Until they have gone through the first 3 or 4 rounds, nobody really knows which versions of themselves will show up for the biggest fight tomorrow, Sunday in the Philippines.
Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao spent cloistered for most part of their10-week training. Each had carefully laid his own strategy and tactics to proclaim his self the greatest in their generation come crunch and decision time.
That Mayweather will stick to his defensive best is already a given. What remains to be seen is how he neutralizes Pacquiao?s relentless assault.
Pacquiao will be all by himself atop the ring with Mayweather tomorrow.Pic by Edwin Espejo
Mayweather will also be hitting at a target more agile or even faster than he is.
Nothing has prepared him for this.
When the two are left alone atop the ring with only the referee inside, they may or may not be able to execute their plans.
The first 3 or 4 rounds will be a tactical battle. Like chess, each fighter will position their pieces and hope to build a strong offense or defense as the case may be.
But because they are a study of contrasting styles, somebody has to take the risk to make a fight really happen.
Pacquiao?s strategy is to give Mayweather the controlled aggression more than the American can handle.
Freddie Roach said he forced Pacquiao to use his left more often in the most difficult training camp the two had ever put up.
Roach, like a true ring tactician, is probably telling us only half-truths because there will be a lot of feinting and faking and plenty of rights that will come from Manny?s way.
What Roach probably also did not elaborate is that Pacquiao will use a lot of double and triple lefts to confuse and put Mayweather?s defense off guard.
Of course I am just trying to figure out which strategy will work best against Mayweather.
But there are givens that Pacquiao should avoid.
There should be no pattern in his offense. No careless rushing in. And never lose patience.
The offense must not be static. Never allow Mayweather to get into his comfort zone.
Give Mayweather different looks in every round.
Lots of bobbing and weaving. Plenty of body shots. And abundant lateral movements. Vary the punch combinations. These will help confuse Mayweather and forget that boxing means hitting not evading.
When Mayweather is reduced to avoiding being hit rather than compelling Pacquiao to miss, half the battle is won.
Meanwhile, the two will sleep in the longest night of their boxing life.
Tomorrow, the will make their deliverance.
