So now that he finally exited the stage, how should we categorize Pacquiao's style? His opponents would often complain of the difficulty of finding a fighter to spar against that can emulate Pacquiao's style. Does he define a weird unorthodox style/strategy of his own? I have yet to see another boxer throw those same punches in those same weird angles, all coming from a rather square stance (again, another textbook "mistake"), from a southpaw that is accustomed to move to HIS LEFT (another "WHYYY!?" on his style).
In his earlier days.. Manny was a very exciting, fast and strong volume puncher who got away with quite a few fundamental flaws. It's just you were so in awe of his speed and caution to the wind approach... that often times you did not even pay attention to his flaws. He blazed through experienced boxers like Ledwaba and Jorge Elicier Julio in short order. He gave Morales and Barrera all sorts of problems. But then when he came across JMM, you noticed his punch output decreased and he got countered more. ^ You started to realize that Manny did not really move his head when throwing his combination punches. He simply lunged forward with his head still and, got countered by JMM's right hand in all of their fights. It was the 4th fight in the 6th round that it all unraveled. Manny made the same mistake he had done against JMM constantly in their previous fights. Only this time... ... JMM was able to KO Manny with it. In devastating fashion. Right before the bell, as Manny was rushing in to finish JMM off. After that Manny was just not the same fighter. He became more careful and was not throwing caution to the wind as much. Yet he still was not really moving his head and being defensively responsible whenever he decided to throw his combinations. And even guys like Tim Bradley and Algieri were able to counter with right hands... though not in the same destructive manner in which JMM did. Finally Manny met up with Floyd May 2nd 2015. Once again Manny's punch output was decreased when he went up against a very effective counter puncher. On top of that Floyd utilized defensive science (lateral evasive footwork, punch-clinch tactics, distance control, not getting lured into risky exchanges, etc) to neutralize Manny's offensive strengths. Manny was smarter in this fight with Floyd.. He was not the same Manny who constantly rushed in throwing caution to the wind with punches in bunches. ^ Yet he did not really effectively stop Floyd from landing crisp pull counter rights or check left hooks on a consistent basis throughout the whole fight. I feel Floyd is just more fundamentally and technically versed in the "sweet science" of boxing than Manny. If you put both Manny and Floyd fighting in their early to mid 40's.. I would say Floyd would do a lot better so long as he stays defensively responsible and fights his fight with his opponents. Manny's style on the other hand seems to erode over time due to ring wear and age. That aggressive, all out throw caution to the wind approach only lasts you so long. Sooner or later your body catches up to you and what you have left is your boxing fundamentals.. or lack therof. I saw Manny's last fight with Tim Bradley. And though Manny knocked him down twice and won the fight... it just wasn't the same Manny we saw years past. It just felt like he was kinda going through the motions at some points and wanted to just win, make his $$ and retire. All in all though, Manny had a long and illustrative career where he won many in grand fashion... and lost a few... in grand fashion too. And despite his technical and fundamental flaws, for a time being in his earlier years was a very exciting fighter to witness in the ring.
Unique, unorthodox, and exciting fighter. He’s an aggressive boxer-puncher-attacker. Skilled fighter but not without technical flaws in his style (much like Ali), but that’s what makes him a special fighter. His style is something that just can’t be taught.
Swarmed boxer puncher in his earlier days. Aggressive boxer puncher counterpuncher. Difficult to put him in a box. One of the most unique fighters I’ve ever seen. A small 5’5 former flyweight dominating HOF WWs whilst weighing less than most LWs is still the most unbelievable thing to me. No one in the modern era has come close to it. Maybe Mike Tyson with the size advantage he gave up but his opponents were less than stellar in comparison. I mean if we hold other fighters to the same standard it’s just unfair. MAB, Morales are great fighters but would they have blazed through cotto, Margo and clottey like that? Lomachenko and tank Davis? Chocolatito could he have gone to WW and beat Thurman at 40? Donaire? How about JCC at MW?