By Chester Rivers: Oscar De La Hoya’s blueprint to defeat Mayweather calls for a constant jab. When most of us heard this we laughed with amusement. After watching Floyd’s last fight, I research De La Hoya’s theory using past footage from YouTube and this is what I found.
De La Hoya was absolutely right in regards to the jab, but he did not mention that the jab should only be used as a throw away punch. Using footage from the 6 fights in which Mayweather was stunned: Castillo 1, Corley, Judah, Moseley, Cotto and Maidana 2, Floyd was caught with flush punches after each of these fighters feinted with the jab and then threw a straight punch.
At the end of round 3 of the Maidana rematch, Maidana threw a soft left jab that made Floyd attempt a counter. Maidana ducked to his left and simultaneously threw a straight right that caught Floyd flush and staggered him to the ropes at the bell. We could see the punch stunned Mayweather as he walked stiff legged to his corner using the assistance of the ropes.
In round 2 of his fight against Shane Moseley, Floyd made the same mistake. Moseley feinted with the left jab followed by the straight right. Mayweather instinctively clinched but moments later was caught again with the feint then right combo.
Against Zab Judah and Demarcus “Chop Chop” Corley, Floyd was caught flush after these two southpaws feinted with the right jab then straight left combo.
Every fighter has a weakness or bad habit that they just can’t shake. Could Mayweather’s weakness be the one thing that defined his career? Mayweather is known as an aggressive discipline counter puncher, but Mayweather only get caught when he attempts counters.
If I could pick up on this flaw by watching YouTube, world class trainers like Freddie Roach and Angel Garcia are already aware of this flaw. Could this be the reason Maidana got the fight over a more deserving Danny Garcia? Is this the major reason Mayweather avoided Manny Pacquiao who always uses feints and a “herky jerky” style?
Styles make fights and fights make legends. In boxing it’s about choosing the right fighter with the right style to make you a legend and Team Mayweather is fully aware of this.
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