Ali. Fraiser. Foreman. Tyson. Leonard. Berg.
All these names are legendary boxers that are now in the World Boxing Hall of Fame. These men had historic fights that were remembered for generations to come while also having impeccable overall win/loss record.
This Saturday two names that will be added to that list will throw down for 12 rounds in a fight that has been demanded by the people for years now.
The Floyd Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) versus Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2,38 KOs) fight is dubbed “The Fight of the Century” according to CBSsports.com and has broken records including the most recent accolade.
The fight generated a $13.2 million in sponsorships which adds to the tally of records broken pre-fight.
Pacquiao is the underdog coming into the MGM Garden Grand Arena against Mayweather but is expected to go the distance by going all 12 rounds.
Pacquiao knows he is the underdog and he will use it to his advantage this Saturday and upset the current World Boxing Organization champ.
Pacquiao knows the significance of this fight as the winner will not only walk away with championships, but will be viewed the greatest boxer of this generation.
The Filipino southpaw has disadvantage in reach against Mayweather, which means Pacquiao will need to depend on his timing with he throws his power punches. He will have to keep Mayweather on his toes which is not easy to do.
Pacquiao will need to keep constant pressure on Mayweather and keep him uncomfortable, because of Mayweather’s style of boxing is very efficient compared to Pacquiao’s aggressive style.
Mayweather is a master manager in consereving energy in a fight. He knows when to back off and when to attack which is on the complete opposite of Pacquiao’s fighting style.
The bright side is Pacquiao is excellent in creating punches at tough angles with his feints which is good because of Mayweather’s “shoulder roll” defensive stance.
That will be difficult to execute, however, as Mayweather does not commit to exchanging blows that often and will depend on the counterpunch to defeat Pacquiao like what Juan Manuel Marquez did at Pacquiao’s last defeat in 2012.
Mayweather’s speed in his first punch and footwork pose the biggest threat to Pacquiao but can be beaten. Pacquiao must close the distance quickly in this fight and attack Mayweather so that it will not allow him to get into his defensive groove.
Pacquiao’s combinations are faster then Mayweather’s so that gives Pacquiao an edge if he traps Mayweather in the corners; which is most likely what Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach will want from him.
Pacquiao will look to finish the fight as quickly as possible and keep the fight from going to the scorecard.
Millions will be watching on Saturday as this generation’s “Ali-Fraizer” match will be an instant classic.
Final verdict: Pacquiao wins by TKO in the eleventh round.
Update: May 4, 12:39 p.m., In the story, Fraizer’s name was spelled incorrectly. It has been fixed.
