Mark Braboy
Associate Editor
Ladies and gentlemen, Hell has frozen over and pigs are flying through the sky as we speak.
After years of delays and drama, the biggest fight in boxing history will finally take place on May 2, 2015. The undefeated WBA and WBC welterweight and light middleweight champion, Floyd Mayweather Jr. will fight the current WBO welterweight champion, Manny Paquiao.
Two of the greatest boxers of all time will fight an unprecedented war that will finally determine who is the best in the world.
Even though I am a fan of both fighters, here’s my prediction. Mayweather WILL win the fight on May 2nd in a unanimous decision. However he will not be coming out as unscathed as his previous bouts.
Although these two fighters are well past their prime, Mayweather being 38 and Paquiao at 36, this should be quite a spectacle. Perhaps not the same kind of spectacle we would have had five or six years ago, but that’s not important anymore. It’s a fight between two very different styles of boxing and this will be a difference maker.
Make no mistake that Mayweather is much more focused than ever before. He is not bragging as much as he normally does and lately, his training has been focused on power. He was seen in an interview with Stephen A. Smith cutting wood, an old school strength training method.
This will be the toughest challenge either fighter has had in a long time. In Mayweather’s case, it is his biggest challenge since Miguel Cotto, another fighter trained under Freddie Roach. Like the Cotto fight, Mayweather will be in serious danger, perhaps more so with Paquiao, of getting hurt very badly.
The two have similar hand speeds and are quick on their feet. However, Paquiao is still a more powerful fighter, despite his age, and can take punishment as well as he can deliver it. He’s more likely to take risks, unlike Mayweather, because in to him, Mayweather’s power is not a factor.
Mayweather’s X-factor that has been constant is his boxing IQ. He is skilled enough to outbox his opponents. As much of a threat as Paquiao is, I seriously doubt that he can outbox and outthink Mayweather. Unless Paquiao somehow thrashes him in the later rounds.
I also expect Mayweather to be slightly more aggressive than before, but it is going to be all about his defense throughout all twelve rounds. His supreme defense, quick decision making, speed, and counter punching will make a difference.
Paquiao’s legs are in question right now as well. Throughout the past few years he has been fighting leg cramps and according to reports, it has been getting worse. Even though it’s being treated, if Paquiao does not have his legs then it is over for him. There have been plenty of cases where Mayweather has easily picked apart fighters with limited mobility.
I expect the fight to be a bit slow starting off but become more aggressive in the later rounds. Mayweather can win as long as he does not get caught like he has in his last few fights.
If I were a gambling man, I would bet my last dollar on Mayweather winning by unanimous decision. I doubt he will win every round, but he will leave the MGM Grand as the undisputed best boxer in the world and perhaps the best of all time. You heard it here first.
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