Good people, you can take this to the bank: Pac Man will unpack Money Man!

What you need to know:

  • Filipino Congressman is a ‘forward ever, backward never’ fighter
  • The May 2 fight will be like no other.
  • Money was 38 in February and Pack Man will be 37 in December.
  • Both are multi-millionaires many times over, but the prize money will surely pump up their adrenaline tremendously.
  • I see a close, absorbing and at times explosive contest settled by a split decision.

It’s a small world. A local transit company has the name Floyd Mayweather emblazoned on its buses in big, bold and capital letters. It is possible that when Mayweather aka Money squares up with Filipino Senator Manny Pacquiao aka Pac Man next weekend the owners of the buses will know a mega boxing match will be on.

They could not have inscribed the American boxer’s name on their vehicles if they did not know him or admire his skills in the ring or braggadocio out of it. But it is highly unlikely that their multitudes of commuters will have an idea who Money or Manny is, much less that they are involved in the richest fight ever.

What I can tell you for certain is that when Pac Man fights, life on the 2,000 inhabited of the 7,107 islands that make up the Philippines, comes to a standstill. They say in the capital Manila that when Pac Man fights there is no crime for the duration of the bout because even pick pockets, pimps and assorted criminals take leave to watch.

But the May 2 fight will be like no other. Mayweather and Pacquiao do not like each other; the former is undefeated world champ over five different divisions; the latter has been world champ over eight different categories and, each believes he is the best in the world. This fight should have taken place when the two were younger.

Money was 38 in February and Pack Man will be 37 in December. If the two had fought five years ago, they would have been faster, sharper, and much more aggressive and adventurous than they are now. They have slowed down and will be much more calculating and cautious. But, hunger to win will still drive them.

BIGGER PURSE

Both are multi-millionaires many times over, but the prize money will surely pump up their adrenaline tremendously. They will split some US$200 million, with Mayweather taking home 60 per cent of that or US$120 million and Pacquiao US$80 million. A rematch, irrespective of outcome, is a certainty, with an even bigger purse.

So, who will win this mega fight in Las Vegas? They say in the land of the free and brave that attack sells tickets and packs the stadia, but defence wins the games. If this is true, then, Pacquiao is in trouble because Mayweather is, by popular repute, the master of defensive boxing.

But are Mayweather’s defences impenetrable? I believe an offensive and aggressive Pacquiao could penetrate Mayweather’s vaunted defences with a high activity rate, swift attacks, swifter counters and the swiftest power-packed punching from all angles and overwhelm the American.

Pac Man is a “forward ever, backward never” fighter who could force Money on the defensive and so the question is, will the American swiftly transition from defence to offence and with power punches hurt and force the Filipino into the unfamiliar territory of retreat?

That is, which boxer will make adjustments to his style quicker in the ring? Pack Man overwhelms his opponents with multiple power punches or flurries of combinations that seem to come from nowhere and everywhere. But an under pressure Money has often been the one who progressively turns the tables.

Who has the better ring craft, responses, awareness of enclosure and movement to duck and block, slip and check, sneak into position or out of range and attack or counter? Mayweather does all these, but he will not enjoy a monopoly. Pacquiao may attack and attack, but against Mayweather he will have to adjust to defend too.

So, which boxer is better placed to break the other’s rhythm, hurt him early and establish that crucial psychological advantage? I choose Pack Man. He peppers opponents, leaving them a bloody mess while Money is not known for Tyson-style brutality? Neither will be reckless in attack because that will be suicidal.

This tells me Pacquiao and Mayweather will fight cautiously from the outset and any opening seen will be exploited immediately. Each boxer will be looking for an early opportunity to hit the other hard and hurt him, but I also see each seeking to frustrate the other and deny him confidence and rhythm.

Either Money will wear Pac Man down and progressively take control of the fight or the Filipino will overwhelm him with flurries from nowhere and everywhere. I see a close, absorbing and at times explosive contest settled by a split decision. Money may not want to lose his unbeaten record; but Pac Man will unpack him.

Here’s why and how:

  • Pac Man has been beaten and knocked out flat, but Money has never been. If Pack Man attacks from the word go and hits Money hard and hurts him early, the American will be unchartered territory and vulnerable;
  • Mayweather says Pacquiao’s past defeats, especially the knock out by Marquez will haunt the Filipino in the ring, but beating an unbeaten boxer could be the best motivator for a challenger;
  • Patriotic sentiment will be high at a jam-packed MGM Grand Hotel and Pac Man will know that he has to take the crowd out of the contest early by frustrating Money and making it clear he is playing to win;
  • Pacquiao and Mayweather have fast hand speeds and pack power punches, but Pacquiao has the advantage of throwing multiple combinations or flurries from any and every angle possible; and
  • Pac Man has the better trainer in Frederick Steven Roach who was voted Trainer of the Year by the Boxing Writers Association of America in 2003, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 and 2013.