By Babatis Banda: I have followed the debates with keen interest, right from the first failed bout. I followed Floyd Mayweathers’ career, from the days he was really a small boy and in the lower divisions. I also came to know of the presence of Manny Pacquiao in the fighting world, much later in his career, but I immediately liked him and became an ardent fan of his. There are those that argue that the two fighters have at some point, avoided good fighters and cherry picked opponents, let me also tell them that while it may be true or false, it does not really override the achievement of the two men, they clearly stand at the top of the sport.
Manny Pacquiao, like I have said before, has had to prove himself as a non American Boxer to be noticed on the international stage. This means that he has fought the good fighters in his career. Likewise, Floyd Mayweather Jnr. Has risen from a country full of good boxers and attained that status as the best. America has the stiffest competition in whatever sport, literally because non Americans who want to make it either fight in or move to leave in America. Floyd has proven himself beyond doubt as the boxer at the very top at the moment just like Manny has. For those that leave on the idea of cherry picking to top the sport really show some luck of understanding of the sport and really contradict themselves in the process.
If we are somehow agreed that these are the two top boxers in this division, it follows that there must be some measure of telling who has it to beat the other. This may not be conclusive but this is the reasoning gamblers use to make their stakes, or is it, to risk their money? One thing for sure is that Manny Pacquiao has excited many of his kinsmen and a reasonable chunk around the world and the reason is well understood…national pride, and a non American making it to the elite of boxers. It is different for Floyd. He does not enjoy the status of a national hero amongst his people not because he does not deserve it, but because this is the land that has known and has too many heroes. Americans excel in almost everything they do and the level of heroism has been raised beyond mare achievement in sport. This I thought should explain the passion we have recently witnessed with the fans of these two boxers.
Now, who has the edge? First of all, Manny has excited a lot of people because he is non American and has made it. He has blown away warriors in the most convincing way. In fact, the way he has blasted past a number of good fighters has literally convinced some that Floyd is the next victim. On the other hand, Floyd is not known for brutalizing his opponents, he is a smart well calculating boxer who has it all. My analysis really does not bring anything new from what is already known by everybody, Manny Pacquiao as much as he is fast, hard hitting and durable, he has to find a target. Floyd has made it to this level because he is fast, sleek and really never gets hit. If he is hit two or three times in a whole fight, people talk about it for months as if he should never be hit at all. This shows you how opponents value the few opportunities he gives his opponents. Manny has the heart but has a dozen holes in his game plan which can make his heart bleed, with the likes of Floyd. It is difficult to punch a hole in Floyd’s game plan and I challenge anybody, to point at Floyd’s weakness in the ring. So far, not a single trainer has come up to point out Floyd’s weaknesses and that says it all. Floyd may not have it easy, but he takes the day 90% sure. I am a keen fan of Manny, but I think this is a bit of the pig that believes it has become an elephant, like I have read on this platform before. Why these fighters have problems squaring up each other is a full topic that I intend to deal with separately.
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