We cover a wide range of combat sports topics in this week’s episode. From a $22 million settlement awarded to a debilitated boxer and his family to Jon Jones getting stripped of his belt again for a positive steroid test, Tom, Tony and Rich discuss it all. We also make our predictions for Canelo Alvarez vs. Gennady Golovkin. We recap Stefan Struve’s TKO loss to Alexander Volkov and preview UFC’s upcoming fight night event as well. We even spend some time discussing all the MMA fighters making the move to boxing.
Tag Archives: Hasashen
UFC 209: Woodley vs. Wonderboy and Khabib vs. Ferguson Preview and Prediction
Da: Arziki Bergeron
UFC 209 is fast approaching with two dynamic fights headlining the card, including a highly anticipated rematch closing the show. Fans are itching for a solid fight card to watch after multiple disappointing Pay-Per-View events left them wanting more in recent months. This is a card that could definitely deliver the action-packed, adrenaline-filled spectacle fans have come to expect for the price of admission. Here are my previews and predictions for the two blockbuster fights at the top of the bill.
Stephen Thompson (13-1-1) gets another crack at the welterweight title against Tyron Woodley (16-3-1) a babban taron. Even the odds makers (Check out the M88 sportsbook for more betting info) have a tough time predicting how this highly charged rematch will go. Woodley comes in as the slight underdog at +110 to Thompson’s -140.
Har yanzu, the Champion came close to finishing the first fight in the fourth round. Rather than continue with his powerful ground and pound approach against the in-trouble Thompson, Woodley switched to a failed choke attempt instead. Thompson was able to weather the storm and eke out the draw, but he also won three out of the five rounds on the scorecard. The experts who set the betting lines are obviously conscious of this and factoring it into their calculations.
Can Woodley put himself in position to get the knockout win this time or will Thompson make the right adjustments to win every round this time?
Hasashen: Stephen Thompson made one glaring mistake in the first fight that led to Woodley having a huge chance to win by knockout. Woodley picked his spots and made the fight competitive, but with both fighters knowing so much about each other now he may not be able to repeat or improve upon his performance in the first fight. A halin yanzu, Thompson is a skilled tactician, and he will focus on cage control this time around. He will use distance striking, superb defense, and constant movement to keep Woodley from doing any major damage this time around. Woodley of course has a chance to quiet all his doubters with one punch, but Thompson is the type of fighter who may not give the champ a chance to land that shot.
THOMPSON WINS BY UNANIMOUS DECISION
The co-main event will set the stage for Conor MacGregor’s return to the UFC cage. The Irish superstar will eventually face the winner of UFC 209’s co-main event: Khabib Nurmagomedov (24-0) vs. Tony Ferguson (22-3). This fight could potentially upstage the main event, despite the fact that Khabib is a -205 favorite to Ferguson’s +165 odds to win. Both fighters have enough momentum going for them to earn a title shot without fighting each other, but that doesn’t make this bout any less exciting on paper. Ferguson is 12-1 in the UFC with his only loss coming against Khabib’s last opponent: Michael Johnson. Ferguson lost to Johnson in 2012 by unanimous decision while Khabib submitted Johnson via Kimura in the third round of their UFC 205 clash last November.
Both fighters have equally imposing strengths. Khabib smothers many of his opponents with crisp wrestling skills to match his more than capable striking and submission ability. Sambo and judo are also staples of Nurmagomedov’s intense approach to cage fighting. He is so well rounded that he has an equal number (8) of submission, decision and T/KO wins, and all of his decision wins are unanimous.
Ferguson is on a nine-fight win streak. He is more of a volume striker, and he used excellent boxing to impose his will on the opponents he’s dominated so far. He is also well rounded like Nurmagomedov and can use that superb striking to secure submissions on stunned opponents. Yana da 8 submissions to go with 9 T/KOs and five decisions.
PREDICTION: Ferguson may be on a tremendous run right now, but Khabib’s absolutely dominated every opponent he ever faced in his MMA career. McGregor may actually be rooting for a tie in this fight so he can have some extra time to negotiate a boxing match with Floyd Mayweather, Jr. while these two contenders are setting up an inevitable rematch. Duk da haka, ties are rare enough in the UFC that one here is far fetched to imagine. It’s much more likely that this fight ends up with one fighter on the canvas, out cold or too dazed to continue. All signs point to that fighter being Ferguson, leaving MacGregor with the prospect of having to prove his mettle by beating a man nobody’s been able to beat before. I mana, anything can happen in that cage and anyone can have a bad night at the office, but perfection is hard to argue with.
NURMAGOMEDOV BY 2nd Round TKO
Cotto vs. Alvarez ** A-Zurfin Preview da Analysis **
By Tony Penecale
Akwai rivalries da suke almara cikin tarihi. A Hatfields da da McCoys, A Capulets da da Montagues da kuma The New York Yankees, kuma da Boston Red Sox duk m rivalries. Ana iya jãyayya da cewa mafi m ne dogon tsaye dambe kishi tsakanin Puerto Rican mayakan da su Mexico takwarorinsu. Babi na gaba matches da kwarewa da kuma nauyi hannun Puerto Rican icon Miguel Cotto kan matasa da kuma ikon Mexico injin dinamo Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Kuma idan sun haɗu a ranar Asabar da dare, biyu mayakan za a ɗauke da girman kai da suka shiga cikin kasar zobe, kuma a cikin Mantra na Spartan warriors, za su fita daga yaƙi da garkuwa, ko a kai. Wanda za a dauke da garkuwa a karshen su gamuwa da kuma wanda za a za'ayi a kan?
Age, Rikodin, DA Stats
Dafa: Age: 35 shekara
Record: 40-4 (33 Knockouts)
Height: 5'7 "
Weight: 153 * * Weight ga karshe fadan (6-6-15)
Kai: 67"
Alvarez: Age: 25 shekara
Record: 45-1-1 (32 Knockouts)
Height: 5'9 "
Weight: 154 * * Weight ga karshe fadan (5-9-15)
Kai: 70"
Zobe aikata na aikin
Dafa:
WBO Junior Welterweight Champion ('04 -'06)
WBA Welterweight Champion ('06 -'08)
WBO Welterweight Champion ('09)
WBA Junior Middleweight Champion ('10 -'12)
WBC Middleweight Champion ('14 -Pres)
Alvarez:
WBC Junior Middleweight Champion ('11 -'13)
WBA Junior Middleweight Champion ('13)
Style
Dafa:
A zahiri stalker wanda kwalaye daga ai da ra'ayi, Cotto ya ɓullo da mafi alhẽri dambe basira amma har yanzu fi son su zo miƙe, da kuma ci abokan adawar saukar da wani mugun jiki hari. Cotto ni'ima hooks da uppercuts zuwa mike punches, kuma ya jũya kowane fadan cikin wani yaki na attrition. Ba shi da hasken wuta-fito punching ikon amma sosai uƙũba. Mafi yawansu ya dakatar cin nasarar yaki sun zo marigayi, bayan abokin gaba da aka sawa saukar. Za sau da yawa bar kansa bude ga counters a lõkacin da kokarin saki gagarumin ya zargi.
Alvarez:
An m, jiki jirgin saman soja da underrated dambe basira da kuma quickness, Alvarez sau da yawa sa abokan adawar saukar da m matsa lamba da nauyi-mika punches. Zai yi amfani feints da counters jefa ne abokan adawar lokaci kashe da kuma haifar da takware ga wani ƙarfi-sapping jiki hari. Daukawa yãƙi-canza iko a hannayensa biyu amma wani lokacin ba ya jefa isa punches. Alhãli kuwa shĩ, mafi san shi da m basira, Alvarez da kyau, amma ba mai girma, tsaron gida basira slipping da tarewa punches.
Karfi
Dafa:
* Jiki Attack - Cotto ne quite yiwu mafi kyau jiki puncher a cikin wasanni yau. Ya fuka-fuki thunderous hooks a ciki cewa yin lamba tare da abin da ke samuwa: hakarkarinsa, kafadu, jiki, kirji, da kuma makamai, tare da uƙũba sakamakon.
* Ƙarfi - Cotto ne mai karfi da kuma ta jiki jirgin saman soja. Kamar yadda ya girma daga ƙarami har zuwa middleweight welterweight, ya zauna a jiki karfi, iya saka saukar fi girma husũma.
* Zuciya - Cotto daukawa mai yawa girman kai a lõkacin da ya matakai a cikin zobe. Ya kasance a da dama yaƙe-yaƙe inda ya ke an yanke, buga saukar da, ko a wasu m yanayi, da kuma Cotto ya nuna a gasar zuciyar.
Alvarez:
* Punching Power - Alvarez daukawa tsawa a duka fists. Shi ne knockout iko a hannun ko dai, amma ya fi yankunan da makami zaune a hagu ƙugiya. A daya hannun hagu ƙugiya fassara da baƙin ƙarfe-jawed Carlos Baldomir sume da knockout Yakubu Kirkland wani m knockout na shekara dan takarar.
* Ƙarfi - Alvarez ne mai jiki-maturing da thickly-gina jirgin saman soja da uncanny ƙarfi. Shi ne tasiri a goyi bayan mayakan sama, ko da ba saukowa ja ruwa punches. A kan karami Josesito Lopez, ya dauke shi a kashe ƙafafunsa da kuma aika shi zuwa ga zane da punches cewa komai a fili a kan abokin gaba ta kirji.
* Uƙũba Jiki Attack - Alvarez fi son sa ya saukar da abokan adawar a cikin gargajiya Mexico fashion na hukunta jiki. Duk da yake shi mai tattali tare da punches, ya kai iyakar yin amfani kan kowane naushi, musamman ma crushing bar ƙugiya zuwa hanta.
Kasawan
Dafa:
* Sakamakon Wars - Cotto da aka gasar da duniya-aji adawa fiye da shekaru goma. Ya sha wahala biyu m asarar zuwa Antonio Margarito da Manny Pacquiao da sha wahala azãba a cikin wins kan Ricardo Torres, Zab Yahuza, da kuma Shane Mosley. Duk da yake ya yi aiki tare da bujuro da Freddie Roach, da tarawa effects da ya kafin yaƙe-yaƙe na iya zama wata kansa.
* Sauki Hit - Cotto Ya sanya inganta tare da tsaro amma har yanzu yana da tunanin cewa mafi kyau tsaro ne mai kyau laifi. Ya fadi bude zargi da m jiki hari sau da yawa bar shi a bude da za a buga tare da counterpunches, da farko hooks da uppercuts.
* Chin - Hada da wani laifi cewa bar shi yiwuwa ga counter punches, Cotto ta mawuyacin halin Chin na iya zama wata girke-girke na bala'i. Cotto aka wobbled ko kika aika da dama daga cikin farkon ta faɗa, sa'an nan kuma addabi, bloodied da TKO'd a cikin ta faɗa a kan Margarito (1st yaki) da kuma Pacquiao. Har ma da haske-punching Floyd Mayweather kurege shi marigayi a cikin yãƙi,.
Alvarez:
* Daya girma - Alvarez ba ya daidaita da kyau a tsakiyar yaki. Ya zo a cikin da guda wasan-shirin da bai nuna da ikon daidaita ko da a lõkacin da dabara ba su aiki. Ya kokawa a wins kan Austin Trout da Erislandy Lara da aka sauƙi daga-boxed da Mayweather.
* Gajiya - Alvarez aiki tukuru a cikin dakin motsa jiki da kuma ko da yaushe a babban siffar amma sau da yawa iske shi da wuya ka je full karkatar ga dukan mazaunan zagaye, musamman kamar yadda ta faɗa shiga cikin tsakiyar ko kuma daga baya akai-akai. A cikin wasan da Austin Trout, Alvarez nuna tsanani gajiya a sau har ma samu kansa goyi bayan up.
* Sauki Hit -Alvarez shi ne har yanzu laifi-farko irin jirgin saman soja suka likes to tambaya matsa lamba wa abokan adawar. Yanã barin kansa bude ga counter punches, musamman dama da counter bar hooks.
PREVIOUS fadan
Dafa:
(6/6/15) - Cotto rushe Australia Daniel Geale a cikin wani middleweight take tsaron gida, yin karan shi a hudu akai-akai. Bayan ya lashe na farko da uku akai-akai, Cotto floored Geale sau biyu a cikin 4ga watan zagaye, tilasta masa ya mika wuya.
Alvarez:
(5/9/15) - Alvarez lashe m Fight-na-2015 tare da dan takarar ga knockout-na-shekarar, hallaka James Kirkland uku akai-akai. Da iyaka amma hatsari Kirkland kai hari da wuri da kuma slugfest aka qaddamar. Alvarez zira kwallaye uku knockdowns ciki har da wani karshe dama da fassara Kirkland sume.
3 Mafi wasanni
Dafa:
* Sergio Martinez (6/7/14) - Cotto tada da sosai-daukar amma tsufa kuma rauni-yiwuwa "Maravilla" Martinez. Cotto fara da sauri dabe da middleweight Zakaran sau uku a bude zagaye da azabtar da shi a ko'ina, har fadan da aka tsayar a 10ga watan zagaye.
* Zab Yahuza (6/9/07) - Cotto ya daure wasu da wuya lokacin da wuri a kan speedy southpaw, da samun rocked da wahala da yanke a karkashin lebe. Cotto ta m matsa lamba hankali rurrushe Yahuza, sapping ƙarfinsa. Cotto gama show, faduwa Yahuza a cikin 9th zagaye kafin a karshe tsayawa da shi, a 11 akai-akai.
* Alfonso Gomez (4/12/08) - Cotto sa a kan mai ban mamaki nuni, hadawa dambe basira da mugun jiki harin gaba daya ya shãfe rare "contender" alum Gomez ta 5th zagaye TKO. Cotto mamaye da aikin da ya sha knockdowns a cikin 2nd, 3RD, da kuma 5th akai-akai, doke Gomez cikin biyayya.
Alvarez:
* James Kirkland (5/9/15) - A da 2015 version of Hagler-Hearns. Kirkland kai hari relentlessly a kararrawa da Alvarez amsa a irin. Alvarez zira kwallaye a knockdown a cikin 1st zagaye da thwarted Kirkland ta takaice dai lokacin da nasara, dabe da shi da wani uppercut a cikin 3RD zagaye, kafin kammala shi, da wata hotunan dama kawai lokacin daga baya.
* Kermit Cintron (11/26/11) - Yin masa 3RD suna tsaron gida, Alvarez sanya shi duba sauki a kan iri na tsohon welterweight Zakaran. Alvarez sanya Cintron bayyana girmi gaskiya shekaru 32, da kuma azabtar da shi da sauƙi. Alvarez zira kwallaye a knockdown a cikin 4ga watan zagaye kafin battering shi mana da tilasta wani dakatar a cikin 5ga watan.
* Carlos Baldomir (9/18/10) - Alvarez shi ne 20 shekara daya prodigy ta wani m tsohon duniya zakara a Baldomir. Alvarez ya cin nasara dambe da wuri da kuma yin amfani da abũbuwan amfãni a gudu da kuma fasaha don share na farko biyar akai-akai. Amma ya nuni a cikin 6th da yake tunawa. Alvarez rocked Baldomir kafin a karshe faduwa tare da ya bar ƙugiya, kauda shi sume kafin ya buga mat kuma tafiyad da shi da makaɗaicin dakatar hasara a cikin wani 16-shekara aiki.
Makullin don Nasara
Dafa:
* Yi amfani footwork da kusassari su ci gaba da Alvarez kashe balance
* Kada ka tsaya a kafana-da-kafana da ta halitta ya fi girma Alvarez
* Land farkon samun Alvarez ta girmama
Alvarez:
* Rike matsa lamba a kan Cotto da yanke da zobe
* Daga Jab Cotto da tilasta shi ya yi kasuwanci punches
* Ka yi haƙuri da wuri da kuma ci Cotto saukar
TAMBAYOYI
Dafa:
* Iya Cotto tsaya har zuwa wani ƙaramin da ya fi girma abokin gaba?
* Sun sa na karshe biyu cin nasarar yaki fiye na wani hali na fuskantar iri na ko iyakance 'yan adawa?
* Nawa Cotto gaske sun bar?
Alvarez:
* Iya Alvarez sake GamePlan idan ya fadowa a baya da wuri?
* Za ya tsaron gida wajibobi a fallasa da irin wannan hadarin gaske puncher?
* Ne Alvarez har yanzu inganta?
PENECALE Hasashen
Cotto zai bude amfani da underrated dambe basira da kuma quickness, motsi laterally, da kuma jabbing a wani kokarin kiyaye Alvarez daga kafa ƙafafunsa. Alvarez zai ci gaba kokarin tsayar da kansa Jab kuma suka aikata ayyukan jiki. A duk lokacin da Alvarez samun ma kusa, Cotto zai pivot baya su taka a kwana da 'yan wuya jabs. Na farko biyu akai-akai zai yi strategical amma siga. A shigowa zai iya faruwa a kowane lokaci.
A mataki zai fara ƙara a cikin 3RD zagaye a matsayin Alvarez ci gaba da samun kusa da sojojin Cotto don fara tsayawa da ƙasa. Kamar kamar wata dutsen raguna butting shugabannin da kulle ƙahonin, da ikon punches zai fara tashi. Cotto zai jefa flashier haduwa, featuring overhand hakkin ya kai, hagu hooks da jiki, da wuya jabs da fuska da jiki. Alvarez zai tono ya yatsun kafa a kuma jefa bugun guda Shots, uppercuts da ƙugiyoyi, biyu, zuwa ga kai da jiki, abin da haifar da wani abrasion karkashin Cotto ta hagu ido da jini seeping daga bakinsa.
A ko'ina cikin tsakiyar akai-akai, Cotto ta m dambe da skillset sunã da shi dan kadan gaba a kan scorecards amma Alvarez ta size da ƙarfi amfani za su kasance, sannu a hankali da kuma lalle ne, sanye Cotto saukar. Cotto ta uku-da-hudu-naushi haduwa zai hankali rage zuwa biyu naushi haduwa da guda hooks da jiki. A hankali taki zai so Alvarez, kuma zai iya sarrafa tempo da kuma tono a da wuya punches ga jiki da kuma dãma zuwa fuskar.
Za a 7ga watan zagaye, tare da fadan kusan ko da da ji da ba zai iya cutar da ya fi girma Alvarez, Cotto, mãsu kõmãwa ne ya mayar da hankali a mayar da dambe a waje. Da canji a cikin dabara zai kadan gauraya Alvarez, wanda aka zama dadi ciniki a cikin ramuka. A takaice dai lokacinta miƙa zai ba da damar Cotto sake samu wani kadan gubar a kan scorecards.
Da sanin cewa shi baya da kuma fuskantar wani abokin gaba wanda aka sannu a hankali Fading, Alvarez zai nema blistering matsa lamba a cikin 9ga watan zagaye, stalking Cotto, tilasta shi ya motsa ko Punch su tsira, da kuma haddasa shi ya ciyar masu daraja makamashi a yin haka. A duk lokacin da suka samu kusa, Alvarez zai yi amfani da kafadu zuwa tsoka Cotto da clip shi da gajeren hooks da uppercuts, kadan staggering shi, a cikin 10ga watan zagaye.
Tare da fuskarsa morphing a cikin wani grotesque mask da jini da kuma kumburi, mai ga alama ya ciyar Cotto za su je don warware a cikin 11ga watan, kai hare hare cike take da winging wasu daga cikin mafi kyau hooks da jiki da kuma kai. Alvarez zai yi farin ciki don kasuwanci hooks tare da shi da kuma mataki zai kasance m. Marigayi a zagaye, Alvarez zai kasa a ja ruwa uppercut kamar yadda Cotto ne a bude da kuma Puerto Rican jirgin saman soja zai sauke wa gwiwoyi, ya hagu ido kusan rufe da bakinsa yayyo jini. Zuciyarsa zai ja shi zuwa ƙafafunsa da Alvarez za su zo da ga farauto ba, goyon baya Cotto da igiyoyi inda musayar punches ne kawai tsayar da kararrawa.
Bayan taba safofin hannu don fara karshe zagaye, Alvarez zai kai farmaki Cotto daga farko. A biyu daga dãma da gefen shugaban zai wobble Cotto, tilasta shi ya yi tuntuɓe ga igiyoyinsu da fada wa gwiwoyi. Alkalin wasa Robert Byrd zai tafiyad da na count da Cotto tanã fita a count na 8, mãsu tsananin husũma cewa shi Ok don ci gaba. Da zaran Byrd tãguwar ruwa da mayakan da baya tare, Alvarez zai Spring fadin zobe, saukowa a dama da hagu uppercut. Kamar yadda Cotto da dama a baya kan tsaka tsaki kusurwa, Byrd zai taka a tsakãninsu da dakatar da yaki, sigina Alvarez a matsayin lashe.
A lashe by TKO a 59 seconds na 12h Za a yi zagaye Saul "Canelo" Alvarez!!!!
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao In-Depth Preview and Analysis
Da: Tony Penecale
Find Tony on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TornadoTP
Karshe!!!! After six years of arguing, negotiating, finger-pointing, and the real possibility that it would never happen, the long-awaited superfight between Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. and Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao is finally about to happen. There is a possibility of grossing upwards of $300 million between them, easily the richest event in sports history. Mayweather is set to make $180 da miliyan. He would earn $15 million per round, $5 million per minute, & $83,333.33 per second. Pacquaio would make $120 million and would earn $10 million per round, $3,333,333.33 per minute, & $55,555.56 per second. Las Vegas is a gambling town, and after years of bluffing, raising the ante, and calling each other out, both fighters have put all their chips in. Their legacies are on the table. Yanzu, it’s time to see who is really holding the Aces when they step in the ring.
Age, Rikodin, DA Stats
Mayweather: Age: 38 shekara
Record: 47-0 (26 Knockouts)
Height: 5’8”
Weight: 146 * * Weight ga karshe fadan (9-13-14)
Kai: 72"
Pacquiao: Age: 35 shekara
Record: 57-5-2 (38 Knockouts)
Height: 5’6”
Weight: 144 ** Weight ga karshe fadan (11-20-14)
Kai: 67"
Zobe aikata na aikin
Mayweather:
1996 Olympic Bronze Medalist
WBC Super Featherweight Champion (’98-’02)
WBC Hur Champion (’02-’04)
Ring Magazine Lightweight Champion (’02-’04)
WBC Junior Welterweight Champion (’05-’06)
IBF Welterweight Champion (’06)
WBC Welterweight Champion (’06-‘07)
WBC Junior Middleweight Champion (’07)
WBA Junior Middleweight Champion (’12)
WBC Welterweight Champion (’11-Pres)
Ring Magazine Welterweight Champion (’06-‘07)
Ring Magazine Pound-4-Pound #1 Boxer (’05-’07, ’12-Pres)
Pacquiao:
WBC Flyweight Champion (’98-‘99)
IBF Super Bantamweight Champion (’01-’03)
WBC Super Featherweight Champion (’08)
WBC Hur Champion (‘08)
IBO Junior Welterweight Champion ('09)
WBO Welterweight Champion (’09-‘12)
WBO Welterweight Champion ('14 -Pres)
Ring Magazine Pound-4-Pound #1 Boxer (’08-‘12)
Ring Magazine Pound-4-Pound #4 Boxer (Pres)
Style
Mayweather:
A pure boxer with great speed who does everything well with an arsenal that includes a snapping jab, accurate right hand and a left hook that can be doubled and tripled with tremendous effect. Uses feint moves to freeze opponents and open punching lanes. Tucks his chin well behind his shoulder to roll with punches. Even on the ropes, he is a difficult target to land a solid punch on. He doesn’t have great punching power. Most of his stoppage victories come from outpunching and outclassing his opponents but rarely scoring clean knockouts.
Pacquiao:
Pacquiao boxes from a southpaw stance, moving forward and bobbing and feinting his way in. Once in close, he uses his right hand to find the range and then unleashes his powerful left, either straight or looping, and he will often double and triple it to the body and head. Uses quick head shifts to slip punches while moving forward. Has soundly developed under the tutelage of Freddie Roach, developing a decent right hook, either as a lead punch or thrown behind the left. Uses quick head shifts to slip punches while moving forward. Is no longer the feared finisher he once was earlier in his career.
Karfi
Mayweather:
* Experience – Boxing is in Mayweather’s blood, and he’s been involved in the sport since his childhood. Completed an extensive amateur career by winning the bronze medal in the ’96 Olympic Games. He has been competing successfully on a championship level for the past 17 shekaru, facing and defeating fighters with a variety of styles.
* Conditioning – Mayweather is a fitness freak with an amazing work ethic when it comes to training. Few fighters push themselves as much as Mayweather does in the gym, even doing midnight training sessions. It is evident in the ring when his stamina carries him in the late rounds.
* Ring Generalship – Mayweather knows every inch of the ring and how to control a fight. He knows when to attack, when to box, when to turn up the heat, and when to coast. Mayweather owns the ring when he is in there. Even the rare times when he has been stunned in fights, he was able to quickly settle down and quell the threat.
Pacquiao:
* Unorthodox Style – Pacquiao is very unorthodox, even for a southpaw. He moves straight in but is hard to time with his bobbing and head feints. Before most opponents can time his onrushes, he is throwing whirlwind punches from a variety of angles.
* Speed – Pacquiao is fleet of foot and the owner of very fast hands, especially for a boxer with such considerable power. He quickly moves into position and fires rapid one-two combinations. He’s expanded his arsenal to include blinding combinations of hooks, uppercuts, and double or triple left hands.
* Stamina – Pacquiao is always in tremendous shape and fights just as hard in the last round as he does in the first. He applies a ton of pressure and is constantly punching, wearing opponents down in the process.
Kasawan
Mayweather:
* Aging – Mayweather may have an unblemished record, but Father Time has never been defeated. Mayweather has been more flat-footed in recent bouts. His first encounter with Marcos Maidana was a rough and tumble affair where Mayweather looked very ordinary. The rematch was more definitive but unimpressive.
* Distractions – Maweather loves to be in the public eye and never shies away from controversy. Most notably are his public disputes and reconciliations with his father and trainer, Floyd Mayweather, Senior. The most recent camp turbulence came in the form of a training camp dispute between Floyd Sr. and Alex Ariza, working as the strength and conditioning coach. A non-harmonious training camp could lead to unnecessary distractions.
* Punching Power – Most of Mayweather’s stoppage wins came from an accumulation of punches. The usual result is the referee or opposing corner stopping the bout to prevent further punishment. Notwithstanding his controversial and explosive knockout of Victor Ortiz, it is rare to see Mayweather finish a bout with one punch, dating all the way back to his days as a 130-pounder.
Pacquiao:
* Killer Instinct – Pacquiao was once regarded as a ruthless buzzsaw, cutting through opponents until they succumbed. He has since lost that edge, failing to win a fight by stoppage since 2009. More of a concern is that on several occasions he eased up on outclassed opponents, allowing them to survive the last few rounds.
* Trouble with Counterpunchers – Pacquiao is an aggressive, offense-first fighter who will freely throw punches, but he can be timed and is often open to be hit with counters. Juan Manuel Marquez gave him fits with movement and counter punches, even scoring a spectacular knockout over Pacquiao with a perfectly-timed counter right hand.
* Age – Pacquiao is no longer the phenomenon he was in his 20s. He is now in his mid-30s. As he has physically aged, he has also taken on a super human schedule with political aspirations in his home country, numerous personal appearances, and several difficult bouts.
PREVIOUS fadan
Mayweather:
(09-13-14) Mayweather neutralized and outboxed Marcos Maidana in a rematch from their closer-than-expected bout from four months prior. While the action was sparse, it was a case of Mayweather using his superior skills and intelligence to thwart his aggressive but limited opponent.
Pacquiao:
(11-20-14) Pacquiao won a dominating unanimous decision over the game but vastly inexperienced Chris Algieri. Pacquiao was in control from the start and scored a total of six knockdowns, somehow failing to score the knockout some experts thought he needed to be in position for the Mayweather fight to happen.
THREE BEST PERFORMANCES
Mayweather:
* Diego Corrales (1/20/01) – Experts were torn on who to pick in this one with many leaning towards Corrales to win by KO. Mayweather never let him in the bout, knocking him down five times before the referee halted the bout in the 10th round.
* Arturo Gatti (6/25/05) – Although Mayweather was a solid betting favorite, many expected Gatti to make things rough for Mayweather. It never happened, as Mayweather floored Gatti in the first round and dealt out a severe beating before Gatti’s corner stopped the bout after six one-sided rounds.
* Ricky Hatton (12/8/07) – Hatton was undefeated coming into the bout and set a gameplan of constant pressure to wear out Mayweather. After a few uncomfortable rounds, Mayweather was able to find his range and take over, flooring Hatton twice in the 10th round and forcing a stoppage.
Pacquiao:
* Oscar De la Hoya (12/06/08) – It’s hard to imagine now, but the consensus at the time was that De la Hoya would destroy the smaller Pacquiao in a landslide. It was a landslide, but it was Pacquiao dishing out the beating, ripping De la Hoya apart with both hands. After eight one-sided and brutal rounds, a swollen and bloodied De la Hoya was beaten into permanent retirement.
* Miguel Cotto (11/14/09) – Pacquiao impressively dismantled the larger and physically imposing Cotto. Pacquiao dropped the Puerto Rican superstar twice early. From the 6th round on, Pacquiao had Cotto in a defensive shell, battering him until the referee stopped the bout in the 12th round.
* Ricky Hatton (05/02/09) – Pacquio ran through Hatton in fast and destructive fashion. Hatton–while still an underdog–was expected to provide a challenge with his strength and mauling tactics. Pacquiao unveiled an improved right hook and had Hatton down twice in the first round before crushing him with a devastating knockout in the second.
COMMON OPPONENTS
*Oscar De la Hoya
– Mayweather: Split Decision 2007
– Pacquiao: WHO 8ga watan zagaye 2008
*Miguel Cotto
– Mayweather: Unanimous Decision 2013
– Pacquiao: WHO 12ga watan zagaye 2009
*Ricky Hatton
– Mayweather: WHO 10ga watan zagaye 2007
– Pacquiao: KO 2nd zagaye 2009
* Shane Mosley
– Mayweather: Unanimous Decision 2010
– Pacquiao: Unanimous Decision 2011
* Juan Manuel Marquez
– Mayweather: Unanimous Decision 2009
– Pacquiao: Kusantar 2004, Split Decision 2008, Majority Decision 2011,
KO’d 6ga watan zagaye 2012
Makullin don Nasara
Mayweather:
* Get Pacquiao’s respect early, timing his rushes, and hitting him with straight right hands.
* Use clinches to smother Pacquiao and thwart any offensive momentum.
* Do not try to trade punches with Pacquiao.
Pacquiao:
* Use feints to get Mayweather to make the first move.
* Don’t aim strictly at Mayweather’s head. Focus on the body, arms, and torso?
* Do not let Mayweather control the tempo.
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
* Can the fight live up to the hype? Unless this turns out to be Hagler-Hearns, Gatti-Ward, and Ali-Frazier all rolled up into one, it will be nearly impossible to live up to the hype that has surrounded this match-up for over six years. The hype might be inflated and overbearing, but it can still be entertaining.
* Is the fight happening too late? Both fighters are in their late 30s. While these two phenoms are still elite competitors, they are past their primes. Even so, instances of fighters past their primes matching up perfectly and turning in an epic encounter have occurred on several occasions.
* Who has the most to lose? Mayweather without a doubt has the most to lose. Pacquiao is an icon in his home country, so no matter what happens, he will remain a beloved figure. Mayweather is boasting about himself as “The Best Ever” and relishes his undefeated record. He even said recently that he’s better than Muhammad Ali was. A loss obliterates the “0” on Mayweather’s record and will provide more fodder for the argument that he is not even the best of his generation.
* How will their styles match up? It figures to be a classic boxer vs puncher match-up. Mayweather is a consummate strategist. He is a master of figuring out his opponents, frustrating them, and setting up counter punches. Pacquiao will press the action, try to overwhelm, breaking through Mayweather’s defense with a high volume of punches. It will be a clash of Quantity against Quality. Pacquiao will throw more punches, more punches than anybody has ever thrown against Mayweather. Mayweather will throw less but land at a higher connect rate, with sharp counter punches.
* What are the chances of a Knockout? Pacquiao is known as the better puncher, but he has failed to score a stoppage victory since battering Miguel Cotto in 2009. Mayweather has scored only one stoppage victory since 2007 against the weak-chinned Victor Ortiz. The two most likely scenarios for a knockout win would either be Pacquiao becoming reckless and leaving himself open to Mayweather’s straight right hand or Mayweather suddenly becoming an old fighter and wilting under Pacquiao’s relentless pressure. Likely, this fight will go to the scorecards.
* Will the officials factor into the conclusion? Kenny Bayless has been assigned as the referee and is regarded as one of the best in boxing. He has worked as the referee in six previous Pacquiao fights and four previous Mayweather bouts. The only backlash he received from those ten total bouts was the Mayweather-Maidana rematch where he was criticized for breaking up the inside clinches too quickly, seemingly favoring Mayweather against the mauling style of Maidana. With Mayweather naturally bigger than Pacquiao, breaking up clinches quickly (especially if Pacquiao has any momentum) would serve more as a disadvantage to Mayweather. The judges are Burt Clements, Dave Moretti, both veteran officials in Las Vegas, and Glenn Feldman, based out of Connecticut. Moretti has worked nine Mayweather bouts and six Pacquiao bouts. Clements has worked three Mayweather bouts and one Pacquiao bout. Feldman has only worked one Mayweather bout early in his career.
* What happens next? If the fight turns out to be entertaining, kusa da, or controversial, a rematch is possible depending on the outcome.
If Mayweather wins, he is 48-0 and can walk away from Pacquiao and seek a different challenge for his final fight. He could even seek a possible move up to grab a title at middleweight and another superfight with the next big sensation Gennady Golovkin.
If Pacquiao wins, a rematch is almost a given, especially with so much money on the table.
A draw would also most likely force a rematch for the final fight of Mayweather’s career sometime in September.
PENECALE Hasashen
The anticipation as the fighters make their way to the ring will be electric. The growing crescendo of excitement will continue through the introductions with Mayweather sporting a confident smirk and Pacquaio fixated with an icy glare.
The waiting will be over when the bell rings and both fighters come out to the center of the ring. Mayweather will be moving to his left, rolling his hands and probing with a soft jab. Pacquiao will be like a coiled spring, bouncing back and forth and feinting with his jab. Pacquiao will throw a few wild left hands that Mayweather backs away from, his back hitting the ropes as he slides away to his right. The round will end without anything conclusive landing for either fighter, making it difficult to score.
Pacquiao will look to increase the pace in the second round and outwork Mayweather. While Mayweather is the center of the ring, he will dictate the pace and the action, keeping Pacquiao limited to throwing one punch at a time. When Pacquiao is able to cut the ring off and back Mayweather to the ropes, he will unleash combinations. The flurries for the most part won’t land, but the work rate will stir the crowd into a frenzy.
Pacquaio will continue the high volume of punches through the 3RD da kuma 4ga watan rounds until Mayweather lands a right hand while their feet are tangled, causing Pacquiao to sprawl to the canvas. He will protest while Bayless administers the count, but he will not be hurt. Mayweather will smile and move in, throwing a few right hands, truly seeing if Pacquiao is stunned. Pacquiao will respond with his own vicious left hand, bringing the crowd to their feet as the bell rings.
Mayweather will again box cautiously starting the 5ga watan zagaye, staying on the outside and pivoting away when Pacquiao gets close. The fight will resemble a cat and mouse affair with Pacquiao trying to corner Mayweather and Mayweather trying to bait him into making a mistake. Pacquiao will be the aggressor, throwing far more punches. Mayweather will be timing him with single counter punches throughout the 6ga watan da kuma 7ga watan akai-akai.
A sharp left hand by Pacquiao in the 8ga watan round will startle Mayweather and cause blood to leak from his nose. Pacquiao will try to press the advantage and unleash another torrent of punches. Mayweather will pull away against the ropes, and Pacquiao will focus his attention to the body with a combination of punches to the chest and shoulder, forcing Mayweather to clinch and break the momentum.
Mayweather will get up on his toes in the 9ga watan zagaye, using lateral movement to keep Pacquiao from setting his feet and unleashing more than one punch at a time. Pacquiao will step in with a few lefts that are blocked, but Mayweather’s movement will keep him from throwing any follow-up punches. As Mayweather slips out, he will land his own counter punches, making it another difficult round to score.
Throughout the 10ga watan da kuma 11ga watan akai-akai, Mayweather will execute a plan to counter Pacquiao with single punches and avoid most of his counter flurries. Pacquiao will step in with a hard left to the body, forcing a Mayweather clinch. When the action resumes, Pacquiao will look to attack the body again, only to be met with a straight right hand over the top.
The final round in a very close bout will see Mayweather neutralizing Pacquiao’s rushes, landing single counter punches and pivoting away from danger, sharpshooting from the outside. Pacquiao will desperately try to corner Mayweather but he won’t allow it, moving on the outside and clinching in close, bringing an anticlimactic ending as the final bell rings.
It will take several minutes for the scorecards to be tabulated, with the consensus believing Mayweather won 7 akai-akai, including a knockdown. Pacquaio will pray in his corner while Mayweather smiles and laughs with his entourage.
The decision will be as follows. Glen Feldman will score the bout 114-113 for Pacquaio. Burt Clements will score 115-112 for Mayweather. Dave Moretti will score the bout a very curious 115-112 for the winner of the biggest superfight of the century…. MANNY “PACMAN” PACQUIAO!!!!
With the decision announced, a disgusted Mayweather will demand a rematch before storming out of the ring, setting up another lucrative event in September and a possible trilogy.