How much of a factor do you think it will play? A lot of people on the Pac's side are fearing he wont get close enough to Floyd to land shots because of Floyd's height and reach advantage, but only Marquez really mastered keeping Pac at bay with his half, stutter steps. Hatton's footwork and foot speed on offense troubled Floyd a lot early in their encounter, Pac has mentioned Hatton as a way he is going to fight against Floyd.
Pac directly referenced the way Hatton pressured Floyd in an ESPN interview (when asked about how he would approach a Mayweather fight).
It will matter of course, but once Floyd times Manny's 1-1-2, Pac would have to be more crafty with his feints and how he creates angles while going in.
Pac's overall natural speed will be a shock to mayweather's system early, especially since he's been fighting cement footed fighters for a while. Maidana 2x, guerrero, canelo. Man those dudes are zombies compared to pac's movement. It will be very interesting how fast he can adjust to that and when he does will it be enough to contain pac. Mayweather can't afford to lose a lot of early rounds to pac like he did against maidana in the 1st fight because pac has incredible cardio and will get stronger as the fight goes on.
Yep, only thing I'll say is Pac mixes up his punches great these days, straight left to stomach then right rook , very strange punch combinations from weird angles. But he will be banking on that left a tonne.
Another great point, Pac will be coming in to the fight better prepared for Floyd's style than vice versa.. In theory.
When it comes to May 2nd, Bradley and Algieri were much better tune ups for Pac than Maidana * 2 and Canelo were tune ups for Floyd. Bradley is a bit of a counterpuncher with good technical skills; he's rather defensive. Algieri is quick, had a reach advantage and moved a lot on the ring. Manny faced two good opponents, as good as can be expected given who's out there. meanwhile, Canelo was a heavy footed, relatively slow fighter. Maidana was similar. Maidana was slightly a better tune up cause of his aggressive style and akward angles but Manny is so much faster. I believe Manny is more ready for this fight.
If the fights not rigged which I bealive it is Manny's foot speed should definitely trouble Mayweather Pacs biggest advantage vs anyone at 147 is foot speed
Someone else touched on this. Can't remember who. It may have been Max Kellerman... but he was saying the reason Floyd hasn't fought fighters who prepare him for Pacquiao may be because he didn't think he would ever fight him; however, Pac always thought he would eventually fight him and always had him on his mind the past 5 years which could be why Pac's recent opponents could be called "glorified sparring partners" for a fight w/ Floyd.
Man sad watching Pac vs Hatton then Pac vs Bradley 2 back to back, so much faster and explosive back then. Before anyone claims roids, he was just younger, he was much more explosive in Marquez 2 fight even before Diaz and ODLH. I honestly think now both Floyd and Pac can lose some fights at 147 to people other than each other just through youthfulness.
