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All roads now lead to Las Vegas, Nevada for the richest boxing fight in history this weekend, pitting Floyd Mayweather Jr against Manny Pacquiao, the two greatest fighters of their generations.
So huge is the showdown that promoters are confident it would beat revenue records – from gate receipts, pay-per-view sales to sponsorship deals. It also guaranteed both fighters with an insanely huge amount that is the highest in the sport’s history.
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With just days before the anticipated May 2 match, Mayweather still enjoys the edge as the favourite among experts and hardcore fans. That is understandable considering the American’s unbeaten record.
Throughout his professional career, Pacquiao has accumulated five losses, three of those were knockouts. And against Mayweather, a highly defensive fighter, many see that the Filipino faces a very tough mission.
Mayweather and his camp have promised to put on a great show when the two rivals meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, predicting an easy win. While undergoing the most rigid training in his career, the American had said he treated the Pacquiao match as just another ordinary fight.
Given Pacquaio’s defeats, Mayweather seems confident he has the means to deal the Pacman another loss. The question, however, is how Mayweather will dispose of an opponent many predict will be his toughest.
Throughout his professional career, Mayweather has serious issues with southpaws. Against Zab Judah, he was hurt at one point by straight punches although he eventually prevailed with a unanimous decision victory.
But Judah is a far lesser southpaw than Pacquiao, who possesses a lightning quick left hand speed. If a slower Judah was able to tag the pound-for-pound king with his left, many expect the faster Filipino would cause Mayweather more trouble.
First on Mayweather’s mind should be to avoid Pacquiao’s big left. He should not leave any opening the way Ricky Hatton exposed himself to Pacquiao’s left hook that sent the Englishman to the canvas, sprawling helplessly.
Another blueprint that is proven effective against Pacquiao is counterpunching. The Pacman has always trouble dealing with counterpunchers. In their first bout, Erik Morales was able to counterpunch him for a gruelling 12 rounds.
Juan Manuel Marquez was also able to offset Pacquaio’s high-octane offence with his counterpunching ability. Every time Pacquiao would retreat from launching a quick combination, the Mexican would always find a way to hit back.
As we all know, in the last of their entertaining four fights, Marquez managed to eventually silence the Filipino dynamo by delivering that single punch to the jaw, sending Pacman face first to the canvas.
Mayweather is known to lean the rope when parrying offensives, something he should avoid against Pacquiao. In his fight with Marcos Maidana, Mayweather was seriously hurt when the Argentine relentlessly pursued him as he was leaning against the rope.
The American should make no mistake. Pacquiao’s speed and combinations are more effective when his opponents are on the rope.
Pacquiao has promised to unleash a ton of punches come Saturday night. If Mayweather would go in his usual way of seeking refuge on the rope when attacked, he will be in a very serious trouble.
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