By Tom Drury: We have entered the new year of 2014, the Mayweather/Pacquiao articles, debates and speculative opinions have once again come to the forefront. As a major fan and admirer of Floyd Mayweather not once have I believed Manny Pacquiao is anything else but another challenger who would fall at the hands of Mayweather.
This debate is now entering its fourth year. Some fans believing Manny Pacquiao is a genuine threat to Mayweather’s unbeaten record in the sport of boxing. However, not one writer or fan on BN24 have given credible reasons for this threat; only tireless debate and arguments on financials and politics between the fighters and promoters.
In September 2013, we saw Floyd Mayweather Jr. step up to the plate and give a genuine challenger (Saul “Canelo” Alvarez) a shot at his throne. Fans, writers, fighters, analysts and the rest of the boxing world believed Alvarez was a genuine threat with good reason and were excited for the bout, Alvarez, young, hungry, ambitious, speed, power, ring generalship yet he turned out to be nothing more than a spar for the great Mayweather (Predicted by myself).
As a huge fight fan in general, yes, I would like to see a Mayweather-Pacquiao fight happen, mostly for the anticipation and atmosphere that fight would provide. However, realistically the fight will be a disappointment, for the Pacquiao fans anyway.
Manny Pacquiao has been entertainment value throughout his early career up to the Antonio Margarito fight in late 2010. Since that fight we have seen Pacquiao decline somewhat; a lackluster performance against a shot Shane Mosley, defeated by Timothy Bradley and wiped out by greatest rival and Mexican great Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao’s latest victory and outing has come by the way of tough but static and average Brandon Rios. By no means does this signify Pacquiao is on the up once again in his career.
Pacquiao does not possess the skills to beat Floyd Mayweather, period. Pacquiao is a rhythm fighter, comes in face first and lacks defensive ability (with many other flaws). Those three factors alone mean he will not be a competitive fight for Mayweather. Pacquiao is effective against fighters/brawlers, not against a pugilistic genius. Mayweather’s timing, jab, defense and counter-punching ability would have Pacquiao confused and caught in the headlights as was the case with Alvarez.
Mayweather-Pacquiao is a great fight for the celebrity and casual boxing follower but not for the knowledgeable boxing man. As said before in my articles and a point for all you fans to take note of “Floyd Mayweather will never be defeated until a fighter appears that can do what he does only better”.
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