Floyd Mayweather has a ring style that has perplexed opponents and mystified opposing trainers, of that there is no doubt. He is, perhaps, the best defensive fighter of this era and when history looks back over his long and storied career, he may be regarded as one of the best defensive fighters of all-time.
But what happens on those rare occasions when ?Money? Mayweather actually gets cracked with a well-placed, well-timed shot?
History tells us that when you can land something big on Mayweather, there?s a very good chance that you can hurt him, despite the fact that he has zero official knockdowns on his record.
DeMarcus ?Cho Chop? Corley wobbled Mayweather, Zab Judah should?ve been credited with a knockdown when they fought, an unexpected Shane Mosley shot rocked Mayweather hard, and even Marcos Maidana stiffened Floyd?s legs with one perfect right hand.
The five-division champ has been able to hide his vulnerable chin by perfecting the ultimate defensive style and executing it to perfection. Against the heaviest hitters he has faced, Mayweather has been focused and on his game, making sure that nothing gets close enough to test his possible vulnerability.
But notice that all of those beard-cracking moments have either come at the hands of southpaws or from wild shots thrown at unorthodox angles.
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And what is Manny Pacquiao? He is the very personification of a southpaw who throws big punches at unorthodox angles.
Also notice the obvious fact that Mayweather?s foot speed has slowed down considerably and, at 38, his reaction time is better than most, but still slower than when he was at his prime. Despite what his supporters and apologists will tell you, Mayweather is, by far, more hittable today than at any other stage of his career.
So, what will happen when an energized, motivated, and active Manny Pacquiao launches his wild, frenetic southpaw attack on a slower than ever Mayweather? Surely, there will be plenty of misses and blocked shots, but there will also be many punches that do land?and land at strange, off-putting angles for Mayweather.
Even if you believe that Mayweather will win the mega-fight, you have to acknowledge that Pacquiao will succeed at being able to hit him, at least to some degree. Pacquiao is just too good and too strong-willed to be shut-out for a full twelve rounds.
If punches are getting in, there?s more than a good chance that Mayweather?s chin will be checked?big time. And if he gets buzzed by a fighter like Manny Pacquiao, who is all-around better and more laser-focused than anyone who has ever cracked him before, chances are very good that Mayweather will go down.
Pacquiao has the style to hurt Mayweather and the finishing ability to close the show.
