‘Recklessness’ may be key to Pacquiao’s victory
Remember Marquez?
Their histories suggest Mayweather would pick Pacquiao apart in a boxing match. He’s no Tim Bradley or Chris Algieri, two fights whose above-average boxings skills should have helped prepare Pacquiao for the master boxer.
Marquez showed us the template to defeating this version of Pacquiao vastly improved at Wild Card.
Article continues after this advertisementRemember how Marquez invested with jabs to the body early in Fight 4 then caught Pacquiao with a looping right to the temple even with his arms up? Pacquiao didn’t see it coming and in boxing, the punch you don’t see is often the one that knocks you down or out.
It’s scary because that same punch has been perfected by Mayweather. It was on display against the high guard of Cotto, arguably a better defensive fighter than Pacquiao.
Another weapon of choice for Mayweather is the counter right straight after stepping back from an incoming punch. Pacquiao might receive a steady serving of this on fight night.
Article continues after this advertisementFormer Filipino welterweight contender and now trainer Rey Pelonia often tells his boxers this: the fight game is as much mental as it is physical. Out-think your opponent and you’ve won half of the battle.
Mayweather is arguably the smartest boxer today. But Pacquiao is not far behind. A common asset is their calmness in the ring, which allows them to preserve their energy and do what they have trained to do.
Key to Mayweather’s downfall
But Mayweather is more calculated, hardly showing frustration even if he is a few rounds behind. Like a chess grandmaster, he has the whole game all figured out.
To be sure, Roach has devised the perfect fight plan against Mayweather. Don’t be surprised if “recklessness”—throwing bombs from unconventional angles, coming in with fakes and feints using quick feet from odd directions—will be in Pacquiao’s arsenal.
Pacquiao’s perpetual motion and volume punching should cause problems for Mayweather. Boxers tend to count and time punches, but this strategy doesn’t exactly work against unpredictable fighters like Pacquiao. Like any other defensive wizard, Mayweather can only block so much.
Las Vegas odds say Mayweather will be victorious over Pacquiao. But this is boxing. For all we know, Pacquiao’s recklessness will be key to Mayweather’s downfall.
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