Mind your money! Pac Man will floor the home favourite

This Saturday’s fight will, without a doubt, go down in history as one of the biggest of our time.

Two of the greatest boxers in recent history meet at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas to clash in this high stakes duel that has taken more than six years to negotiate and that could generate upto Sh36 billion.

Floyd Mayweather Jr, 38, the undefeated five-division world champion is clearly the favourite against eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao, 36. Most analysts have suggested that Mayweather will have the better of his opponent but I opt to make a case for the underdog.

I always like to support the underdog because they have much more to prove in such a duel. But beyond my sentimental inclinations towards Pacquiao, I believe that he actually can pull off a surprise due to his sheer spirit and technique.

Mayweather has taunted Pacquiao several times: In 2010, he called Pacquiao a “little young chump” and said, “once I stomp the midget, I’ll make that queeer make me a sushi roll and cook me some rice.” Despite apologising, he has maintained a very condescending attitude towards Pacquiao.

In December last year, when proposing the fight date, Mayweather saw it fit to remind the world that Pacquiao had lost to both Juan Manuel Marquez and Timothy Bradley and that he was not on his level. So for the sake of poetic justice, I really hope that Pacquiao wins this.

And he can. Neither of the two fighters has had such a duel before. They have never fought any opponents at this level with similar styles so it’s more than less unchartered territory. Fights between a southpaw and an orthodox fighter often have very interesting dynamics. Pacquiao has a very powerful straight left.

POWERFUL PUNCHES

In fact, I dare say he throws more powerful punches than Mayweather’s straight right. Since Mayweather is more accurate in his punches, Pacquiao needs to be careful as he often over commits with his straight left and that will leave him open for Mayweather’s right.

However, Mayweather should be worried of Pacquiao’s power jab, which he often throws right after his straight left. Pacquiao will unrelentingly time Mayweather’s head using feints so that he can unleash his quick, straight and powerful power jab, which he normally throws in with his weight as he lunges in.

Looking at most of fights with southpaws, Mayweather rarely properly lands his jabs as he uses it to set up his right hand. Pacquiao, on the other hand, throws his power jab when his opponent is slightly out of position; this is the card he needs to perfect and use on Mayweather.  Finally, Pacquiao is fast, always keeps moving and hitting.

The word that Mike Tyson has used to describe him is “Perpetual Motion”. Whereas Pacquiao is unrelenting and is rarely discouraged by misses, Mayweather is known for his passive stick and move style.

This means that for every one or two punches that Floyd will throw, Pacquiao will have thrown at least five (even if he misses a few). This will eventually get to him as was the case in Mayweather’s fight with Marcos Maidana in September 2013.

Mayweather had to resort to excessive clinching and moving just to neutralise Maidana’s relentless aggression. I doubt this will work against Pacquiao and especially with Kenny Bayless as the referee. Fortunately, even as I root for the underdog, I’m not alone. Boxing legend Mike Tyson has also predicted a Pacquiao victory.