Key #2 for Floyd Mayweather Ring Generalship and Footwork
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
By Brandon Glass
Ring generalship another key factor to how this fight plays out for Mayweather. Recently, he’s been getting hit at a higher percentage more so than any other time in his career. Floyd’s goals stylistically, have usually been about keeping aggressive opponents in the middle of the ring. In four of his last five fights, two against the same opponent, he seems to have some issues doing so. Many think it’s a sign of his age. Mayweather declares it a response to fans ongoing criticism of how he defeats his opponents, by running.
Against Cotto and in the first Maidana fight, Mayweather claims that he was standing front and center for “the fans enjoyment”. Those fights led to closer scores on the scorecards and higher connect percentage against his opponents, something that is abnormal for the self-proclaimed TBE.
Against Guerrero, Canelo, and in the Maidana rematch; Floyd used his legs keeping both opponents in the middle of the ring (for the most part with Maidana) and dominating them both on the cards. In the Maidana rematch, Mayweather had success but couldn’t sustain keeping “El Chino” in the middle of the ring like we’re used to seeing. Maidana is not the caliber of opponent that fans would expect Mayweather to struggle with as he did in the early rounds of their first matchup. Or, he’s not caliber of opponent that shouldn’t have been even easier to dismantle the second go around.
Facing Pacquiao, the fighter who many believe holds the ability to knock him off of boxing’s mountaintop, it would be best for Mayweather to get up on the balls of his feet like it’s 2007 again. Pacquiao’s most dangerous asset is the punching power he displayed at 140 pounds and below. His hand speed is complimentary to this punching power and the angles that Pacquiao presents may poke holes in the patented shoulder roll technique Mayweather has mastered.
Even if not for fear of get caught with a clean shot, the work rate Pacquiao puts up is favorable to judges and public opinion; even when the punches don’t land cleanly. This is the most important reason why it would behoove Mayweather to avoid sitting on the ropes and shoulder rolling the impeding flurry of punches from the Filipino congressman. Its aggressive nature has a purely cosmetic benefit, irrespective of its efficiency.
Mayweather has to use great footwork and lateral movement to keep Pacquiao in the center of the ring and exploit the openings presented when Manny dashes in (or out). Pacquiao’s balance and defense have always been average at best; those calves, that power, and his athleticism allow him offensively what the average fighter can’t.
Footwork will help Floyd frustrate Pacquiao, avoid Pacquiao’s right hook (which is a punch that I believe will have significant weight in this fight), and have Manny in situations where he’s overextending his punches, leading to even easier counters for Floyd.
Key #2 for Manny Pacquiao Be Unpredictable
Photo by Naoki Fukada
By Lou Catalano
I’ve always felt that the only way to beat Floyd Mayweather was to give him a few different strategies to gameplan for. Mayweather generally takes a round or two to figure things out, and then starts using your best assets against you.
If Manny Pacquiao can give him several different looks, not unlike an NFL offense usual multiple formations, it will be way more difficult for “Money” to settle in and start rolling. Now, this is not very easy to do. Still, if Pac can start patiently, it might make for a boring start, but it could throw Floyd off a bit.
He’s certainly expecting Pacquiao to come out guns blazing. If he starts at a more measured pace, using his movement and angles, he may be able to win some rounds before finally jumping out of the gates.
This has always been an uphill fight for Pacquiao, who will be giving up size and reach advantages while taking on one of the best defensive fighters who has ever laced ’em up.
But Pacquiao is not just another fighter. He’s special, which is why this fight will shatter pay-per-view records and has casual fans and asshole news outlets talking about it even though they’re clueless.
Pacquiao needs to avoid the traps Mayweather will set, and to do that, he’ll have to confuse a man who’s rarely been befuddled. Hopefully he can do it, at least for awhile, simply so we can enjoy an entertaining bout instead of a 12-round snoozer.
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Header photo by Esther Lin
