I never bought into the theory and the hype that Floyd Mayweather Jr. was avoiding Manny Pacquiao for fear that the Pac-Man would expose "Money" as a paper champion.
Pacquiao's narrow decision victory over Juan Manuel Marquez on Saturday night pretty much confirmed my suspicions.
You see why everyone was marveling over Pac-Man's dazzling hand speed and his aggressive style. I was noticing Manny's inability to avoid counter-punches.
While HBO spent the majority of their time accusing Mayweather of ducking Pacquiao and drooling over his tendency to physically overwhelm opponents, I was wondering if Manny had any idea of defensive concepts.
I also spent a little time reviewing the first two Pacquiao-Marquez fights and Mayweather's own fight with Marquez in 2009.
Marquez very well could have won either of his first two fights with Pacquiao, and there is no question that Mayweather completely dismantled Marquez in their own bout, to the point where two judges had Mayweather winning every single round.
I'm sure Pacquiao's supporters will say that one thing has nothing to do with the other, and there is no way to predict how Manny will perform against Mayweather based on his fights with Marquez.
The only fallacy in that logic is Manny would be forced to contend with the same style that troubled him in the ring three times with Marquez, and if you think Marquez was impressive on the counter, just imagine how difficult Mayweather would make life for Manny.
In case you forgot, Mayweather may be the most impressive counter-puncher in the history of the sweet science, and he's much faster than Marquez and doesn't get hit nearly as much.
Mayweather's shoulder-roll defensive technique and his ability to immediately throw his right hand out of that stance dropped Marquez in the ninth round of their 2009 fight, and I'm pretty sure Pacquiao would probably suffer the same fate.
Only quicker, because unlike Marquez, Manny is not much of a counter-puncher and his aggressive style plays right into Mayweather's hands.
After watching Marquez carefully pick Manny off after Pacquiao's energetic barrages, I wonder if a Pac-man Mayweather fight would even be that competitive.
It's hard to beat what you can't hit, and while Mayweather is as elusive as they come, it's his lightening quick speed on the counter-punch that makes me think he would make short work out of Manny.
In fact, Manny's style could possibly make Mayweather look better than he has against any recent opponent.
Manny's fans are convinced that he really did win a close bout against Marquez on Saturday night, and they may be right, but are they still convinced that the defenseless Pacquiao can beat Mayweather, a fighter who embarrassed Marquez?
Maybe Manny should accept a fourth fight with Marquez before stepping into the ring against Mayweather. If the first three fights are any indication, the myth that is Pacquiao will probably come to an end that night.
Colton Gilies Justin Falk Robbie Eal Joe Callahan Bryan Allen Mark Cullen
No comments:
Post a Comment