It is difficult to knock a man's stamina when he throws as many punches as Pacquiao does. So before I get hate mail claiming that I have about as much Boxing knowledge as one of the kids from "Jon & Kate Plus 8", understand I'm not claiming Pacquiao is weak in this category. Rather, I'm just pointing out that against Marquez and Morales (first fight), Manny lost some crucial rounds down the stretch.
This is in comparison with Floyd Mayweather, who could be described as a fitness fanatic, who regularly spars over 12 rounds with weights attached to him. Also take into account, he has been able to overcome early adversity and use his superior conditioning to take over fights as he did against Ricky Hatton and Zab Judah.
So to all those Pacquiao fans, don't take this as a knock against your boy, but rather an endorsement of the magnificent athletic abilities of Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Winner: Floyd Mayweather
Corner:
Since taking over the reigns of his nephew's career, Roger Mayweather has been able to craft Floyd's skills into near perfection. Floyd was always a remarkable talent but early on in his career it seemed the young man simply coasted on natural ability, while he was under the direction of his father, Floyd Sr. Following Roger's ascension, the change in ability was soon apparent as Floyd was able to dominate the overmatched Diego Corrales in a surprising blowout that few could have seen coming.
Freddy Roach and Manny Pacquiao's relationship together follows much of the same story. Roach took a raw talent and turned him into a champion. When Manny hit a brick wall in the form of Erik Morales, he transformed him once again into a more accurate and versatile fighter who currently sits atop the P4P rankings.
So both men have been well served by their trainers but it is hard to go against Freddy Roach in this case. Floyd Mayweather has always been carefully prepared for fights, but Freddy Roach is in a league of his own right now when it comes to his fellow trainers, and I do not know many who would argue that. His career will eventually challenge that of Emmanuel Steward, Ray Arcel, and Angelo Dundee, and if one would want to argue that matter just look at what he has done in the past five years. No disrespect to Roger, but this is not even close. Manny will be as well prepared as he possibly can be when these two finally meet.
Winner: Pacquiao.
So now that we've sifted through several categories, it is time for who I believe will win if these two ever meet up in the ring. This one was not easy, and as I've stated in previous columns, it is sometimes quite hard to try to set aside your own personal feelings/biases, and make an objective choice. Let me start, by saying that Manny Pacquiao is one of the finest ambassadors one could ask for when it comes to this sport. He has been a gentleman both inside and outside the ring, a righteous man who knows his roots, and a pleasure to watch in the ring. Those words would be difficult to say about Floyd Mayweather.
So it pains me to say that I feel Floyd Mayweather is the better fighter at this pint. It's a simple choice to me when one look's at it objectively. Manny may be a monsoon of offense, but he also has problems with aggressive counter punchers as was the case when he fought Juan Manuel Marquez. Would you not say that Floyd's skills are even better than those of Marquez? If you said yes, then it becomes difficult to see how Manny will be able to overcome this obstacle. I think you would see Manny possibly sweep the first three or even four rounds, but as he has done in the past, Floyd will begin to exert himself as the rounds pass. If that happens, Manny will begin to wear down and weaken as he did against Erik Morales in their first meeting and by the time the fight is in the championship rounds, I think Manny will be fighting with nothing but sheer determination and that is not going to get him far against the likes of Money Mayweather. I expect an 11th or 12th round stoppage and once again Floyd Mayweather would be back atop his throne, as the best in the sport.
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