Manny Pacquiao vs Henry Armstrong (140lbs Jr Welterweight)

Armstrong held his own (& some say beat) A MWT, Ceferino Garcia I believe.... I dont see Manny lasting with him at a decent weight for Henry which 140 likely would be.

Armstrong TKO12 Pacquiao (possibly a decision win for Hank depending on how Pac approaches the fight)

 

Armstong. Certainly durable enough to take Pac's best, and he would crowd Pac with his A level activity and punch volume and stop him being able to box consistenly off the back foot.

 

Pacquaio UD. Manny does fantastic against fighters who come to him and give him opportunities to get his shots off, which Armstrong would. Armstrong has a good defense but would still get him with wis come forward style. Manny has advantages in reach and height. WOuld Armstrong be 1 of the biggest punchers Armstrong faced? I certainly think so.

I don't see too many advantages for Armstrong here, he has a frantic workrate but Pacquaio is 1 of the best conditioned fighters ever himself and a high workrate may well play into Pacquaio's hands.

 

I feel Armstrong is just more proven at the weight and I think he has the stamina and effective pressure to bother Manny. So I'll go with Armstrong in a UD.

In a 12 round fight, I actually lean toward Pacquaio.

 

Im not all that convinced that Manny can handle the kind of pressure Armstrong would bring. I think it would take him way out of his comfort zone and I think he lacks the overall skillset to deal with this.

Armstrong wont try to battle the faster man from the outside..He never cared much for shootouts. He would slip his way inside and get this fight into phonebooth dimensions. Manny really has never displayed a well developed inside game IMO and I truly feel if Hank can impose himself on Manny he will grind out a pretty comprehensive decision.

Its a great fight..Manny's sheer speed and improving skills are going to make him a hard fight for anyone in history.

 

Pac has shown how strong and powerful he is at these weights, as well as a now blossoming discipline to go with his (un)natural speed.

But I feel Hank, who was fast at closing the gap and as punishing a fighter as I have ever seen on film would demolish Pac when he gets in close, his subtle head movements possibly negating any chance of Pac landing a wonder shot on him.

I'm still concerned about Manny's durability at this weight. At 130 Marquez had him stumbling round a couple of times (only briefly, you cannot discount Manny's toughness and ability to trade to fend off pressure) but with Armstrong he's got a man that's got A) high levels of durability B) An engine as good as his, Armstrong was a machine after hours of warming up his heart supposedly C) someone who is going to try to be in his face for 12/15 but who is also capable at mid-range.

I say Hank's rushes stunt Manny's workrate. This is not Ricky Hatton.

Armstrong late stoppage, Manny getting punched in the mouth, ribs, temple, top of the chest, arms, anywhere and everywhere but still trying to get back to centre ring and having sporadic success with flurries, is rescued by Freddie Roach.

Of course Manny might wilt like a reed in the wind when someone eventually hits him :good hope not though

 

I think the non-stop pressure that someone like Armstrong brings is ideal for off-setting Pacquiao's forward speed. He's not as effective being backed up, because he isn't able to build up the power on his barrages when he can't get momentum. Against a guy like Armstrong or Chavez, I see him being rendered ineffective at times because of this and out-done on the inside. By the later rounds, I believe the constant body attack would wear him down and make him ripe for the picking against these types. Armstrong TKO12 Pacquiao. Similar with Chavez.

 

One thing I forgot to mention is that you need very credible durability to hang with Pacquiao, which Armstrong and Chavez both had in spades. I don't think that would be an issue here.