https://youtu.be/sMqbHX8NEXk
by Michael Montero – They’re calling it the “biggest fight in boxing history”; well I suppose that’s partially accurate.
In terms of live gate, sponsorships, PPV buys, mainstream media exposure and overall revenue Mayweather-Pacquiao is easily the biggest event in the history of the sport, but we all knew that before the ink dried on the contract. In regards to the matchup itself, an aged Floyd Mayweather against a faded, battle-worn Manny Pacquiao, several years past its expiration date, the bout figures to be little more than the super fight of this generation. In terms of boxing history and overall impact on the sport, we simply won’t know until after the fight.
Super fights like this rarely live up to the hype. A fairly recent example is when Oscar De La Hoya and Felix Trinidad fought in 1999. Both men were in their prime, undefeated and held titles in the same division. (imagine that, no “waiting out” process, they wanted each other at their best!) Yet although they set the record for PPV buys in a non-heavyweight fight and garnered plenty of mainstream media attention, the fight itself was a disappointment. Oscar boxed circles around Felix in the early going, keeping things at a controlled, if not dull, pace. Yet in the later rounds, seemingly having the fight in the bag, De La Hoya let off the gas pedal and let himself be outworked down the stretch. Trinidad won a controversial decision that diehard boxing fans still argue about to this day. Casuals hardly remember the fight at all.
A few years later a prime Lennox Lewis fought a faded Mike Tyson in Memphis, Tennessee (coincidentally, Manny Pacquiao defended his 122lb title on the undercard). Although this was a heavyweight fight, one could see many parallels between Lewis-Tyson and Mayweather-Pacquiao. It had the classic “good guy versus bad guy” storyline, a naturally bigger fighter against a naturally smaller fighter, and network collaboration between HBO and Showtime. In the end it was a one-sided destruction that ended with a climactic KO of Tyson in the 8th round. The hardcore boxing community saw this for what it was, but the mainstream media and casual fans were spellbound by the iconic shot of a bloodied and humbled Tyson lying on the canvas.
Which of these recent super fight scenarios will Mayweather-Pacquiao mirror Saturday night? If you’re part of Team Mayweather, you’re looking to mimic De La Hoya against Trinidad, except you’d stay on the gas pedal and go for the kill late. If you’re part of Team Pacquiao, you’re hoping to mimic Lewis against Tyson and humble the bad boy. The question is, based on all we know about whom Mayweather and Pacquiao are as fighters at this point in their careers, which scenario is more likely?
https://youtu.be/yU8acAjOIxU
With a shorter career, 17 less professional bouts, a semi-retired fight schedule between 2008-2012 and a defensive style that has kept him from absorbing much punishment in the ring, it’s obvious that Floyd Mayweather is still much closer to his best than Manny Pacquiao. And that is why it is Floyd who will dictate the pace tomorrow night in Las Vegas. Some will point to the fact that Kenny Bayless is the referee and he has been criticized by fans for being partial to Mayweather’s boxing style. Some will note that this fight is in Las Vegas where Floyd is on a first name basis with every commission official. Some will express concern that one of the judges assigned to this bout has worked 7 of Mayweather’s last 9 fights. Then of course there is the internet chatter about Floyd working with Memo Heredia to “bulk up” for this match. But in the end, none of that matters. The man who wins this bout will be the man who can make it his type of fight, and at this stage of their careers it’s Mayweather who is more likely to accomplish that feat.
The first 4 rounds of Mayweather-Pacquiao will be split, then Floyd will make adjustments in the middle rounds and coast down the stretch. Mayweather will win about 9 rounds in the fight, but at least 1 judge will turn in an abysmal card, making it a Majority Decision win for the American. Don’t be surprised if Bayless makes himself part of the storyline to the bout at some point, and there is a small possibility of Floyd scoring a late TKO is Manny gets desperate, but most likely this fight will go all 12 and fail to live up to expectations of boxing diehards and casuals alike.
Questions, comments, hate mail – you know what to do. Twitter/Instagram/Facebook @MonteroOnBoxing
Comments are closed.