By Bill Christian Gabay: I am one of the biggest boxing fans fans out there. And just like millions around the world, I too have been waiting for years for him to face Floyd Mayweather, Jr. in the ring. Now that the match is finally happening, I am still of the opinion that this is Mayweather’s fight to lose.
Mayweather is the bigger, smarter, and arguably faster fighter. He is a defensive master and is extremely elusive in the ring. It is very rare that you will see him get caught clean. He is an extremely talented counter-puncher too. If you thought Juan Manual Marquez was a very good counter-puncher, watch Floyd and his reaction time. Fighting someone who dodges and blocks all your attacks and counter-punches effectively at the same time is no easy task.
Mayweather does not aim to beat anyone by knockout. He outpoints them. He makes them look substandard in front of the judges, the fans. He outboxes them. And that what makes Mayweather the best boxer on the planet.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylT_HF8JMUM
The only way to beat Mayweather is to catch him with a good one. And of all the fighters out there, Pacquiao has the tools to best achieve this rarity. The Pacman has quick hands and fast feet. He has KO power in both hands and his left is one of the deadliest in the sport. His work rate and stamina rank amongst the best in boxing. He is experienced, thrives in the biggest stage, and is no stranger to going 12 full rounds.
Manny is driven. He fights for his country and its population of millions. He fights for his god. And all the while he is a Destroyer. He loves fighting. He loves beating people and cutting them up. And he loves knocking guys down and and putting them to sleep.
Several years ago, when Pacquiao was busy fighting JMM, admitted in an interview that Marquez was the better, more skillful boxer. Pacquiao, even during that time when a lot of people considered him one of the pound-for-pound best in the world, admitted that he did not see himself as “a very good boxer”. Manny explained that while he had power, he was not very good technically. And fighters like Marquez, he said, showed they had a lot more skill and knew what to do in different situations.
But Pacquiao, in the same interview, said that while he may not be as technical as some of the elite fighters that time, believed that he could beat anyone because: “makaisa lang ako” (I only need one clean shot). Pacquiao knows he has dynamite in both hands and these could change the game real quickly in his favor, even against the best. Even if he was so behind in the fight. Even if it was the last few seconds of the final round.
With his high-volume combinations and power-packed fists, the chances of him landing one in 12 rounds is not far-fetched even against a defensive maestro like Mayweather.
The question then now becomes: How tough is Mayweather’s chin?
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