Let?s just say theoretically Bob Arum and Michael Koncz are right on this one, just this once, that the supposed megafight between P4P king Manny Pacquiao and surefire runner up Floyd Mayweather will indeed take place in November. What can we expect out of the fight itself? Boxing experts are split right down the middle as to who will win this highly anticipated matchup, and with much reason. On paper, Mayweather-Pacquiao is a toss up. Both sides also have extreme cult followings, where in the eyes of maniacal fans, their favorite fighter can do no wrong ? ?nuthugger-ism? being the operative word.
Floyd Mayweather has made a living off of pot shotting his opponents and picking his spots really carefully, landing only solid and accurate blows, enough to earn him points victories. He has mastered ?the art of the unanimous decision victory? so to speak. Most think it is a boring style, and to the casual boxing fan, it really is sleep inducing what with the lack of action the style brings ? a style that hinges on counter punching and capitalizing on opponents mistakes not necessarily to do damage, but to score points (hence Mayweather?s low KO rate). One thing we cannot question however is its effectiveness. If Mayweather is to be favored in a fight against Pacquiao, there is no doubt it is by decision. To think otherwise (that Mayweather could claim Pacquiao?s head via KO) would put you in the ?Nuthugger? category.
On the flipside of things, Pacquiao has made a name for himself physically manhandling his opponents inside the ring. He has shot into stardom, knockout after devastating knockout. His style ? highly fan friendly, he swings for the fences and he swings a lot. More often than not, he challenges fighters who are physically a lot bigger than he is, making him sort of the underdog (sort of because everyone knows though he is smaller, he is almost always the stronger and faster fighter). Opposite of Mayweather, Pacquiao throws punches to hurt his foe, to knock him down and eventually knock him out. If anything at all, Pacquiao will have to win, should he fight Mayweather, by knocking him out.
This is where it gets tricky. Barring the Pacquiao KO victory, we are left with a decision based on what the judges will see throughout the duration of the fight. DECISION. Certainly this makes Floyd Mayweather the favorite right? It would appear so. Does this mean that if the fight goes to the judge?s score cards, that it?s automatically a victory for Mayweather because Pacquiao wasn?t able to knock him out? Let?s elaborate a little bit.
I believe that Mayweather, known for his pinpoint accuracy (and you can pretty much expect him to be accurate), will have to be scored on how aggressive he is against a guy that is so wide open and vulnerable. It?s no secret that Pacquiao is no defensive dynamo, the guy leaves his hands down most of the fight and is open to counter punching, the likes of which Mayweather?s equally fast hands can most definitely deliver. In my opinion, Mayweather should be scored on how much he capitalizes on that. If he sees Pacquiao?s head open for a punch that he can throw, he has to throw it and land it. He can?t wussy out of it and not throw. Simply put, Mayweather will have to be scored in this fight on his willingness to NOT take it to a decision, he has to show the judges that he is capable of laying the hurt on Pacquiao, this is a contact sport after all. If by the end of the fight, Pacquiao isn?t bruised and cut and bloodied, I don?t think the judges should give it to Mayweather. I don?t think he would deserve it, not in a fight of this magnitude, with this much at stake.
On the other hand, in order for Pacquiao to win a decision, the formula is laid out and clear. He will have to be the busier fighter (as he almost always is), that lands the more telling blows. Now landing a solid shot on Mayweather is indeed a tall order, but with Freddie Roach in his corner, I?m sure Pacquiao will find a way. How often he does will be the deciding factor. If Pacquiao can land enough power shots on Mayweather that do visible damage (keyword being visible) to a fighter they once called ?The Pretty Boy?, I think by the end of the fight, if it?s close and comes down to the wire, that Pacquiao could win by decision. It would have to be via split or razor thin unanimous, and though it?s next to impossible because he?d be up against Mayweather, it?s still a possibility with a small glimmer of hope.
Of course this is Boxing. And throughout the course of history, we have fallen in love with our upsets. Though I would consider a Mayweather victory by KO an upset, I do also think a Pacquiao victory by decision equally upsetting. Given Mayweather?s undefeated record and defensive style, I would like to think that Mayweather would be the betting favorite to win by Unanimous Decision with Pacquiao coming in as a close underdog to win by knockout.
Start saving your cash. We stand to make a lot of money betting on this one. It?s definitely a toss up folks!
