Mayweather vs Pacquaio IS ON!!!

[taffytoon]

Virgin Atlantic.

i booked it yesterday morn, but wish i had booked it friday night when i was first looking.

Why has it gone up?

[Carbo]

I have to disagree with those who are arguing that they aren't bothered by this fight. I don’t profess to be able to jump into people’s minds, but I do wonder whether this might have a bit of wanton contrariness in it.

Nobody was more disappointed than me about Mayweather’s (as I saw it) lack of willingness to make that fight happen when it should have. It actually made me lose my interest in boxing altogether. Call me a fairweather fan if you like, but I used to post a lot around here, as some might remember, and I just completely lost faith with a sport that would i) fail to make the obvious fights to decide who was best and ii) stab itself in the eye so often.

I couldn’t bring myself to be interested in fights that weren’t that. What was the point of a sport in which we could never know who was the best?

But here’s the thing, now it’s made, I’m excited again. I feel my love of the sport resurfacing like magma from an underwater volcano, slowly pushing land up above the waterline.

So I find it difficult to think that folks like yourselves, obviously enthusiasts and more connected with the sport than I am at the moment, don’t get at least a twinge in your ladyparts about this one. Despite the fact they’ve both lost a step, and despite the fact Pacquiao has had a couple of losses meantime, it’s still a fight between the P4P best two in the world, and one in which the underdog has a real chance of winning. It’s miles, miles better in terms of time after it’s ideal moment than Lewis Tyson or Leonard Hearns II, and the atmosphere and excitement in the buildup to those was electric.

For what it’s worth, I don’t think that Mayweather’s legs are quite what they were. His accuracy hasn’t gone, his handspeed hasn’t degenerated in the way Pacquiao’s has, but he’s simply not as mobile as he was back in the day. He stands in the pocket far more than he used to. Given how Pacquaio looked in the rematch against Bradley (definitely short of the pop he had when he first moved to 147, definitely slower of hand, definitely not as aggressive as he was, and definitely not quite giving the angles he used to, but busy, hard hitting and fast), I think Mayweather is a 2-1 or more favourite, but that it's still a more even match now than at any stage since 2010-11.

[big lennox]

I have to disagree with those who are arguing that they aren't bothered by this fight. I don’t profess to be able to jump into people’s minds, but I do wonder whether this might have a bit of wanton contrariness in it.

Nobody was more disappointed than me about Mayweather’s (as I saw it) lack of willingness to make that fight happen when it should have. It actually made me lose my interest in boxing altogether. Call me a fairweather fan if you like, but I used to post a lot around here, as some might remember, and I just completely lost faith with a sport that would i) fail to make the obvious fights to decide who was best and ii) stab itself in the eye so often.

I couldn’t bring myself to be interested in fights that weren’t that. What was the point of a sport in which we could never know who was the best?

But here’s the thing, now it’s made, I’m excited again. I feel my love of the sport resurfacing like magma from an underwater volcano, slowly pushing land up above the waterline.

So I find it difficult to think that folks like yourselves, obviously enthusiasts and more connected with the sport than I am at the moment, don’t get at least a twinge in your ladyparts about this one. Despite the fact they’ve both lost a step, and despite the fact Pacquiao has had a couple of losses meantime, it’s still a fight between the P4P best two in the world, and one in which the underdog has a real chance of winning. It’s miles, miles better in terms of time after it’s ideal moment than Lewis Tyson or Leonard Hearns II, and the atmosphere and excitement in the buildup to those was electric.

For what it’s worth, I don’t think that Mayweather’s legs are quite what they were. His accuracy hasn’t gone, his handspeed hasn’t degenerated in the way Pacquiao’s has, but he’s simply not as mobile as he was back in the day. He stands in the pocket far more than he used to. Given how Pacquaio looked in the rematch against Bradley (definitely short of the pop he had when he first moved to 147, definitely slower of hand, definitely not as aggressive as he was, and definitely not quite giving the angles he used to, but busy, hard hitting and fast), I think Mayweather is a 2-1 or more favourite, but that it's still a more even match now than at any stage since 2010-11.

Good post. I was someone that I wasn't bothered, but now it has been made, I am excited. That said, I still can't help but think that it is an opportunity lost in historical and sporting terms. Right after Pacman's wins over Hatton or Cotto would have been something else.

Mayweather has played a blinder though because he is now getting a far bigger purse than he would have got when the fight was first mooted.

[Carbo]

Good post. I was someone that I wasn't bothered, but now it has been made, I am excited. That said, I still can't help but think that it is an opportunity lost in historical and sporting terms. Right after Pacman's wins over Hatton or Cotto would have been something else.

Mayweather has played a blinder though because he is now getting a far bigger purse than he would have got when the fight was first mooted.

Agreed. And, psychologically, I don't think that this fight has been made, as many have mooted, because Floyd now fancies it, and has played the timing perfectly, as Leonard did with Hagler, insomuch as the TV networks have forced it on both fighters, and especially Showtime on Floyd. It was becoming increasingly difficult to sell any other fight, and the PPV numbers for Maidana II weren't stellar. I don't think that Showtime (but also HBO wtih Pacquiao) wanted to take the risk that the next PPV fights involving their two cash cows would show an even sharper decline.

[Carbo]

It’s technique against natural gifts, and technique always wins.

Always? Off the top of my head, what about Arguello -- Pryor?

[Boxerbeetle]

It’s technique against natural gifts, and technique always wins.

Always? Off the top of my head, what about Arguello -- Pryor?

RJJ vs Tarver 2 ??

[bigjack]

5 years ago i would have said this fight could have possibly 2 or maybe 3 different outcomes,now i only see 1 and that's a Floyd points win, i'm interested in it but could name a dozen fights i'd much rather see, GGG V FROCH being number 1.

[Srebmun]

Thank God for this thread and some sensible reading. Made the mistake of trying to read the ones in General - jeez, some eejits in there.

[bigjack]

Thank God for this thread and some sensible reading. Made the mistake of trying to read the ones in General - jeez, some eejits in there.

Your not kidding either

[Deserter]

It’s still a fight between the P4P best two in the world, and one in which the underdog has a real chance of winning.

And this is exactly why you don't understand the mindset of someone like myself, as I don't regard Pacman as being the second-best fighter in the world any more and I don't believe he has a real chance of winning.
I hope I'm wrong, but ironically for all the reasons you outline later, I think Mayweather absolutely cruises to an easy points win.

[Monte Fisto]

Virgin Atlantic.

i booked it yesterday morn, but wish i had booked it friday night when i was first looking.

Why has it gone up?

Well I'm using air miles, and so u have to travel on available dates. On the Friday it was a 7 night holiday, i thought I'd sweet talk them on the done to reduce it to a 5 trip or less. But the available flights changed and now I'm taking a 10 day holiday!

[handsofstone]

I've always fancied Mayweather to decision Pacquiao ,love watching both guys for different reasons,always felt Floyd had the edge in ringsmarts ,even when Manny was destroying everyone but despite both men being top of the tree,there's clearly slippage from both sides,Pacquiao being KO'd by Marquez the most important, but I've always thought if Mayweather was to be beaten it would be due to him being outworked rather than outboxed or KO'd

I can't help think though if judges can have Maidana taking so many rounds of Mayweather then the more recent busy,smart in and out combination punching from Pacquiao has success in this fight,Manny's style hasn't changed too much since he's lost his zip,but he has looked smarter since the Marquez KO

Where as even though I'm still having Floyd winning his fights well,he is becoming more negative and less busy which isn't ideal if he was already a counter puncher to start with

I'm not on the Pacquiao side just yet but I'm wavering

[Monte Fisto]

Similar here hos. If i had to put my house on it, i choose mayweather. BUT i just think there is big confidence from some floyd fans thinking it will be easy, and i don't see this as an easy fight whatsoever. Manny is massively dangerous in this fight, especially if he gets busy as hell. he's so much better than maidana in every aspect, and i love el chino. Manny is so accurate, fast and spiteful - even now! Also, you have to imagine manny is going to be so focussed on his training for this and be in tip top condition. he's gonna bring the heat, and i can't wait for this fight!

[Carbo]

It’s still a fight between the P4P best two in the world, and one in which the underdog has a real chance of winning.

And this is exactly why you don't understand the mindset of someone like myself, as I don't regard Pacman as being the second-best fighter in the world any more and I don't believe he has a real chance of winning.
I hope I'm wrong, but ironically for all the reasons you outline later, I think Mayweather absolutely cruises to an easy points win.

Like I said, I don't profess to be able to read people's minds.

On the above post, it seems to me that your view on this matter is predicated by your prediction that it would be an easy win for Mayweather. I guess that if you feel certain that one fighter would easily win, then almost any fight would be less than interesting; however, I do wonder how this has changed in your mind in the last five years. Why would it have been a good fight then and not now?

[Deserter]

It’s still a fight between the P4P best two in the world, and one in which the underdog has a real chance of winning.

And this is exactly why you don't understand the mindset of someone like myself, as I don't regard Pacman as being the second-best fighter in the world any more and I don't believe he has a real chance of winning.
I hope I'm wrong, but ironically for all the reasons you outline later, I think Mayweather absolutely cruises to an easy points win.

Like I said, I don't profess to be able to read people's minds.

On the above post, it seems to me that your view on this matter is predicated by your prediction that it would be an easy win for Mayweather. I guess that if you feel certain that one fighter would easily win, then almost any fight would be less than interesting; however, I do wonder how this has changed in your mind in the last five years. Why would it have been a good fight then and not now?

As I said, it's for all the reasons you've already mentioned - Pac has slowed down and he's lost that 'killer instinct'... for me he hasn't shown the type of skill-set needed to be seriously competitive with Mayweather since 2011.

[jamesmcdonnell]

I have to disagree with those who are arguing that they aren't bothered by this fight. I don’t profess to be able to jump into people’s minds, but I do wonder whether this might have a bit of wanton contrariness in it.

Nobody was more disappointed than me about Mayweather’s (as I saw it) lack of willingness to make that fight happen when it should have. It actually made me lose my interest in boxing altogether. Call me a fairweather fan if you like, but I used to post a lot around here, as some might remember, and I just completely lost faith with a sport that would i) fail to make the obvious fights to decide who was best and ii) stab itself in the eye so often.

I couldn’t bring myself to be interested in fights that weren’t that. What was the point of a sport in which we could never know who was the best?

But here’s the thing, now it’s made, I’m excited again. I feel my love of the sport resurfacing like magma from an underwater volcano, slowly pushing land up above the waterline.

So I find it difficult to think that folks like yourselves, obviously enthusiasts and more connected with the sport than I am at the moment, don’t get at least a twinge in your ladyparts about this one. Despite the fact they’ve both lost a step, and despite the fact Pacquiao has had a couple of losses meantime, it’s still a fight between the P4P best two in the world, and one in which the underdog has a real chance of winning. It’s miles, miles better in terms of time after it’s ideal moment than Lewis Tyson or Leonard Hearns II, and the atmosphere and excitement in the buildup to those was electric.

For what it’s worth, I don’t think that Mayweather’s legs are quite what they were. His accuracy hasn’t gone, his handspeed hasn’t degenerated in the way Pacquiao’s has, but he’s simply not as mobile as he was back in the day. He stands in the pocket far more than he used to. Given how Pacquaio looked in the rematch against Bradley (definitely short of the pop he had when he first moved to 147, definitely slower of hand, definitely not as aggressive as he was, and definitely not quite giving the angles he used to, but busy, hard hitting and fast), I think Mayweather is a 2-1 or more favourite, but that it's still a more even match now than at any stage since 2010-11.

I agree - and I actually think that Mayweather's relative lack of mobility might make this fight very tight.

I'm not convinced Mayweather will be able to land enough shots to steal the rounds - Pacquaio will definitely be throwing more shots, and even if few of them land - Vegas judges always seem to be swayed by aggression.

I predict that we will have a late rounds tear up, or something approaching it, as I think Mayweather will be forced to stand and fight. Pacman is a very quick starter, and is always impressive in the first 4 - and Mayweather usually slow - mayweather could be well down come the half way mark.

I think Mayweather is tough enough, and hits hard enough to keep Pacman honest in a pocket exchange like that, and his accuracy certainly hasn't diminished.

Perhaps my optimisim is overriding rationality, but I actually think this will be an excellent fight, maybe even a great one.

Sometimes you get better fights from fighters with eroding skills or physical attributes.

[Tuan_Jim]

Pacman has been in my opinion simply coasting. He doesn't need to go all out to beat these fellows. Roach has had him on the leash, waiting for this fight. Floyd will find himself wrapped in a terrifying downpour of fist-shaped Philippino smart bombs!