Pacquiao and the Jab

A lot has been made of Pac getting caught by Cotto's jab again and again in their fight. "If Cotto can outbox him with movement and a jab, just imagine what Floyd will do," is the common statement. While I think this viewpoint certainly has credence, I also stumbled across an interesting video of Pac developing a method of dealing with the jab:

[ame]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ui-7QZLuDD0[/ame]

Probably been posted before, but it shows Pac trying to time Cotto's jab and come in while he's in the midst of throwing it -- it's something Bruce Lee called the 'stop hit', as you attack in the middle of the other guy's own attack (Floyd did this to Hatton with the 'check hook' moment) rather than it being a classical counter, which comes after an incoming blow. Quite interesting to see, and definitely something I never caught when I saw the fight -- it has to be slowed down, as in the clip, to really see it happening.

I also believe that Cotto has one of the best jabs in boxing at the moment, and I've always wondered why he doesn't use it more.

 

Not only that, Pacquiao countered some of his jabs with right hooks, which set up the first knockdown actually.

Pacquiao has very underrated boxing skills. The stuff he does offensively is a work of art.

I agree with this too.

 

He doesn't use as much since his split from his trainer. He kept Mosley fair with a jab.

 

Good point about the right-hook, I've enjoyed seeing him use that more and more with recent fights. That first time he dropped Hatton with the right-hook counter was beautiful.

 

I don't understand how people say Pac has no skills, you don't get #1 p4p with no skills.

 

There's quotes kicking about from Freddie Roach from before the fight where he says something along the lines of him noticing Cotto does something to make it obvious he was going to throw a punch, I can't remember what exactly but I'll try and find it.

 

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Jab.

 

Pacquiao couldn't knock down Clottey with 1000+ punches. :deal

 

Such are subtle skills that floyd "boxing" fans fail to notice, and chalk it up to peds.

 

Yep.

Cotto's jab is the ****.

 

Lovely analysis!!.

 

Anyone who says Pacquiao has no skills doesn't know boxing. Boxing isn't all about defense. Offense is an art in itself. The things Pacquiao does on offense - the feints, footwork, combinations - are a thing of a beauty. I haven't seen anything on that level since a prime Roy Jones.

 

Wasn't that Hatton and the way he cocks his hand just before he throws?

 

I had to rewatch the fight a 2nd time to notice that was the reason why Cotto began to jab less and get frustrated into a brawl.

 

He was talking about Cotto cocking his left hook before he throws it. Hatton does the same thing.