After all the hype, marketing and trash talk, everyone is hoping for a good fight this weekend.
Boxing fans and casual consumers of popular culture are willing to dish out a $100 for #MayPac because they dream of an explosive fight. They want "The War" - a modern day reenactment of Marvelous Marvin Hagler vs Tommy Hearns, maybe the most exciting clash of all-time greats in the past 50 years.
Not so deep down, many are worried that this weekend will be the biggest let down since Geraldo Rivera uncovered absolutely nothing when he opened the mysterious vaults of Al Capone. On that night, 30 million people tuned in to watch Rivera open Capone’s vault to find nothing more than dust and decay.
Here are three reasons why those who tune into Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Manny Pacquiao will be seeing a lot more than what Rivera's watchers got.
1) Fast Feet
Leading up to the fight, many have been focusing on whether or not Mayweather still has the legs to move around for 12 rounds. If he does, most think Mayweather will easily out maneuver Manny Pacquiao on to a decisive decision victory. And while that might be true, let's be honest, most people don't want to see another display of Mayweather's virtuoso ring generalship and defensive movement.
"Manny Pacquiao is a storm." - Jim Lampley
The legs that are most likely to make this fight worth your time and money belong to Manny Pacquiao. Genetics, a higher power and extreme work ethic have all combined to give Pacquiao's legs a springiness that comes along once in a generation. Against every single one of his opponents, Pacquiao has shown that his foot movement, his ability to dart in and out of the fray like a steel ball in a pinball machine could not be contained.
Pacquiao will reach Mayweather. Of that I have no doubt. Whether or not Mayweather can adapt, whether he can avoid Pacquiao's punches even within range or if he can make Pacquiao respect his power are all up for debate. But this isn't Arturo Gatti coming into the ring, fighting Mayweather like he'd been dipped in tar before the fight. There's no slovenliness in Pacquiao's game. Pacquiao's legs will carry him from one point to the next in the ring with lethal deftness. He'll be as fresh, energetic, and motivated as he's ever been in his life. This isn't a Carlos Baldomir who couldn't find Mayweather or a Marcos Maidana who got so close he stuffed his own punches, stifling any real punching power. One way or the other, Pacquiao will get into a better offensive range than any of Mayweather's past opponents. That alone gurantees drama.
2) Flaws Equal Fisticuffs
In an age of Attention Deficient Disorder and soundbites replacing actual news reporting, it isn't surprising that many consider perfect defensive boxing boring. A prime example: Cuban standout, Guillermo Rigondeaux, boxed a near shutout against former long-time pound-for-pound perennial Nonito Donaire in their 2013 matchup, and was booed for his efforts.
Rigondeaux put on one of the most impressive defensive feats against one of the most celebrated action fighters in quite some time, and he made it look easy. HBO repaid him by essentially boycotting his expertise. Why? Becuase perfection slows things down. When you can time an opponent so well that you can anticipate when and how a punch will move, a defensive wizard can drain an event of drama because his foreisght make his victory look scripted.
The more flaws in a fighter's game, the greater drama that is likely to unfold because with each punch a fighter teeters on the edge of oblivian -- opening themselves up to a perfect counter, a reminder that all chins can be broken, all offensive fires put out. On Saturday, Pacquiao will bring a tremendous amount of offensive force and with each volley Mayweather will be looking for the gaps to exploit.
Mayweather's search for defensive perfection won't be getting in the way of entertainment on Saturday because he'll be facing in Pacquiao, a man with the footwork to position himself better and faster than any previous opponent. Pacquiao's flaws will come at a range where he will either exposes Mayweather's weaknesses or Mayweather will exact a toll on Pacquiao's flaws. In either case, you will be entertained.
3) A Warrior’s Heart
Manny Pacquiao loves to fight. You can see it in countless interviews and in-ring performances. Perhaps that love, coupled with pride in country and self has given Pacquiao his steely resolve. Whatever it is, throughout his career, Pacquiao has never shied away from danger, nor has he been known to take a step backward in a fight. Even against much bigger men like Antonio Margarito, Pacquiao has stepped into thunderous blows and asked for more. Mayweather's power may be underrated, but can he possibly hurt Pacquiao more than Margarito? And even if he can, does anyone really think that will force Pacquiao on to his bicycle?
Pacquiao's heart and resolve will keep him moving forward throughout the fight, regardless of the score cards. The Juan Manuel Marquez knockout no more changed Pacquiao's outlook than did the two previous knockouts that he suffered as a young man. Pacquiao will not retreat to save himself.
Mayweather has often said that knockouts don't come because fighters are not willing to engage once they know they can't beat him. You can be sure that this won't be the case with Pacquiao. If he's down on the score cards Pacquiao won't shift into survival mode because he thinks it's better to lose by decision than by knockout. For as long as Pacquiao has breath he'll be coming at Mayweather. That relentless guarantees that Saturday won't be just another Mayweather fight.
