By Andy Clark
Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao ( last 5 fights W – W – W – W – W )
Pacquiao’s rise from apparently selling stolen cigarettes on the streets of Manilla, to the top of boxing’s P-4-P rankings is nothing short of spectacular. Pacquiao comes into the fight in excellent form, having won his last 13 fights in a row. Only his old nemesis Juan Manuel Marquez, has come even close to having his hand raised, after those championship rounds are over. No one has found a definitive game plan that works since Morales I and the Pacquiao that will be stepping in the ring on fight night tomorrow will be unrecognizable, from that of his last defeat. Pacquiao has superior speed, head movement and power. I could go on and on about Pacquiao’s achievements and superior qualities but those crazy Mayweather Jnr fans would go berserk! Needless to say, Pacquiao is the established P-4-P king, in the prime of his fighting career.
“Sugar” Shane Mosley ( last 5 fights D – L – W – W – L )
Mosley’s last three fights have been The Good, The Bad And The Ugly. Good. Shane’s performance against Antonio Margarito. Before I knew about the scandal with Margarito’s gloves, I was nothing short of amazed at Mosley’s destruction of Margarito. However I’m sure the thought of his reputation and career being completed discredited, weighed on Margarito’s mind. I doubt the Margarito we saw vs. Miguel Cotto, would have been so easily dominated. Bad. I could be overly critical about his performance against Mayweather Jnr, but round 2 was a fantastic round. The aging legend on the verve of beating the superstar was amazing while it lasted, but Mosley just completed wore himself out after that. Ugly. Mosley’s performance against Mora was very poor and the decision even poorer. Mosley is not Bernard Hopkins, his body and skills are in decline. No matter how hard he tries to disguise that from himself and fight fans, he simply isn’t capable of beating an elite fighter anymore.
Prediction
I can only see this fight going one way. Shane has proven to be dangerous in the early rounds, so he has it in him to land that fight changing punch. However, a Mosley win via KO would be as unbelievable as Paulie Malignaggi knocking Nikolay Valuev out with one punch. Pacquiao, may well go toe to toe in the early rounds., that is until Mosley lands a few power shots. Then I expect Pacquiao to fight more cautiously and drag Mosley into the later rounds, keeping Mosley at bay with accurate combinations to the body and head. Freddie Roach has spoken about wanting to get one over on Mayweather Jnr, by being the first to stop Mosley. It is my prediction that this will also happen. It will happen in the late rounds. Mosley will look even worse than he did against Mayweather Jnr and Sergio Mora. Pacquiao may not completely knock Mosley out, like he did Ricky Hatton, but I do expect Kenny Bayliss to protect Mosley’s heath and call an end to the fight in rounds 9-10.
Going Forward
For Pacquiao, if the rumors are to be believed, Bob Arum has lined up JM Marquez to complete their incredibly competitive trilogy. This fight makes sense for all involved. JM Marquez has been chasing Pacquiao, ever since his split decision loss to Pacquiao back in March 2008. Pacquiao on the other hand will be determined to silence the critics, who believe JM Marquez has simply had the better of Pacquiao in their previous two fights. For Pacquiao, I can’t think of a better tune up fight, to prepare himself for the Mayweather Jnr fight in spring 2012 (wishful thinking I know).
Mosley doesn’t seem to have any interest in retirement just yet but after the Pacquiao fight he might need to take a long hard look at his future in boxing. He has a legacy that will not be forgotten, a bank balance to ensure he never has to work again, a son aiming to take the Mosley name to future success and a sensational new woman. Does he need any other possible reason to carry on fighting?
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