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: predizione
UFC 209: Woodley contro. Wonderboy and Khabib vs. Ferguson Preview and Prediction
Da: Rich 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) nel main event. Even the odds makers (Controlla il 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.
Ancora, 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?
Predizione: 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. Nel frattempo, 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. Egli ha 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. Tuttavia, 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. Naturalmente, 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 ** In-Depth anteprima e Analisi **
Con Tony Penecale
Ci sono rivalità che sono leggendari nella storia. Il Hatfields e McCoys I, I Capuleti ei Montecchi e I New York Yankees e Boston Red Sox sono tutti aspre rivalità. Si può sostenere che il più brutale è la rivalità boxe di lunga data fra Puerto Rican combattenti contro le loro controparti messicane. Il prossimo capitolo corrisponde l'esperienza e pesanti mani di portoricano icona Miguel Cotto contro i giovani e la potenza della dinamo messicano Saul "Canelo" Alvarez. Quando si incontrano nella notte di Sabato, entrambi i combattenti saranno portando l'orgoglio del loro paese sul ring e nel mantra di guerrieri spartani, che risulteranno dalla battaglia con uno schermo o su di esso. Chi sarà portare lo scudo al termine del loro incontro, e che sarà effettuata sul suo?
ETÀ, DISCO, E STATISTICHE
Cotto: Età: 35 anni
Disco: 40-4 (33 Knockouts)
Altezza: 5’7”
Il peso: 153 * * Di peso per ultimo incontro (6-6-15)
Raggiungere: 67"
Alvarez: Età: 25 anni
Disco: 45-1-1 (32 Knockouts)
Altezza: 5’9”
Il peso: 154 * * Di peso per ultimo incontro (5-9-15)
Raggiungere: 70"
REALIZZAZIONI ANELLO
Cotto:
WBO welter junior campione ('04 -'06)
Campione welter WBA ('06 -'08)
Campione WBO welter ('09)
WBA Junior medio campione ('10 -'12)
WBC medio campione ('14 -près)
Alvarez:
WBC junior medio campione ('11 -'13)
WBA Junior medio campione ('13)
STILE
Cotto:
Uno stalker fisico che scatole dalla posizione ortodossa, Cotto ha sviluppato competenze migliore boxe ma preferisce ancora a venire dritto, e portare gli avversari giù con un attacco corpo vizioso. Cotto favorisce ganci e uppercut a pugni diretti e trasforma ogni attacco in una guerra di logoramento. Non ha luci-out potere di perforazione, ma è molto punire. La maggior parte delle sue vittorie arresto totale sono venuti in ritardo, dopo il suo avversario è stato logorato. Spesso lasciare aprirsi ai contatori quando si cerca di scatenare la sua offesa.
Alvarez:
Un aggressivo, combattente fisico con competenze boxe sottovalutate e rapidità, Alvarez indossa spesso gli avversari verso il basso con la pressione costante e pugni pesante. Userà finte e contatori di gettare si avversari Timing fuori e creare aperture per un attacco corpo estenuante. Porta combattere cambia il potere in entrambe le mani, ma a volte non gettare abbastanza punzoni. Mentre lui è più conosciuto per le sue capacità offensive, Alvarez ha decente, ma non eccezionale, abilità difensive scivolare e blocco pugni.
PUNTI DI FORZA
Cotto:
* Body Attack - Cotto è probabilmente il miglior pugile corpo in questo sport oggi. Egli ali ganci fragorosi al suo interno che rendono il contatto con ciò che è disponibile: costolette, spalle, torso, il petto, e braccia, con risultati punire.
* Forza - Cotto è un combattente forte e fisico. Anche se è cresciuto da welter junior fino a medi, egli rimane una forza fisica, capace di logorare gli avversari più grandi.
* Cuore - Cotto porta un sacco di orgoglio quando si entra sul ring. E 'stato in un certo numero di guerre dove è stato tagliato, abbattuto, o in altre situazioni avverse, Cotto e ha mostrato il cuore di un campione.
Alvarez:
* Punzonatura Potenza - Alvarez porta tuono in entrambi i pugni. Egli è potere knockout in entrambe le mani, ma la sua arma più devastante risiede nel suo gancio sinistro. Un singolo gancio sinistro reso il ferro mascella Carlos Baldomir inconscio e la sua eliminazione diretta della James Kirkland era un potenziale eliminazione diretta del candidato anno.
* Forza - Alvarez è un combattente fisicamente maturazione e fittamente costruito con forza inquietante. E 'efficace nel sostenere i combattenti up, anche quando non atterraggio pugni a filo. Contro il più piccolo Josesito Lopez, lo sollevò dai suoi piedi e lo mandò al tappeto con pugni che è atterrato contro il petto del suo avversario.
* Punire Body Attack - Alvarez preferisce indossare i suoi avversari giù in moda tradizionale messicano di punire il corpo. Mentre lui è economico con i suoi pugni, egli offre la massima leva su ogni pugno, in particolare la schiacciamento gancio sinistro al fegato.
PUNTI DEBOLI
Cotto:
* Effetti di Guerre - Cotto è stato in competizione contro di classe mondiale opposizione per oltre un decennio. Ha subito due perdite brutale per Antonio Margarito e Manny Pacquiao e ha subito una punizione nei suoi vittorie contro Ricardo Torres, Zab Judah, e Shane Mosley. Mentre lui ha avuto una rinascita lavorare con Freddie Roach, gli effetti cumulativi di sue guerre precedenti non possono essere un danno.
* Facile da colpire - Cotto ha fatto miglioramenti con la sua difesa, ma ha ancora la mentalità che la sua miglior difesa è l'attacco. La sua ampia reato aperto e attacco corpo inesorabile spesso lo lascia aperto a essere colpito con counterpunches, principalmente ganci e uppercut.
* Chin - In combinazione con un reato che lascia lo inclini a contrastare pugni, Mento traballante Cotto può essere una ricetta per il disastro. Cotto è stato vacillato o caduto in molti dei suoi precedenti combattimenti e poi martoriato, insanguinato e TKO'd nelle sue lotte contro Margarito (1st lotta) e Pacquiao. Anche la luce-punzonatura Floyd Mayweather lo sfalsati in ritardo nella loro lotta.
Alvarez:
* One Dimensional - Alvarez non si adatta bene a metà lotta. Si arriva con un unico piano di gioco e non ha dimostrato la possibilità di regolare anche quando le sue tattiche non funzionano. Lottò nelle sue vittorie contro Austin Trout e Erislandy Lara ed è stato facilmente fuori-boxed contro Mayweather.
* Fatica - Alvarez lavora duramente in palestra ed è sempre in gran forma, ma spesso stenta ad andare a tutta velocità per un intero turno, tanto più che le sue lotte vanno nelle fasi intermedie o successive. Nel suo incontro con Austin Trout, Alvarez ha mostrato grave fatica, a volte e addirittura si trovò il backup.
* Facile da colpire -Alvarez è ancora un tipo di reato, prima di combattente che ama fare pressione ai suoi avversari. Lascerà aprirsi per contrastare punzoni, mano soprattutto ganci destro e sinistro del contatore.
BOUT PRECEDENTE
Cotto:
(6/6/15) - Cotto demolito australiano Daniel Geale in una difesa del titolo dei medi, facendogli perdere i sensi in quattro turni. Dopo aver vinto i primi tre turni, Cotto pavimentato Geale due volte nel 4th round, costringendolo alla resa.
Alvarez:
(5/9/15) - Alvarez ha vinto il potenziale lotta-di-2015 con un candidato per Knockout-of-the Year, distruggendo James Kirkland in tre turni. Il Kirkland limitato, ma pericoloso attaccato presto ed è stato avviato il slugfest. Alvarez ha segnato tre atterramenti tra cui una mano finale destra del reso Kirkland inconscia.
3 Migliori prestazioni
Cotto:
* Sergio Martinez (6/7/14) - Cotto sconvolto il altamente considerato ma l'invecchiamento e lesioni a rischio "Maravilla" Martinez. Cotto ha iniziato rapidamente pavimentazione il campione dei medi per tre volte nella gara di apertura e lo punì tutto fino a quando è stato fermato l'incontro in 10th round.
* Zab Judah (6/9/07) - Cotto ha dovuto sopportare momenti difficili presto contro il mancino veloce, ottenendo scosso e la sofferenza un taglio sotto il labbro. incessante pressione di Cotto a poco a poco si è rotta Giuda, fiaccando la sua forza. Cotto finito lo spettacolo, cadere Giuda nel 9 ° turno prima infine fermarlo in 11 round.
* Alfonso Gomez (4/12/08) - Cotto mettere su un fantastico display, miscelazione capacità di boxe con un attacco feroce corpo a obliterare completamente popolare "Contender" allume Gomez entro il 5 turno TKO. Cotto ha dominato l'azione e ha segnato abbattimenti nel 2 °, 3rd, e 5 ° round, battendo Gomez alla sottomissione.
Alvarez:
* James Kirkland (5/9/15) - Era il 2015 versione di Hagler-Hearns. Kirkland ha attaccato senza sosta al campanello e Alvarez ha risposto in natura. Alvarez ha segnato un atterramento nel 1st rotondo e contrastato brevi momenti di Kirkland di successo, la pavimentazione di lui con un montante nel 3rd round, prima di finirlo con un pittoresco mano destra solo pochi istanti dopo.
* Kermit Cintron (11/26/11) - Rendere la sua 3rd difesa del titolo, Alvarez ha fatto sembrare facile contro l'ex campione dei pesi welter sbiadito. Alvarez ha fatto Cintron apparire più vecchio della sua vera età di 32, e lo punito con facilità. Alvarez ha segnato un atterramento nel 4th giro prima di lui percosse senza pietà e costringendo un arresto nel 5th.
* Carlos Baldomir (9/18/10) - Alvarez era il 20 anni prodigio di fronte a un ex campione del mondo durevole in Baldomir. Alvarez era successo di boxe presto e usando i suoi vantaggi in termini di velocità e abilità per spazzare i primi cinque giri. Ma era la sua esposizione nel 6 °, che è stata memorabile. Alvarez ha scosso Baldomir prima infine cadere con un gancio sinistro, rendendolo incosciente prima che ha colpito il tappeto e lo occupano la sua unica perdita di arresto in una carriera di 16 anni.
CHIAVI DI VITTORIA
Cotto:
* Utilizzare gioco di gambe e angoli per mantenere l'equilibrio Alvarez
* Non stare in punta di piedi con la più grande naturalmente Alvarez
* Terra presto per guadagnare il rispetto di Alvarez
Alvarez:
* Mantenere la pressione su Cotto e tagliare l'anello
* Out jab Cotto e costringerlo a scambiare pugni
* Siate pazienti e usura precoce Cotto giù
DOMANDE
Cotto:
* Può Cotto resistere a un avversario più giovane e più grande?
* Furono le sue ultime due vittorie più di un caso di rivestimento sbiadito o di opposizione limitato?
* Quanto Cotto davvero hanno lasciato?
Alvarez:
* Può Alvarez cambiare la sua tattica di gioco, se è in ritardo presto?
* Saranno le sue passività difensivi essere esposti contro un pugile così pericolosa?
* È Alvarez ancora migliorare?
PENECALE PREVISIONE
Cotto si aprirà utilizzando le sue abilità di boxe sottovalutate e rapidità, movimento laterale, e colpendo nel tentativo di mantenere Alvarez di fissare i suoi piedi. Alvarez avanzerà cercando di stabilire la propria jab e lavorare il corpo. Ogni volta che si avvicina troppo Alvarez, Cotto ruotare via e passo su angolo con un paio di colpi duri. I primi due turni saranno strategica ma tesa. L'eruzione può avvenire in qualsiasi momento.
L'azione inizierà a intensificarsi nel 3rd tondo come Alvarez si avvicina continuamente e le forze Cotto per iniziare a stare la sua terra. Come un paio di arieti montagna sbattere la testa e bloccare le corna, i pugni di potenza inizierà a volare. Cotto lancerà combinazioni flashier, con diritti overhand alla testa, ganci sinistri al corpo, e colpi duri al viso e il tronco. Alvarez scaverà le dita dei piedi e gettare batteva colpi singoli, montanti e ganci, sia per la testa e il corpo, che si traducono in una abrasione sotto l'occhio sinistro di Cotto e il sangue che filtrava dalla sua bocca.
In tutto il giro di mezzo, Boxe superiore di Cotto e qualifiche lui avranno un po 'in anticipo sui scorecard ma dimensioni e la forza vantaggio di Alvarez saranno, lentamente e sicuramente, indossando Cotto giù. combinazioni di tre e quattro pugno Cotto gradualmente ridurre le combinazioni a due-punch e ganci singoli per il corpo. Il ritmo più lento sarà favorire Alvarez ed egli sarà in grado di controllare il tempo e scavare con colpi duri per il corpo e le mani destro al volto.
Entrando nella 7th round, con l'incontro virtualmente anche e sentendo lui non può far male più grande è Alvarez, Cotto tornerà la sua attenzione torna alla boxe al di fuori. Il cambiamento di tattica momentaneamente disorientare Alvarez, che stava diventando confortevole negoziazione in trincea. La breve spostamento slancio permetterà Cotto a ritrovare un leggero vantaggio sulle scorecard.
Rendendosi conto che è dietro e di fronte un avversario che sta lentamente svanendo, Alvarez applicherà vesciche pressione nel 9th round, lo stalking Cotto, costringendolo a spostare o pugno di sopravvivere, e facendolo spendere preziose energie in questo modo. Ogni volta che si avvicinano, Alvarez userà le sue spalle per Cotto muscolare e lo agganciare con brevi ganci e uppercut, momentaneamente lo sconcertante nella 10th round.
Con la sua faccia morphing in una maschera grottesca di sangue e gonfiore, una Cotto apparentemente speso andrà tutto per tutto nella 11th, attacca disperatamente e volando alcuni dei suoi migliori ganci al corpo e alla testa. Alvarez sarà felice di scambiare ganci con lui e l'azione sarà intensa. Verso la fine del turno, Alvarez atterrare un uppercut a filo come Cotto è spalancata e il combattente portoricano scenderà in ginocchio, l'occhio sinistro quasi chiusa e la bocca che perde sangue. Il suo cuore lo tirerà in piedi e Alvarez arriverà per uccidere, Cotto appoggio alle corde in cui lo scambio di punzoni viene arrestato solo dalla campana.
Dopo aver toccato i guanti per iniziare la fase finale, Alvarez attaccherà Cotto fin dall'inizio. Un paio di mani destra al lato della testa oscillerà Cotto, costringendolo a barcollare alle corde e cadere in ginocchio. Arbitro Robert Byrd amministrerà il conteggio con Cotto salita il numero di 8, veemenza sostenendo che egli è OK per continuare. Non appena le onde Byrd i combattenti di nuovo insieme, Alvarez primavera attraverso l'anello, atterraggio di un mano destra e uppercut sinistro. Come Cotto ricade contro l'angolo neutro, Byrd farà un passo tra di loro e fermare la lotta, segnalazione Alvarez come il vincitore.
Il vincitore per KO tecnico alla 59 secondi del 12h turno sarà Saul "Canelo" Alvarez!!!!
Mayweather vs. Pacquiao In-Depth Preview and Analysis
Da: Tony Penecale
Find Tony on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TornadoTP
FINALMENTE!!!! 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 milione. 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. Ora, it’s time to see who is really holding the Aces when they step in the ring.
ETÀ, DISCO, E STATISTICHE
Mayweather: Età: 38 anni
Disco: 47-0 (26 Knockouts)
Altezza: 5’8”
Il peso: 146 * * Di peso per ultimo incontro (9-13-14)
Raggiungere: 72"
Pacquiao: Età: 35 anni
Disco: 57-5-2 (38 Knockouts)
Altezza: 5’6”
Il peso: 144 ** Di peso per ultimo incontro (11-20-14)
Raggiungere: 67"
REALIZZAZIONI ANELLO
Mayweather:
1996 Medaglia di bronzo olimpica
WBC Super Featherweight Champion (’98-’02)
WBC campione leggero (’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 medio campione (’07)
WBA Junior medio campione (’12)
WBC Welterweight Champion (’11-Pres)
Ring Magazine Welterweight Champion (’06-‘07)
Ring Magazine Pound-4-Pound #1 Pugile (’05-’07, ’12-Pres)
Pacquiao:
WBC Flyweight Champion (’98-‘99)
IBF Super Bantamweight Champion (’01-’03)
WBC Super Featherweight Champion (’08)
WBC campione leggero (‘08)
IBO Junior Welterweight Champion ('09)
Campione WBO welter (’09-‘12)
Campione WBO welter ('14 -près)
Ring Magazine Pound-4-Pound #1 Pugile (’08-‘12)
Ring Magazine Pound-4-Pound #4 Pugile (Pres)
STILE
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.
PUNTI DI FORZA
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 anni, 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, montanti, 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.
PUNTI DEBOLI
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.
* Età – 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.
BOUT PRECEDENTE
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 8th round 2008
*Miguel Cotto
– Mayweather: Unanimous Decision 2013
– Pacquiao: WHO 12th round 2009
*Ricky Hatton
– Mayweather: WHO 10th round 2007
– Pacquiao: KO 2nd round 2009
* Shane Mosley
– Mayweather: Unanimous Decision 2010
– Pacquiao: Unanimous Decision 2011
* Juan Manuel Marquez
– Mayweather: Unanimous Decision 2009
– Pacquiao: Disegnare 2004, Split Decision 2008, Majority Decision 2011,
KO’d 6th round 2012
CHIAVI DI VITTORIA
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, vicino, or controversial, a rematch is possible depending on the outcome.
If Mayweather wins, lui è 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 PREVISIONE
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 e 4th 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 5th round, 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 6th e 7th round.
A sharp left hand by Pacquiao in the 8th 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 9th round, 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 10th e 11th round, 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 round, 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.