D4's Breakdown of Pacquiao vs Mayweather

I've decided to leave all the side issues of ducking, PED allegation out of this and just concentrate on the boxing, the fighters their styles and the tactics of the fight

Where to begin with this fight? For many of you this fight was on the cards 5 years ago, but I first thought about Pacquiao vs back in 2008. Even before then I would tell people Pacquiao was the P4P king now Mayweather.

But after Pacquiao stepped up to lightweight and demolished David Diaz I knew he could beat Floyd, and wrote an article about fights Mayweather never had, as Floyd had retired from the sport.

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Fight 10 Manny Pacquiao 135lbs

Even though Manny has fought at a higher weight than Floyd started out at, they have always been to far apart in weight to make any fight realistic, unless Floyd were to come back now and fight and 135-140 lbs. But if we could throw the time line out the window just for this one how would a Floyd 2002-04-20 (Castillo 1 fight) deal with Manny Pacquiao 2008-06-28 (David Diaz fight). Watching both fights I think Floyd will struggle with Manny work rate speed and movement as well his ability to avoid punches.
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This fight is the most anticipated fight in boxing history.
Both men are consider number 1 and 2 P4P in the sport and they are operating in the same division. Both have brushed by many of there opponents with relative ease and are multi-weight champions.

But what intrigues people is that they are polar opposites inside and outside the ring.

Mayweather is seen as a defensive master, very rarely gets hit cleanly and is an excellent counter puncher. He used the Philly Shell defence with executing the shoulder roll to avoid getting tagged, and using the pull counter to land his best punch, the straight right. He has very good timing, and reflexes which ables him to land check hook. Also physically strong, can throw elbow and use the forearm choke on the inside.

Pacquiao on the other hand is maybe the best attacking fighter of his generation. Throws with speed power and accuracy a potent combination.
Noted for his straight left, the best in the business, he has developed his right hand and his right hook counter is excellent. Has wonderful lateral movement which allows him to get into position to land punches at angles his opponents can't see coming. His work rate and stamina are top notch and will throw punches in bunches, which will be a problem for counter punches unless they don't mine getting tagged themselves. Pacquiao tend to use close double guard defence, but uses his movement, footwork to get avoid getting hit as well.



Mayweather is still unbeaten coming into this fight, Maidana pushed him hard first time around, but has looked good as he has ever had in at 38 years of age. Moved well against Canelo and Guererro. Still has his speed and reflexes and looks to have gained a more sturdy chin and become a bigger puncher in recent fights as well as looking physically stronger.

Pacquiao reached his peaked back in 2009-2010. He was much more explosive higher energy, power and a solid chin back then. The Margaritto took a lot out of him and has declined since that fight. The writing was on the wall and in the 4th JMM fight he suffered a devastating KO that would have ended lesser fighters careers. But he has come back, a bit more reserved and safety first, he lacks the aggression, power and high energy of before but is more experienced and defence savvy.

To the fight then, as I am running out of characters

For me this fight comes down to footwork and who can dictate the pace of the fight. For me Manny has the superior footwork can get in, throw his punches and get out. Obviously he will have to set traps for Floyd, use his feint and just can't lunge in, but he will have worked on that everyday in training. Floyd has issues with the left hand, which Manny has they best straight left in boxing. He also double and trebles up on his punches which helps stops counters. His work rate alone is a problem for Floyd as punches that don't land might still be counted by the judges and they favour aggression. Also Pacquiao speed will be hard to counter

Floyd will try to spoil catch him Pacquiao coming in with the right or try to walk him down and take the fight to Manny. He will try and set Manny up for something big, which is why Manny has to be very careful. Floyd was sparring with some big guys, look more bulky and I expect him to be looking for a KO, especially if he finds himself behind on the cards.

Floyd has a solid chin and Pacquiao will look to win the rounds. I see Pacquiao winning this bout on the cards, Floyd could get a late KO but that is only if Pacquiao get reckless, Freddie has to keep him in check and make sure he know that the win is what matters if a KO comes it comes, but don't go chasing it.

Thoughts, counter points let me know