The world will stop on May 2 when Floyd Mayweather Jr (47-0, 26 KO) and Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KO) climb onto the ring in one of the biggest important sporting events of the century, to dispute the WBA-WBC and WBO 147lbs world titles at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
On the side of “The Money” is his masterful defense, he fully dominates the art of hit and not be hit. Bets will favor him as well as most of the boxing analyst’s opinions. But it will be vital for him in this fight to deploy all his intelligence in the ring from opening bell to neutralize the ferrous Filipino’s attacks.
On the side of “Pacman” is his speed, the ability to throw punches from different and unexpected angles and the pressure he makes on his opponents. However, we must be aware that the American is the master of counterpunching. Hi is no the favorite for this fight, but it is the darling of the fans.
They are two different styles that make one think that it will be a duel of strategies, where the physical aspect is vital. The one who endures the 12 rounds in better shape, unless there is an early KO, will be the winner because age plays a fundamental role, for Floyd, 38 and 36 for Manny.
For this reason in training of both fighters the trainer has played an important role. “Pretty Boy” has Alex Ariza, former trainer of his opponent, who is in charge that Mayweather endures the train of Bout, and that the WBA and WBC champion has praised his work in various statements. For his part, Pacquiao has Justin Fortune who believes that the Boxer is in excellent condition.
However, there are some questions that must be cleared the day of fight. Has Mayweather lost speed on his legs? In his last two fights with Marcos René Maidana we saw him complicated against a messy complicated opponent, especially at the end of the second version of their fight. Also remains the doubt whether Pacquiao got rid of that creepy blow that Juan Manuel Márquez shot him.
Despite their differences they have five opponents in common: Ricky Hatton, Miguel Cotto, Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez all tasted defeat at the hands of these two warriors, except Marquez who in four battles with “Pacman” drew one and in the fourth “Dynamite” gave him the most dreadful defeat to arch rivals.
But we will know everything this Saturday May 2, after more than 5 years waiting; Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao finally give to the world the fight that everyone wanted to see.
