If there were such a thing as a Mount Olympus of boxing, the boxing gods must all be watching the boxing masses now with amusement and curiosity. Like their mortal subjects, they may even be split amongst themselves on the looming matchup between the firebreathing destroyer Manny Pacquiao and the otherwordly boxing virtuoso Floyd Mayweather Jr.
The hysteria and attention from the boxing masses on such a showdown is absolutely warranted, given both fighters’ ability, stature and mass appeal. Much has been written already on its potential impact, even more on its huge fallout were it not to happen.
But what if the boxing gods did smile on their subjects, and made this dream of a fight a reality? How would such a struggle unfold between two modern-day titans of the ring?
An assessment that covers size, speed, stamina, power, technique, skill, fighting style, defense, ring intelligence, experience, heart and corner would be a prudent approach in predicting the outcome of such a titanic clash.
SIZE
One fighter here virtually monopolizes the tale of the tape. Not only is Mayweather taller by two inches than his rival, his extended wingspan threatens to engulf the smaller PacMan with a five-inch reach advantage.
Aside from the significant edge in length, Mayweather is the naturally bigger fighter having fought as a welterweight since 2005. By contrast, Pacquiao has had only three bouts at welterweight, each time weighing in at least a pound or so under the contracted limit.
To hammer the point with finality, the fact that Floyd Jr. opted to pay the fine rather than make the catch-weight of 144 lbs against Juan Manuel Marquez while Pacquiao?s camp claims to still make the junior welterweight limit, points to the undeniable difference in each fighter?s natural weight class.
SPEED
Both are the fastest gunslingers in the game today. While they may have similar handspeed, Mayweather could edge it based on his reach advantage but only by a slight margin, as Pacquiao?s speed is the sustained type whereas Floyd?s is in spurts at best.
Footspeed is another matter, as the PacMan marauds nonstop with fleet footwork. Floyd has excellent footspeed of his own, but he uses it mainly for defense.
STAMINA
Pacquiao has been a typhoon in his fights the last couple of years, the last time he seemed to show signs of even slowing down late in a fight was in a loss to Erik Morales. And even then he was throwing fight-ending howitzers up to the last moments of the ultimate round. From that time to now, it is hard to find faults in his stamina.
Mayweather on the other hand, simply has never run out of gas in his fights. Whether it is due to his obsessive training streak that includes running at four o?clock in the morning, or just his uncanny ability to dictate the pace of a fight, the man has never shown a weakness in this department.
PUNCHING POWER
Even though Pacquiao is a natural 140-pounder his power remains a legitimate threat at welterweight. Mayweather himself has underrated pop, but his brittle hands hold him back from unleashing his full power especially in the early rounds.
TECHNIQUE & SKILLS
Floyd?s fundamentals leave little to exploit. His technique is the finished product of virtually a lifetime perfecting pugilistic craft, having been exposed to boxing?s fundamentals at an extremely early age.
In stark contrast, Manny?s technique under the tutelage of Freddie Roach has been evolving gradually. Since hooking up together, Pacquiao has developed two hammers in place of a single big left while his balance, timing and use of angles have been further improved. The surprising, or scary for some, reality is that PacMan seems to continually improve his technique each fight with nary a hint of plateauing in the near future.
FIGHTING STYLE & DEFENSE
Counter-punchers feed off their opponents? aggression, and in this styles matchup Money seems to have a lock on the fighting congressman from the tropics. Mayweather also has the ability to be more offensive-minded as seen in his near shutout of Sugar Shane Mosley, and in another dominant victory over underachieving talent Zab Judah.
Respected trainer Naazim Richardson has seen this side of Floyd and correctly pointed it out before the Mayweather-Mosley fight, and while not exactly turning into a so-called dragon, Floyd can indeed walk down his opponents by shutting down their offensive options while he himself looks to get his shots in.
PacMan the marauder on the other hand, lets both hammers go while getting in and out of range at odd angles and crazy speeds. He is primarily hardwired to discombobulate and destroy the opposition with nonstop offense.
Even though Pacquiao?s defense has considerably improved from his wild slugging days, comparing it to a defensive virtuoso?s is ultimately unfair. After all, Floyd lives and dies with his defensive perfection.
(To be continued)
Part II will tackle the rest of the factors.
