacquiao nemesis, Juan Manuel Marquez, is also a confidence builder. How many of you believe Pacquiao can win a decision in this fight. Most people think that Pacquiao’s best chance of victory is by knockout. No other man has ever knocked Mayweather down officially let alone knocked him out. ADVANTAGE: MAYWEATHER
Who has the better corner?ADVANTAGE: MAYWEATHER
Of the 5 intangibles Mayweather hold a 4 to 1 advantage. Although I believe Mayweather hold the advantage over Pacquiao anything can happen. Every fighter is one punch away from victory or defeat. The foundation of this fight is built on the belief that Manny Pacquiao is the one fighter that can land that punch.
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