Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are the biggest names in boxing today. Not only that but the hype surrounding their eventual meeting has transcended the usual fight fans and even out beyond the casual fans who might catch the bigger fight cards.
For the first time in a long time boxing is back on the front pages, and new fans are being exposed to a sport that many had written off as slowly dying only a couple of years ago. With the still suffering heavyweight division, the rise of mixed martial arts and the ever present resentment of the ABC titles in every weight class, boxing was on its knees. Fast forward to the present day and we have two pound for pound kings facing off in the biggest fight in history.
After all the build up and attention that the fight is being given though, the one question remaining is whether the fight itself will actually be very entertaining to most of the fans?
Sure for the hardcore fans, the fact that the pound for pound title is at stake, not to mention that Floyd’s unbeaten record is on the line will be enough. That is to say no matter how the actual fight turns out they will be happy with the event. Those who only catch the odd boxing card might not be so easily placated though, and for a lot of the new fans this fight will attract, only an exciting display will suffice.
The big gamble in trying to predict how the fight will turn out is that we basically have one of the most exciting fighters in the world against one of the most boring. While both are unquestionably effective, Manny puts on a show while Floyd outclasses with his technique. In short most think we will either have a 12 round shut out from Floyd or a brutal battering from Manny, and not anything in between.
Floyd always does just enough (AP Photo)
If Floyd wins the fight, then expect a snoozer. A lot of the outcome will depend on which man is the faster when they both get into the ring, and a good case can be made for either at this stage.
Should Floyd be the faster though, and be able to keep up with Manny’s all out attacks and odd angled punches, a decision is the only place this one is heading.
Mayweather has never been a big puncher, and has never been one to take a risk when grinding out a decision will do. He also throws fewer punches than a heavyweight in some of his fights, pot shotting his way to victory without ever pushing either himself or his opponent.
Despite the fact that there has been a lot of smack talk from the Mayweather clan during the build up to this fight, I get the feeling Floyd himself isn’t really that emotionally involved. No matter what gets said by either of them Floyd will always fight the same when he gets in there with a pit-bull like Manny.
Manny is all or nothing (AP Photo)
If Manny wins, there are two possible scenarios I can see that the fight could take. The first is that Manny simply blitzes Floyd in the first few rounds.
Unlike Manny and his coach Roach game plans, Floyd tends to go in cold and take a few rounds to feel out his opponent. When he has the rhythm and timing figured out, he takes over and starts to rack up the rounds and score points. If Manny presses him hard before he has settled into his comfort zone, then he may well overwhelm him and get a quick knockout.
The other scenario that I can see playing out in Manny’s favor is a thorough domination of ‘money’ with Floyd hanging on to lose on the scorecards. In this case even after taking a few rounds to try to work Manny out, Floyd finds himself too slow to get out of the way of all Manny’s punches.
The fact that Manny puts out such a high volume of punches and that he hits so hard will no doubt mean that Floyd will get hit more than usual. Even though he might win several of the rounds, Manny will do more of the damage and Floyd will eventually get worn down as Manny gets stronger. Not to mention that if Manny can land a decent amount of punches on Floyd, then Mayweather’s own pot shots won’t be enough to win him the fight, perhaps pushing him into the unfamiliar territory of being behind on the scorecards.
