By Sizzle JKD: Here’s the thing, you probably already read my last piece, the one in which I highlighted several reasons as to why Manny Pacquiao will defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr. this Saturday.
Most, if not all, of the reasons I outlined were largely syrupy and sentimental ones and had more to do with the “emotional” undertones of Pacquiao’s motivations rather than boxing related factors.
Let’s not waste any time then.
Without further ado, I present the top 5 “boxing” reasons Manny Pacquiao is going to put an end to all of Mayweather’s “TBE” nonsense on May 2.
#5: “Split-Entry Straight Left” – Others know this as Pacquiao’s “money punch,” Manny sets up this punch with side-to-side upper body movement where his lead foot is positioned outside his opponent’s. His weight is shifted over his lead leg, his head is off-center making it difficult for Floyd to see the punch coming, and the punch is timed to “meet” an orthodox opponent’s jab. When Pacquiao throws this punch almost simultaneously with Floyd, not only is the force of Pacquiao’s punch amplified while Floyd steps in with the jab, but Floyd’s jab will also sail over Pacquiao’s left shoulder because Manny is so low to the ground causing Floyd to hit air. What’s going to make it even more difficult for Floyd is that Manny sometimes sets up this punch with a pawing jab coupled by feints, and when Pacquiao lands this punch, his tremendous footwork and foot speed allows him to be elusive, roll out on an angle, and safely move out of harm’s way. The key here is Manny’s ability to time his opponent. Without proper timing, this punch doesn’t have the same effectiveness. This is the punch Pacquiao will use to completely nullify Floyd’s jab.
#4: “Power Overhand Left” – Everyone saw how much success Marcos Maidana had with his overhand looping right hand against Mayweather. Now imagine the same punch coming from a southpaw, directly aimed at Floyd’s weak side (opposite his shoulder roll defense). Because of Pacquiao’s deceptive mechanics and low center of gravity, his overhand left (a punch he used with successive force against Antonio Margarito and caused Margarito to break an orbital bone in his right eye) is designed to arc around an opponent’s guard undetected. Floyd’s high guard defense is the perfect victim for this punch. And when Pacquiao executes this during the many times he will be in constant movement, it will be difficult for Floyd to see the punch coming because Floyd will be expecting a straight left right down the middle. Once Pacquiao begins to nullify Floyd’s jab (as explained in #8 above), this will open up Pacquiao’s overhand left around the high guard. Not to mention, this punch is also highly effective as a counter-attack because it comes outside an opponent’s line of vision. Just ask Juan Manuel Marquez who, in every single one of his four fights against Pacquiao, had a busted up right eye, or Ricky Hatton, who was put to sleep with this punch. If Floyd’s excellent reflexes has lost even a half a step, he’s in a heap of trouble.
#3: “Right Hook” – This is a Pacquiao punch that will be very hard for Floyd to deal with because it is masqueraded underneath a plethora of constant upper body movement. Instead of a right jab, Pacquiao will move side to side and suddenly throw a very sharp short distance right hook as his lead punch, especially when his opponents are presenting a high guard defense. It will be difficult for Floyd to time because of Pacquiao’s unorthodox and unpredictable movement. Coming from a blind angle and with less distance to travel than the rear hand, a lead hook works brilliantly as a jab counter during a simultaneous clash of lead punches. Look out for this punch, as Mayweather absolutely loves throwing lead jabs to the body. As Floyd does this, expect Pac to simultaneously counter with a short lead right hook to Mayweather’s temple. Pacquiao will also use this punch to attack Mayweather’s body each time Pacquiao moves to his right (Floyd’s left) and each time Floyd attempts to roll his shoulder, which will leave his left kidney ripe for the taking. What’s so devastating about Pacquiao’s well-developed right hook is that it comes from all sorts of different elevations. He has a short hook, a shovel hook, and a slashing hook – all designed to minimize Floyd’s transgressions and counters and open up gaps for Pacquiao to unleash his left hand. If Floyd can’t counter-attack Pacquiao while Manny is machine gunning his combinations in Floyd’s direction, expect the judges to recognize game.
#2: “Deception through Fakes and Feints” – The punches that hurt the most are the ones you don’t see coming. Just ask Shane Mosley, who said he was so dizzy after Pacquiao knocked him down with a six-inch punch immediately after using a quick feint that he didn’t know what the hit him. Pacquiao’s style is built on the subtle yet effective use of faking his opponents with jab steps and upper body feints in order to lull his opponents to sleep so he can create openings for an attack. All of Pacquiao’s offensive transgressions utilize, in one form or another, deceptive movements that are designed to win that split-second moment in which one move can make the difference in the round. His constant side-to-side upper body movement is something which Floyd has never before witnessed in the ring and it will certainly keep Floyd guessing. This type of movement is Floyd’s kryptonite because Floyd’s game is predicated upon learning the timing of his opponent’s movements. With Pacquaio, Floyd will have an extremely difficult time trying to figure out Pacquiao’s rhythm because simply put, Pacquiao doesn’t have a rhythm. His movements are in spurts, almost staccato and scattered, creating a highly elusive target. Floyd will be in constant guessing mode not knowing as to when and from where the next punch will be thrown. There is a reason it took 42 rounds for Marquez to time Pacquiao and my money says Floyd doesn’t figure out Pacquiao in less than 12 rounds.
#1: “Angular Movement”– Most people like to talk about Pacquiao’s excellence in punching from all angles. None of this would be possible if it weren’t for Pacquiao’s footwork, which is largely responsible for his angular movement. Angles are the key to scientific boxing, and few boxers in the sport today are more accomplished at acquiring them than Pacquiao. Manny’s footwork may be far from textbook but when it comes to gaining the positional advantage and confusing an opponent, it’s without equal. Whether using an inside angle or outside angle, Pacquiao uses his foot speed in order to gain valuable positioning and openings. Against Floyd, you will see Pacquiao in continuous movement, even appearing reckless and disjointed at times, in order to maximize his angles and to put Floyd out of position to counter effectively. A boxer needs a tremendous amount of stamina and energy to do this, which is why few, if any, have been so successful at utilizing angles to their benefit than Pacquiao. The ultimate repercussion for Floyd is that Pacquiao’s use of angles will limit Floyd’s power shots as well because Floyd won’t be able to get leverage on his vaunted straight right hand or left hook without reaching across himself thus mitigating his ability to generate power. Now you see him, now you don’t. One moment Pacquiao is there, the next moment he’s gone, already launching an attack from a new and improved position. You think Floyd will be able to set and re-set amidst a non-stop angular onslaught from Pacquiao? All of Floyd’s wood chopping will be for naught and if his legs are shot in any kind of way, he is in waist deep doo-doo.
Five Pacquiao weapons for each of Pacquiao’s five children, whose honor he will be fighting for on May 2nd.
You better believe it.
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