YOU must be just as excited as I am with the biggest fight in the history of the sport exactly one week away.
And regardless of the outcome, you should be just as proud that one of the protagonists in the fight of the century is a Filipino.
Manny Pacquiao is the greatest Pinoy fighter ever, and arguably the best southpaw to lace on a pair of gloves.
And if he wins this Sunday, he just might have a legitimate stake to the claim as the best ever.
But let?s put Pinoy pride aside for a moment and attempt an impartial objective take on this fight.
Here?s the case for both men.
WHY MANNY WILL WIN.
He?s younger and fresher?Sure, he?s been through more wars but numbers don?t lie. Floyd is the older guy with older legs.
Floyd?s achilles heel is the southpaw stance?We all know Floyd had problems against Zab Judah and even against Marcus de Corley. Bottom line is that the shoulder roll defense was created primarily to defend against an orthodox fighter. Against a southpaw opponent, it?s crap.
Manny is stronger?Both of these fighters are speed merchants, but since they are probably evenly matched in this department, Manny?s edge in power will prove to be the deciding factor.
Manny has nothing to lose?Floyd is favored to win?being undefeated, but that only puts more pressure on him. The pressured fighter , as opposed to the more relaxed one, will be more prone to errors. Against Manny Pacquiao, you cant afford to commit errors.
Floyd is ready to fall- Every fighter has his day. In Floyd?s case, we have been seeing hin getting hit more often than he is accustomed to. Manny is in the proper place at the right time.
WHY FLOYD WILL WIN.
He?s never been beaten and there?s a reason why.
Despite all the commentary and observation about Floyd having problems with southpaws, his record is still unblemished.
That means he always finds a way to win and there?s no reason to think this fight will be any different.
He?s faster. ?Pacquiao is fast, but Floyd might just be a tad faster. In the world of fighting, speed kills and that slight millisecond advantage translates to a lot more rounds on the scorecards
Manny has never recovered from that KO?After being knocked out cold by Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao has fought B- list fighters like Chris Algieri and Brandon Rios. Sure he defeated Tim Bradley, but we all know he beat him the first time they met.
So he has never been really tested yet against an elite opponent, after that knockout. The difference in quality of opponents will prove to be quite instructive in this fight.
Manny is easy to hit- If a slow, plodding Rios can land right hands, and a scared Algieri can score with jabs, there?s just no way for Manny to avoid Floyd?s hits.
And if Marquez can knock him out with one right hand, imagine the damage a bigger Floyd can do.
Floyd has the physical advantages- He?s the naturally bigger fighter and will have the height and reach advantage.
As you can see, a pretty strong argument can be made out for either fighter. That?s what makes this fight so intriguing.
LAST ROUND. It ?s on Mr Jun Zosa who recently celebrated his birthday. Cheers!
