By Mark Phillips: After witnessing Floyd Mayweather Jnr’s performance against Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday night in their non title contest in the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, alarm bells and questions immediately flooded into minds across the world.
Mayweather’s phenomenal defensive and offensive ability resulted in absolute control over Marquez, dominating the gutsy Mexican warrior after scoring a knockdown in the second round with his signature left hook. The boxing world must now recalculate the greatness and ability of his future top three most likely opponents and ultimately reconsider if they really have a chance against such a fighter who seems quite simply, not just unbeatable – but just too darn good.
One wonders whether there in fact is and possibly could be a blueprint for beating the man who remains undefeated in 40 fights, and that if the blueprint does exist, who can execute such a strategy? The man first and foremost that most experts and boxing fans alike would recommend for the job of handing ‘Money’ his first defeat would be that of Philippine sensation Manny Pacquiao, who must now be feeling a little unrest as he sits upon his pound for pound throne.
Pacquiao has demonstrated greatness in his recent victories, displaying not only speed and incredible ring craft, but also an astonishing amount of power behind his punches, which was devastatingly demonstrated upon former undefeated Light Welterweight Champion Ricky Hatton earlier this year. The ‘Pacman’ may have spectacular speed, power and foot work, but these things it would seem would be not nearly enough to defeat the ‘Pretty Boy’.
Pacquiao’s eagerness to land punches would possibly be part of his downfall, as this often leaves him open to counters as he over commits himself in order to land big shots – though as of yet, none of his opponents have been able to capitalise on this floor. But it is to be sure that, if once defeating Miguel Angel Cotto on November 14th and he does eventually meet Mayweather, the chinks in his armour will be highlighted brightly for all to see. In this case Pacquiao would feel the brute force of the all too well known Mayweather check hook which was often used with effect against Marquez to counter Mexico’s number one fighter on Saturday night.
Without a tighter defence it would seem unlikely that Pacquiao could adapt to Mayweather’s jabs and piston-like rights that always seem to find their mark. Most importantly he must be able to land clean hurtful shots upstairs and crack the code to breaking through the floorless defence of Mayweather’s shoulder roll mastery – something no other opponent has yet managed.
The next man in question is Cotto, also a great fighter, powerful and possessing a great boxing brain. Whereas he may have the greater power and size advantage over Pacquiao in facing Mayweather, aiming to throw big shots and putting heavy pressure on will arguably have little effect, as Mayweather has a great record of coping well with aggressive bullying tactics from opponents such as Gatti, Hatton, and now Marquez.
An obvious floor between these two also would be that of Cotto’s hand speed to the lightning fists of Mayweather – which is why Shane Mosley may well fair better as the most suited fighter to cause Mayweather problems. Mosley can offer not just similar power and size in build to that of Mayweather and a good defence, but also fast accurate combinations, like that seen recently against Antonio Margarito earlier this year.
So, can anyone find the blueprint to beat Mayweather? Can anyone expose his weaknesses, break through his watertight defence and find that elusive chin? Only time will tell. Until then, at least for the moment, Floyd Mayweather Jnr shares the number one pound for pound spot with Manny Pacquiao.
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