Alexis Arguello vs Manny Pacquiao @135

I can't help but think Arguello stops him. Arguello could outbox him, and coming straight at Arguello like Pac does is a bad idea.

Pac is obviously faster and will land punches, but Arguello was extraordinarily accurate. And he punched extraordinarily hard.

 

Leaning towards Arguello. Too accurate.

 

Arguello, after a tough start and having to adjust to Pacquiao's speed, and southpaw stance. But once Arguello adjusts he would take over the fight behind that stinging jab, laser like lead right hands, and body punching. Arguello would have a full 5 inch height and reach advantages, that would offset some of Pacs speed advantage. Arguello would be leading the fight by the 8th or 9thrd stop Pac within 12rds.

 

15 rds people. OH. ARE ALL THE 15 RD POSTERS GONE AND DYING LIKE THE FIGHTERS? It has been 36 yrs.

 

15 rounds?

 

Arguello...I base all my championship fights over 15. I've said it too many times to count. AA stops him befor then anyway.

 

I know it's dangerous to imagine historical fights as a template for hypothetical ones, but I've often thought that Arguello-Ganigan might be instructive in summing up how Arguello-Pacquiao might have gone down.

Ganigan, while not having the same all-round class as Pacquiao, was a similarly heavy-handed southpaw puncher with excellent speed. Alexis could be a touch vulnerable to speedsters early in bouts; just as Ganigan was beating him to the punch and able to emply in-and-out ambushes with his left, I'd likewise expect Pacquiao to cause Alexis problems and take the first few rounds.

But Arguello was a brilliant adapter (a touch of the Marquez about him in that respect) and just as JMM cracked Manny's code, I see Arguello eventually doing the same. Once he realised he couldn't wait on Ganigan, Alexis got more on the front foot and starting bringing in that uppercut beautifully, the perfect punch against a shorter, in-and-out style like Ganigan's. I think Alexis has too much reach (which he knew how to use) and punching power to allow Pacquiao to maintain the early forward momentum - eventually I see Pacquiao being forced back and having to resort to leaping in, where Alexis has some seriously heavy artillery awaiting him.

I think Manny builds up a little lead early, but Alexis comes back at him too strongly and forces a stoppage, or perhaps even puts him down for the ten count, around the eighth or ninth. But true to form and in line with what a great fighter he's been, Pacquiao would take a lot of beating and would come out with his head held high. Just feel Arguello's durability, power, straight punching accuracy and strength are too much for him.

 

I don't see Arguello out punching and outfighting Paq...it is a good fight but the power and speed Pryor brought granted Arguello was at the end of his career is nothing compared to what Paq can do to him....if Paq can land he can machine gun in hard fast accurate punching at a pace a speed that would hurt Arguello...unless he lands a Marquez picture perfect fight ender which he could but lets remember this happened once period

 

Pac would back straight out too often. ETM would take advantage. His fists were laser guided.

 

Love Arguello, but surprised to see him so favored here. I think Manny's speed, volume, movement, and angles are all wrong for Arguello. Arguello would have to one shot Manny in a trap like Marquez did, because I don't see how Arguello wins a decision.

 

I am going to be The outlier and pick Pac. I think his foot and hand speed would create enough to separate them and score a narrow win. I appreciate both guys but I am not personally a fan of either one, but perhaps enjoy Arguello slightly more. I just think Pac would be a bad style for him...but I wouldn’t bet a dime on or against either one of them

Edit: oooppppssss I see I wasn’t the first to pick him

 

Agreed, I can see Manny jumping in like he does run into a smokin right hand and gets dropped, and in a 15 rounder he won't last. The first Manny and Morales fight only worse.

 

I love Arguello but Paq may be way too fast. Very interesting fight.

 

We all know Arguello had problems with speed, which Manny has in spades... It could be a problem for Alexis.