This potentially being Pacquiao's biggest fight of his career, could he turn back the clock to a prime version of himself? Are there any other instances where a fighter on the tail end of his career has risen to the occasion even when the body isn't there?
there are no indicators to suggest Manny is more declined than floyd. But to answer your turn back time thread. They happen, but more when facing a fighter that suits your style. Put Manny in against Rios and he'll "turn back time" But not against floyd he won't. Mosley turned back time against Margo. But you put him in the ring with a boxer, and he'd have lost.
There is indication of him sliding,his last 3 fights.. Against Tim he was gassed towards the end,he does not have that killer instinct and stamina he did in 09,10..
The good news is if Pac does fight all his fans will say he is NOT on the slide so Floyd will get credit.. Now if Manny looks bad,it will be said he was on the slide etc..
I doubt it as it comes with age. Some boxer could be done at 25, 30, 35, but once you're past 30 your body just start to break down.
Not sure about that and it doesn't matter if Pac is younger, he has more wear on his body. And if they both declined, then that favors Floyd. Floyd doesn't need his body to be in top condition since he has more skills than Pac to fall back on. For Pac to win he needs to be as explosive and ruthless as possible which is not really seeming to happen as much anymore. Anyways, fight wont happen until its mostly irrelevant.
This. JMM has many of the same qualities Floyd has, but Floyd's bigger and better in most of those categories. Stylistically, Floyd's a nightmare match-up for Pac
Floyd would've beaten Pac at any time. Pac never had more than a puncher's chance and that became very apparent after his last two fights.