By Patrick R. Anderson
It's billed as the fight of the century.
Floyd "Money" Mayweather from Grand Rapids, Michigan, against Manny Pacquaio of the Phillipines in fight capital Las Vegas in Nevada, USA.
It's a fight boxing fans have been clamouring for for the past five years, as these two boxers pack nothing but excitement and a promoter's dream.
But let's look at the fight. It's a welterweight contest, meaning the weight limit is maximum 147 pounds. Mayweather looked razor sharp when tipping the scales at 146 pounds, while Pacquaio weighed in at 145 pounds.
Pacquaio has put on an astonishing 39 pounds since making his professional debut in 1995, twenty years ago . What this means to this writer, is that this is not his natural fighting weight. I believe Pacquaio would still be a world class Featherweight boxer (limit 126 pounds), or a light welterweight (142 pounds). But as you age in boxing at these light to mid range divisions, it becomes increasingly harder to keep the weight down.
Therein lies the problematic for Pacquiao who is meeting a naturally bigger and stronger man in Mayweather, who is a classic boxer. Pacquaio is the power puncher, but how will it impact the bigger and stronger Mayweather?
"It's not the first time I am fighting a bigger guy," Pacquaio said. " It doesn't matter to me. I will be ready Saturday night."
Mayweather said; " It doesn't matter what is said. I can fight when all is said and done."
At 38, Mayweather obviously is not the boxer he was at 33 when this fight should have taken place. But neither is Pacquiao who is 36. Mayweather is undefeated at 47-0 with 26 knockouts, while Pacquaio has 57 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws with 38 knockouts. That's a lot of combustion between the fighters - 64 knockouts.
The boxers have met six common opponents, and after the fights, the opponents are very beaten up after meeting Pacquaio and seem unscathed against Mayweather.
That is something to lookout for tonight. How much Pacquaio can hurt Mayweather, and how quickly Mayweather understands he needs to stay out of Pacquaio's range.
Once Mayweather stays on the outside, and fight Pacquaio like Sugar Ray Leonard did Marvelous Marvin Hagler, then it should be a lopsided unanimous win for Floyd "Money' Mayweather.
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