It is not long now before Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao put an end to the years of discussions about the fight which almost never happened. But where will the fight be won?
– WIN: Front row seats for Mayweather vs Pacquiao at Novo Cinema
– Former boxers predict Mayweather vs Pacquiao outcome
Declan Taylor looks at which key themes will determine whose hand is raised once all is said and done at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
Speed
During the careers which have taken them to one and two on the pound-for-pound list, both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao have traded on speed of hand and speed of foot.
However, now both the wrong side of 35, which of these two has slowed most noticeably?
In his two fights against the tough but limited Marcos Maidana last year, particularly the first, it was clear that Mayweather’s feet have slowed and he was trapped on the ropes a few times. That said, his counter-punching speed was still quicksilver.
Pacquiao’s leg pace comes via in-and-out movement while his hand speed, with which he unloads frequent multi-punch combinations, is almost as blurring as ever.
Whoever can set the pace and maintain it through all 12 rounds will go a long way to taking this one.
Power
One of the most intriguing questions surrounding this, the richest contest in history, has been: ‘who is the puncher in the fight?’ That is to say, which of these men carries the power most capable of knocking out the other?
It is interesting because we have got used to watching Mayweather play the role of boxer in many of his recent fights, with big-punching opponents wheeled in in a bid to crash through his famous defence – take Maidana and the likes of Ricky Hatton for example.
Pacquiao, meanwhile, rose through the weight classes thanks to the sort of punching power not in keeping with his diminuitive stature.
The last time Manny Pacquiao fought on May 2nd at the MGM Grand: pic.twitter.com/HdPY2nEBWT #MayweatherPacquiao
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) May 1, 2015
However, he has not stopped anybody since his 12th round TKO victory over Miguel Cotto in 2009 – and even then it came thanks to sustained punishment rather than a one-punch finish.
So in this one you could argue that Mayweather, the larger man and carrying his trademark straight right hand, is the puncher in the fight while Pacquiao’s best chance of victory would come on points.
Also look out for Floyd’s left-hook, an often under-rated weapon from the orthodox stance round the southpaw guard.
Defence
If you had to choose which one of Mayweather’s attributes has most contrubuted to his sparkling career it would be his defence.
As Muhammad Ali said: ‘your hands can’t hit what your eyes can’t see’ and Money has built his career on being an ultra-elusive counter-puncher.
The American has mastered the art of the ‘shoulder roll’ defence, made famous by the likes of Archie Moore during his 30-year career which ended in the ’60s.
This involves leaning from the hips, turning sideways and protecting your face with your front shoulder while parrying anything that comes round the side with your back hand. However, this manoeuvre is most effective against other orthodox fighters because the point of attack from southpaws, like Pacquiao, changes.
A victory for the Filipino will come only if he can confuse Mayweather with his angles, breach the shoulder roll and land regularly.
Of course he must do all of that while avoiding punishment from Floyd and, like we saw when he was chillingly KOed by Juan Manuel Marquez in December 2012, Pacman can leave himself open too.
Trainers
This fight is not just about the two men in the middle but also the seconds in either corner. Mayweather is being trained by his father, the eccentric former pro Floyd senior, with whom he was once estranged.
This choice came as a surprise to some, with uncle Roger overlooked for the top job by ‘Little Floyd’. It is clear that the Money Man likes having his father around, and outspoken senior is adamant this is ‘just another fight’ and Pacquiao is ‘just another opponent’.
In the opposite corner, meanwhile, stands Freddie Roach, the seven-time Trainer of the Year, who shares an intense bond with his Filipino charge.
The pair have worked together since 2001, and Roach, who suffers from Parkinsons, admits without Pacquiao in his life he may have turned to suicide.
Roach has already been ‘beaten’ by Mayweather, when he trained Oscar De La Hoya for the pair’s fight in 2007. This time, Roach says he has perfected the game plan to beat Mayweather over the past five years.
Some would argue a man of Mayweather’s talent barely needs a trainer, that his skill alone is enough to get him out of the deep water, but a fight this delicately poised could be won or lost in the 60 seconds between rounds.
Occasion
Make no mistake, these two men are primed for the big stage; they’ve grown accustomed to headlining huge pay-per-view shows and performing in front of packed arenas but this fight is something else entirely.
Not only are the eyes of the world upon them, with hundreds of thousands making the pilgrimage to Vegas and millions upon millions tuning in across the planet, but defeat – more so than ever – is simply unthinkable.
While Mayweather insists it is ‘just another fight’ and cheekily describes Pacquiao as a ‘competitive opponent who should not be overlooked’, he will know that this is the fight that could define his legacy. However he does have the curious ability to suck the drama out of an event, and turn this into a fight he can control from the first bell.
Pacquaio is the underdog without question, but, as ever, carries the hopes of his nation upon his shoulders. Plus the born-again Christian says God will guide him to victory. The human mind is a strange thing and who knows how a unique event such as this might affect either man’s ability to perform.
