WITH a November 13 superfight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather edging ever closer ? albeit at the pace of a particularly indolent snail ? and my tales from New York now exhausted, it seems like a good time to compare the two best fighters in the world. With marks out of 10 for power, speed, Strength, defensive skills and tactical ability up for grabs, as I write this even I don’t know who?s going to come out on top.
Power
Punching power cannot be fairly judged on knockout ratio alone, luckily for Mayweather, who has 25 inside-the-distance triumphs from 41 wins (around 60 per cent), compared to Pacquiao?s 38 from 51 (just under 75 per cent). Pacquiao as a naturally aggressive fighter would be expected to have more early wins than a mostly defensive counter-puncher like Mayweather; it doesn’t mean the Filipino hits harder. That said, while Mayweather can really hurt opponents if he lands cleanly and accurately, Pacquiao seems to make an impact on his larger rivals even with glancing blows, giving him the edge.
Pacquiao: 8 Mayweather: 7
Speed
Foot speed is key to both men but while Pacquiao has the advantage in raw quickness, Mayweather is the better controlled and more graceful mover. Both possess fast hands (two each!) but Floyd these days rarely throws combinations consisting of more than three shots. His single blows are sharp to the point to the point of sudden, Pacquiao maintains his handspeed throughout a greater volume of shots.
Pacquiao: 9 Mayweather: 8
Strength
There is no question that Pacman is super-strong for a guy who started out at flyweight. But his speed and workrate are such that his opponents are rarely in a position to attempt to push Manny back or engage him in the trenches. We have also yet to see the WBO welter king in a gruelling battle beyond super-feather. Mayweather is often so superior to his foes that physical strength is rendered a moot point. However, against Oscar De La Hoya and particularly Ricky Hatton, ?Money? showed his more robust side and did not allow himself to be bullied. He?s been at welterweight longer than his rival and has also gone 12 rounds 12 times to Pacquiao?s five.
Pacquiao: 7 Mayweather: 8
Defensive skills
Mayweather has a clear edge here, despite the improvements Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach have made over the years. Floyd Jnr has been employing defensive drills since a very young age and it shows ? he can slip, block, roll and parry better than anyone in the sport and is expert at using the shoulder defensively also. He can be caught ? just look at the Shane Mosley contest ? but Pacquiao is more open, especially when attacking which, let?s face it, is most of the time.
Pacquiao: 8 Mayweather: 9
Pacquiao?s all-round game has improved since the second Juan Manuel Marquez fight. Guile, patience and composure have been added to Manny?s magnificent attacking ability. He still retains the same overall style but it has proven to be a highly effective style. Mayweather can fight going forward, back and side-to-side. Highly adaptable, he is able to change his gameplan mid-fight. This tactical nous is perhaps Mayweather’s greatest asset.
Pacquiao: 8 Mayweather: 9
Total: Pacquiao: 40 Mayweather: 41
The Verdict
Remarkably, or perhaps not so given the status of the fighters, there is just one point in it. Add in Pacquiao?s workrate and Mayweather?s accuracy and that score would change again. Let?s hope the result is a bit more clear-cut on the night, touch wood, should it happen. Until next time…
