For one thing, Manny Pacquiao, indeed, had troubles executing a nutcracker approach upon Joshua Clottey’s “peekabo tank”, which some deemed Pacquiao as less effective.
For twelve rounds, Pacquiao threw 1,231 punches, landing 246 while Clottey landed 108 out of 399, showing the latter a much higher rate of accuracy.
Now, let us talk again about a potential fight between Pacquiao and Mayweather. Pacquiao’s winning prospect over Floyd Mayweather, Jr. must have already dropped significantly, especially at sports betting sites, if Mayweather were to fight Pacquiao today. Sure, more bets would be laid favorably on Mayweather to win. Conversely, Pacquiao is too fast but less accurate of a hunter against Floyd Mayweather, Jr., according to Leonard Ellerbe, adviser and co-trainer of Mayweather, Jr., during an ambush interview with Associated Content at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
So, what’s in store now for Pacquiao’s chances against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. who is clearly gifted of supersonic hands and feet plus ring intelligence?
What about Mayweather,Jr.’s counter-punching ability that borders to perfection?
Will Pacquiao be more of an accurate attacker against Mayweather, Jr.?
Consider this: Pacquiao had so much difficulty breaking down Clottey’s defense even though the latter was just simply standing right in front of him, void of lateral movements – mounting his own bilateral forearm-shell defense, in fact – and was never a moving target.
What if Clottey counter-attacked Pacquiao consistently just like what he did in round 9 through 11,which had Pacquiao’s head snapped thrice or more, and showed a masterstroke of footwork and dering-do such as that of Mayweather,Jr.’s? Would it be any different at all?
Yes, styles make a fight and may rarely duplicate a scenario, so to speak. But, whether Pacquiao really has
that distinguishing reach to muster effective attacks against Mayweather, Jr., considering the latter’s elastic
shoulder-rolling tactic plus quick jabs like that of “Jack-in-the box style”, is not even a matter of debate than just a mere speculation. All these will have to be resolved once these two fighters get on boxing fans’ best wishes inside the ring of violence.
Can Pacquiao really refine his style and be a bit tentative of his less calculating aggression when he faces Mayweather, Jr.?
