It could go either way. But just looking at Floyds other fights, I have a feeling Floyd will not throw enough and lose on points. This is what it looked like was going to happen against DLD but Hoya just faded in the last few rounds handing MoneyMay the win. Against Hatton he started slow and went through a lot of close rounds before getting on top in Rnd 7 . Similar with Judah. Floyd seems to like to take his time to get into the fight, I think he will be waiting for a chance that never comes.
The first 5 rounds will be crucial, whoever wins most of the rounds 1-5 will have the advantage. I know Floyd is like Hopkins who is a slow starter, coz he first gives away early rounds to adapt to his opponent style. But Pac is a kind of a monster fighter that will not give you time to adapt to his style, This mofo will blast you early (like Hatton)if you give him a chance.
Boxing skills will win because it hard to get off those combinations if your opponent is always on the defensive. Floyd will control the real estate of the fight as well, with his jab, his longer reach will pay dividends. But Floyd would have to fight Manny the same way he fought Marquez, behind his jab, but he has to be less frugal with the right hand because he has to keep Manny honest. I think Manny has his moments early, but Floyd is the ultimate rhythm fighter and controls the pace, exactly why he can potshot his way to victories. He also has to move a lot early and frustrate Manny by having him chase him, and then come on the offensive. Or he can walk Manny down like he did Judah around the 8th round, behind the high guard, but he will have be smart employing that tactic. I think after the 6th Floyd cruises to an 11th round stoppage of Manny.
When you have guys like Mayweather and Pac first five rounds mean jack**** if a KO doesn't occur of course. These are guys that can adapt even in the 10th if needed, the full 12 or a stoppage should give an answer. Early rounds or whatever mean nothing, Mayweather looked like he MIGHT lose first 3 rounds against Judah, what happened then?. First 2 rounds Pac looked like he might lose against Marquez, what happened then?. With these kind of guys it takes the entire fight to know. We're not talking about tomato cans like Margarito, Chavez Jr. or Pavlik here, these are guys that can adapt to whatever the **** they NEED to adapt to and do it successfully keeping their opponents confused. They're NOT one dimensional for the first few rounds to answer anything unless a KO occurs of course.
I think Mayweather will stop Pacquiao in the later rounds, but Pacquiao might have an adavantage in the early rounds while Mayweather tries to adjust. If Pac wins I think it would be between rounds 6 or 7 in a knockout. I don't feel though he'll be able to keep up with Mayweather in the later rounds once Mayweather figures out his style and controls the pace of the fight.
Fast and power punches will be the factor of this fight, rolling shoulder of floyd won't work..Pac will adapt his good footwork and unleash the K.O punch..Floyd will be knock out cold by left shovel upper cut of PAC..
Mayweather need to watch out for Manny's left especially with a flury of combinations or else it would be over!:!:
This is Duran vs Leonard I. Many similarities here including the move from lightweight welterweight to fight an undefeated slick former olympian and lineal champion. "Money May" at 147 will be a problem for Manny. Floyd is too comfortable, too big and too fast at this weight. I would have favored Manny at a catchweight of say 144. The pattern has been that Mannys people makes heavier fighters come down to the weight of his choosing , enough so they have to starve/weaken themselves to make the weight. Hatton from 147 to 140, Cotto from 147 to 145, DLH from 160 to 147. I just can't shake the impression left from MoneyMay vs Marquez in which Floyd was able to use his weight, reach, size and speed too comfortably especially after the fight took place even after he didn't make the contracted catch weight.