Finally..... Manny And Floyd May 2nd .......?

Come on, Manny is waay too good of a boxer and has way too good of footwork to be dismissed as a wild swinger. And his hand speed was excellent even if not quite as fast as Floyd. He just comes from many more angles and variety of punches, and though not a big, bulky looking guy, apparently hits like a mule as evidenced from remarks of some guys he has fought and his knockouts. Like Ray Leaonard was not a big bulky guy but hit like hell too.

I don't think this fight is that easy to call. They've both lost something from their primes but both are still world class. Who's lost more? Who wants it more? Who can take a better punch? Can Floyd hurt Manny enough to keep him off the whole fight? I do agree it will be epic whether it is 5 years too late or not. The build up and footage from their training camps is going to be awesome. Ali and Frazier were way past their peaks and prime when they fought for the 3rd time with The Thrilla in Manilla and it was still epic. Two great champions!

 

Ray Leonard was loosing the hell out of his first fight on points to Tommy Hearns. Couldn't get inside on him. Much greater height and reach advantage for Tommy. Until he did with one good shot several times in the fight that put Tommy on queer street, and then had the fast combinations with power in both hands to follow up and do the damage. I just don't see Floyd throwing a shutout and am hoping Manny can do the same. Floyd is 1" taller and does have a 5" reach on Manny. Add 5 years to each's age and here's the tale of the tape:



Still looking for thoughts on whether one or the other has maybe lost more since their prime. Manny is 2 years younger at least. How much power does Floyd have at 37 to keep Manny off of him, with Manny's quite decent quickness and excellent footwork?

 

Although I respect Manny's speed, power, and technique, and would prefer Manny to win, I don't think he'll have enough to win against Floyd's effective defensive style. Although both fight for the decision for the most part, Manny wins rounds by throwing a lot of punches and his decision rests with how many he lands. Mayweather on the other hand, is more cerebral on that part, and I think, that's how the fight will go down.

Floyd by decision with Manny throwing, but missing a lot of punches. He'll catch Floyd with a few good punches, but at this point in his career, I doubt he'll knock him out.

 

Not to mention, Manny got knocked out against an even lesser Marquez around 2 years ago. Meanwhile, Floyd has gone up against much stronger, albeit probably not quicker, but younger fighters like Maidana and Canelo, and still came out.

This fight is 5 years too late.

 

that's how i see it as well but, from the 30yrs i've been watching this sport, a single punch can change everything...can't wait...wish it was this weekend already lol

 

I really hope so. Manny really has to change his style, in my opinion, and actually play possum. He really has to pretend like he's on the ropes, play a little defensive, and then throw a haymaker when Floyd least expects it, rather than a standard jab, hook, or uppercut. Floyd is a counter fighter. He's honestly going to sit there and just let Manny throw 1000 punches and sit back and pick his spots and win on percentage.

Floyd had trouble against Maidana's awkward throws because he didn't train for them, and got caught a few times. With Manny's experience, and speed, it would, in my opinion, the way to go about Floyd.

 

With a name like Lance "Pugmire" what other sport you gonna cover?


Analysis
Mayweather-Pacquiao: Floyd brings speed, Manny the power
LANCE PUGMIREcontact the reporter

Boxing fans kept dreaming about a Floyd Mayweather Jr.-Manny Pacquiao fight. Once the super-bout was finally announced last Friday, many in boxing circles had their predictions ready to go about the winner of the May 2 fight at MGM Grand in Las Vegas

Floyd Mayweather Sr., who trains his son, delivered his forecast in a poem.

"Floyd's the best/I must confess/To all the rest/There is no contest," the elder Mayweather said.

"Floyd is smarter than him, Floyd is quicker than him, has more knowledge, and I'm going to tell you this right here: Floyd can't lose to him."

The man in the other fighter's corner, Pacquiao trainer Freddie Roach, had a different spin.


Who will win the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight? (poll)


Roach has spent years watching Mayweather Jr. (47-0, 26 knockouts), widely considered the undisputed top pound-for-pound boxer, who will fight the eight-division world champion Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) in a welterweight unification title bout.

Even before the fight was announced, Roach said his careful review of fight film convinced him Mayweather Jr., who turns 38 today, has slowed down.

Roach said his confidence in a Pacquiao victory is "100%. Everyone says [Mayweather's] changed his style to become more fan-friendly. He doesn't [care] about the fans. He just can't move no more."

And here we go …

lRelated
The matchup sports fans have clamored for since 2009 is long overdue, yet Mayweather and Pacquiao still rank 1-2 in most pound-for-pound boxing rankings.

It's Mayweather's foot and hand speed, defense and wisdom matched against the southpaw Pacquiao's rapid flurries of punches from all angles, and his fitness.

Among those caught up in the fervent, pre-fight buzz is former heavyweight champion George Foreman, who predicts Pacquiao will win by decision.

"Pacquiao has the edge … Mayweather makes up [rounds] later, [but] Pacquiao stays ahead," Foreman said in a text message.

Roach insists Pacquiao, 36, will catch and hit Mayweather.



Mayweather Sr. said he doesn't want his son to overtrain, and boasted that because of the unbeaten fighter's year-round discipline, "all Floyd needs is two good, full weeks" of training. "Two good weeks and he'll put him to sleep."

The elder Mayweather points out that Pacquiao hasn't knocked out any opponent since 2009, and wonders how the Filipino can crack Mayweather Jr.'s strong chin.

For good measure, Mayweather Sr. dismissed the credibility of Roach's multiple trainer of the year awards.

"He might be the one that everyone gives awards to, but he won't be getting the award this damn year," Mayweather Sr. said.

Roach said psychology will play a role in the fight. While Pacquiao might be far more soft-spoken out of the ring, inside it, "he'll penetrate Floyd mentally with his power."

Both fighters, though, seem past their peaks.

Pacquiao suffered a knockout by Juan Manuel Marquez in December 2012. He has rebounded with three straight wins, including an impressive decision over former undefeated welterweight champ Timothy Bradley Jr.

Meanwhile, Mayweather, known for his defensive wizardry, has been bruised in the last few years in fights against Shane Mosley, Miguel Cotto and Marcos Maidana. But none of those challengers could effectively sustain an attack against the elusive champion.

That's why MGM Resorts sports book lists Mayweather as more than a 2-1 favorite to win.

"Floyd has fought younger guys with more power and different technical levels," said Jay Rood, the MGM's race and sports book director, who said he expects gambling records to be broken by Mayweather-Pacquiao, along with pay-per-view and live-gate marks.

"Certainly, I think Manny can disrupt him, but Floyd is faster and has the ability to control the ring. Very few people can cut the ring off and get him to spots where he's uncomfortable. His athleticism allows him to escape."

The "X factor," Rood says, is how the tensions and years-long animosity between the two boxers will shape the battle.

"This has been brewing so long, maybe Floyd lets his guard down to take a calculated risk to become more aggressive than usual," Rood said. "If that's the case, we've got a great fight."



lance.pugmire@latimes.com

http://www.latimes.com/sports/la-sp-0224-mayweather-pacquiao-analysis-20150224-story.html

 

the same Floyd Sr. that was 'afraid for his son's life'

 

When was this.... for what? ^^^

 

Floyd wins this fight. 4 or so years ago Pacquaio had a better shot, IMO.

 

Al Haymon blocking sparring partners to work with Manny


http://www.boxingscene.com/roach-says-haymon-blocking-pacquiaos-sparring-picks--88111

 

Much as I want to see this, the hype of it being the greatest, most anticipated fight ever is beyond ridiculous. In their primes it wouldn't even be that. Undefeated Muhammad Ali vs undefeated Joe Frazier in fight 1 says hello along with countless others.