By Matt Matel: After a string of near blow out victories over Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto, The main man Manny Pacquiao from General Santos City is now setting his sights on what could potentially be the most lucrative match in the history of boxing. The would be promoters of the match would most likely have the working title “Pound for Pound” which is more classy one compared to the last 2 outings that Pacquiao had (Firepower and East vs West).
Should the match be made Roach will now have another shot at taking a crack at the seemingly undecipherable defensive code of Pretty Boy Floyd. Cracking his nearly airtight defense has been the object of obsession of all the trainers of his previous opponents. This long list includes Roach with him being at the side of the Golden Boy last May 2007.
In retrospect though, De La Hoya did what no other boxer has done, he actually beat Mayweather in one of the Judges scorecards. He was the first boxer ever to hand Floyd a split decision victory and this is because of only one person, coach Freddie Roach.
Roach had an excellent game plan set to take out Floyd which if scrutinized closely was aimed to carry out following tasks:
1.) Putting Mayweather in the ropes so that he can’t dance around and back pedal while counter punching at the same time.
2.) Going to the body to neutralize his speed advantage and wear him out as opposed to going to the head which PBF seamlessly neutralizes with the use of his excellent head movement.
The first 8 rounds clearly showed how this strategy could’ve worked, one thing however happened that didn’t go according to plan, “Oscar got tired and wasn’t able to pull the trigger anymore during the championship rounds”.
This specific observation which consequently became his own infamous remark was what Freddie Roach used in order to determine the chances of Pacquiao against an Oscar De la Hoya, an observation that he indeed had first hand knowledge of. Boxing experts are saying that Freddie already has a blueprint on hand to defeat Mayweather and that he just needs someone willing, able and determined to carry out the plan and that’s where Manny comes in to play.
Here are the potential reasons why Pacquiao would be able to execute the plan well:
1. Pacquiao has the relentless stamina to go 12 rounds or more doing the same thing.
2. Pacquiao has the power to knock the wind out of Mayweather with his body shots.
3. The Pacquiao throws punches in bunches and throws them in the most unimaginable angles that Floyd may not be prepared for.
4. Pacquiao certainly faster than a 154 lb Oscar.
5. Pacquiao is a southpaw which makes his all angles punching style much more difficult to predict and counter.
However given that Pacquiao and De La Hoya are two entirely different fighters here are some of the potential reasons why Pacquiao would not be able to execute Roach’s plan well:
1. Although he has the power to knock Mayweather out, Pacquiao does not have the significant size advantage to bully Mayweather and have him pinned down the rope.
2. His reach is just 67” which is 6 inches less that Dela Hoya’s this would be a big factor in pinning him in the ropes.
3. Pacquiao is not a natural body puncher, which is a plus for Mayweather because he defends head shots really well (perhaps one of the best all time).
In hindsight I don’t think comparing the results of the Pacquiao – Juan Manuel Marquez and Marquez – Mayweather fights would be substantial enough in predicting the outcome of this looming superfight. In the Pacquiao – Marquez fight Manny struggled to meet the 130 lb limit and came in at 147 lbs during fight night. The huge weight gain made him look sluggish and thus prevented Manny from using his lateral movements.
While the Marquez – Mayweather fight from the very onset was a mismatch. Marquez in reality struggled with the Casamayor and Diaz fights at the lightweight division which is indicative of the draw backs of Marquez’s moving up in weight. Nacho event went on the record in saying that Marquez looked very slow at welterweight, he did have the power according to Nacho but the speed was simply not there.
Nor could it be said that Pacquiao could beat Mayweather handily because of how he disposed of Ricky Hatton which Manny fought at the LWW division and destroyed in 2 rounds. Pacquiao devil may care attitude made him engage Hatton early on and traded shots with him that send Hatton to the canvas flat on his back by the end of the 2nd round. While Mayweather being the tactician that he is chose to dissect Hatton and take him a part in the late rounds.
The conclusion is fair but simple, styles make fights this one is pretty tough to call because of the complete contrasts between the two styles. Everyone I guess everyone is dying to see what comes out of this match up.
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