By Kirk Jackson
Last Saturday night in Las Vegas, Floyd Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs) defeated rival Manny Pacquiao (57-6-2, 38 KOs) in what was deemed the “Fight of the Century.”
“Everyone was saying that I was scared and that Floyd going to lose. They said this guy could beat Floyd. Floyd is a coward. Floyd is a chicken,” said Mayweather.
“I made you guys eat your words. Write this tomorrow – ‘we weren’t believers, but Floyd Mayweather has turned us into believers.”
Mayweather exclaimed during his post-fight interview he wanted the critics to eat their words.
The critics indulged on a five course meal.
Mayweather was in vintage form throughout the night, placing accurately timed counters, utilizing his jab to control the pace, displaying superb defense; an overall masterclass from the best fighter of his generation.
Pacquiao looked confused at times, often throwing off balanced punches, swinging and connecting with air, as this was a frustrating night for the Pacman.
This fight what predicated on the range/distance of the fighters and on who could control the pace of the fight. Important keys to the fight highlighted in:
http://www.boxinginsider.com/columns/five-reasons-why-floyd-mayweather-will-beat-manny-pacquiao/
Now that the fight is over with, you would think the winner would receive props and adulation right? Wrong. Only if your name isn’t Floyd Mayweather.
Many fans and Mayweather detractors have complained about the results of the fight since its conclusion.
Some claim the fight was boring, Mayweather clinched his way to victory, Mayweather ran like a chicken, Pacquiao was too old, Pacquiao was too small, etc…
And then the word from camp Pacquiao, is that Manny Pacquiao entered the fight with an injured shoulder.
A few things to address here:
One thing seems clear, no matter what Mayweather did to win the fight, he was going to get criticized. He could have knocked Pacquiao out in the first round and people still would have found something to complain about.
If Mayweather brawls, people say his reflexes aren’t the same and his time is up, if he uses lateral movement, people say he runs.
There is no way this fight was going to live up to the hype. This was not going to be a rock em, sock em, drag out fight. People complaining saying, “Oh back in the 80’s, Sugar Ray Leonard and guys like that produced classics!”
Many people are living of nostalgic memories. Sometimes you only want to remember the good times. Not every fight in the 1980’s was a classic fight. Sugar Ray Leonard vs. Roberto Duran was a stinker, if we hold the fight to your criteria.
For those claiming Mayweather “Ran” and didn’t fight like a man, according to Compubox, Mayweather threw more punches than Pacquiao.
Mayweather threw 435 punches, landing 148 punches with a connect rate of 34%.
Pacquiao threw 429 punches, landing 81 punches with a connect rate of 19%.
Oscar De La Hoya tweeted, ‘Sorry boxing fans.’
Maybe he should also apologize for “Running” from Felix Trinidad in their welterweight clash 16 years ago.
In regards to injury, I do not doubt Pacquiao entered the fight with some injuries. ALL FIGHTERS enter the fight with some assortment of injuries, it’s the nature of the game.
Do you not believe brittle hand Mayweather did not have any kind of injuries entering this fight? Only difference is, win or lose, Mayweather does not make excuses.
Pacquiao threw many punches with a lot of steam, looked quick, he just missed a most of his punches. Landed 19% according to Compubox.
Nevada State Athletic Commission Francisco Aguilar, refuted Pacquiao and promoter Bob Arum’s claims.
Speaking of which, all of these complaints are excuses. What happened to no excuses?
ESPN, HBO built and hyped Manny Pacquiao up for years. He was supposed to be the instrument delivered from God, to defeat the evil Mayweather. Even during the telecast, some excuses were made in regards to Mayweather supposedly being the natural welterweight (147 lbs.) and that Pacquiao is more so a light welterweight (140 lbs.).
Pacquiao was big enough to pummel Antonio Margarito at super welterweight (154 lbs.), he was big enough to destroy current lineal middleweight champion Miguel Cotto right? But for Floyd Mayweather it’s different?
Manny Pacquiao took a selfie picture at the beginning of his ring entrance (somewhat disrespectful) and was the trash talking fighter leading up to the fight.
His trainer Freddie Roach, trashed Mayweather and claimed he had many strategies to beat Mayweather.
During the post-fight ring interview, Pacquiao claimed to have won the fight and did not give any props to his opponent Mayweather.
He is supposed to be this man of God right? Where’s his humility? Double Standards.
Paulie Malignaggi has a point.
Manny Pacquiao is a great fighter, as is Floyd Mayweather. Both guys deserve praise and any true boxing fan can respect what they bring to the table. Mayweather proved to be the better fighter, simple as that.
Just appreciate his greatness. Excuses, negatively, takes away from the fight so we should stop taking credit away from the fighters.
Oscar De La Hoya, Mike Tyson, Skip Bayless, Jim Lampley, Larry Merchant, various other critics, eat your words.
Mayweather cemented his greatness, his superiority as the best of his era and although he may not be “The Best Ever,” he is an all-time great.
