After five years of waiting, the world will finally see Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao square off at the MGM Garden Arena in Las Vegas. A contest that many dub the “Fight of the Century” will air on May 2 and only one thing is certain: both boxers will earn millions after the bout.
With a pot of $250 million, the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight is one of the most anticipated clashes in sports history.
A Filipino world champion professional boxer coming in with 57 wins. five losses two draws and 38 knockouts, Pacquiao bursts into the ring with a southpaw style that exploits odd angles and relentless offense.
The undefeated American professional career with ten world titles coming in with a 47-0 record, Mayweather’s orthodox style and quick ducking and weaving earned him a spot next to boxing’s greatest.
Mayweather and Pacquiao represent the greatest fighters in their respective styles. And while boxing enthusiasts are split between the two, polls and bids place Pacquiao as an underdog.
But don’t be eager in rooting for Mayweather, because last time people called Pacquiao the underdog was against Oscar De La Hoya. A towering four inches taller than Pacquiao, De La Hoya, much like many watching, expected the Olympic gold medalist to absolutely pummel “the little guy.” There was a pummeling, but it was Pacquiao who unleashed a fury of punches against De La Hoya and eventually won the match.
If the victory over De La Hoya doesn’t prove his fearlessness in the ring, Pacquiao’s destructive performance against Chris Algieri will make you a believer. Algieri came into the fight having won all 20 of his professional matches – sound familiar? Yet Pacquiao showed no mercy in bringing the American kick boxer down.
“I can say he’s a difficult opponent but I’m comfortable and confident. My killer instinct is back. I’m different from the 47 opponents he’s fought before. I’m faster than any of them. He will experience his first loss,” said Pacquiao on Mayweather.
Mayweather is one of the smartest and most tactical boxers of our time. His undefeated record was not due to luck or chance, but because Mayweather boxes like playing chess: waiting for the right time and opening to strike. Match after match, Mayweather completely dismantles his opponents. In any game, you can see how clever and clear-headed Mayweather crushes the boxers he faces.
Pacquiao’s southpaw style is nothing new to the orthodox boxer. Mayweather also faced and thrashed eight boxers who fought with a southpaw style.
Mayweather said, “I’ve always got the remedy to solve the problem and come out on top. I don’t know if he can make adjustments. I’ve always been able to make adjustments.”
ESPN’s Igor Guryashkin said that Mayweather is the most accurate puncher in boxing. Armed with five more inches of reach, Mayweather forces Pacquiao to fight in close quarters, sneaking his famous and accurate punches into the bout.
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is boxing’s visual representation of what happens when a unstoppable force meets an immovable object. Mayweather’s record proves his versatility in the ring and ability to adapt to an opponent’s style mid-fight. But Pacquiao’s unorthodox southpaw and unforgiving punches may be enough to have a step on his opponent.
Numerous questions circle in the ring. Can the American weather the Filipino’s barrages? Can the underdog pack a punch against the hardened, undefeated boxer? Both contenders are deadly fighters and both have something to prove.
There’s only one way to find out who will come out victorious and who will be the boxer that was. No matter what the outcome, both fighters will walk away richer with what most people only dream of earning in their entire lifetime.
It’ll certainly be a close fight, but my money’s on Floyd Mayweather Jr., the undefeated, five-division world champion.
