Pacquiao vs Mayweather

[th38larg]

I agree with the crowd that each fighter's best years are behind them. If a fight would have occurred a bit earlier, I would have called it a coin toss. Two great athletes with such clashing styles would have made for an unpredictable outcome.

However, if they fought this weekend I would list Mayweather as the favorite with little hesitation. Aging has affected both fighters, but its been worse for Pacquiao. I think that's just natural for a volume puncher like him. He's also lost some of the stopping power he used to have.

Mayweather is so technical on defense and effective with counter-punching that it's hard to look really good against him. And he always seems to understand exactly what he needs to do to win the later rounds. I see Mayweather getting a close decision over Pacquiao.

[Writehooks]

I agree with Adam. It will come down to Pac Man's speed and volume punching being too much for Mayweather's counters. I live and work in China and visited Pac's training camp in General Santos City prior to covering his two bouts in Macao. He routinely spars with bigger, stronger guys and has no problem adapting his angles to offset superior power. IMO, Mayweather's slickness will be offset by Manny's relentless agression inside, resulting in the bigger man becoming frustrated to the point where he'll make the mistake of trying to go toe-to-toe. Pac Man's bigger heart wins the day via late-round stoppage.

[wondo]

As a 40 year boxing fan, but a neophyte in the actual art, I would like to see Pacquiao win. To me boxing is about hurting the other guy. Marciano, Norton, Hagler - they won on inflicting damage. Mayweather, as great as he is (and he is one of the greatest), wins by outboxing his opponent. Many boxing fans love his technical ability. A classic dichotomy - bloodsport vs. technical merit. I kinda like bloodsport.

[th38larg]

We're getting closer, inch-by-inch. Mayweather and Pacquiao met and exchanged contact info during halftime of a recent NBA game. It's seeming like there is a possibility this is going to go down for real. Pacquiao has formally agreed to all of the demands from the Mayweather camp...now it is all on Floyd.

http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id...iami-heat-game