BoxRec

This forum has never been quite the same in regards to Mythical Match-ups since the introduction of the very popular Hypothetical Match-up Game thread. A great thread which has added plenty to the forum, doubtless, but it leaves in-depth discussion on the subject a little wanting. Let's have some analysis for these two Featherweight bouts!

Manny Pacquiao vs. Sal Sanchez. 12 Rounds!

Henry Armstrong vs. Sandy Saddler. 15 Rounds!

Is it the actual 126 lb. Pacquiao, or the guy who rehydrated to the mid-130's at Featherweight?

For Armstrong-Saddler I'd say Hank wins it. I think his overwhelming stamina and workrate would've had Sandy fouling him every chance he got but never scoring cleanly often enough. Hank takes it clearly on points.

Diamond WEAPON wrote:Is it the actual 126 lb. Pacquiao, or the guy who rehydrated to the mid-130's at Featherweight?

For Armstrong-Saddler I'd say Hank wins it. I think his overwhelming stamina and workrate would've had Sandy fouling him every chance he got but never scoring cleanly often enough. Hank takes it clearly on points.

You may choose which Pacquiao. I was thinking along the lines of the one re-hydrating. Sanchez is an almost preter-naturally gifted counter-puncher, & Pacquiao is so offensively-inclined, I thought it would make a great, great test for Pacquiao's offense & Sanchez's countering abilities alike.

Goodnight, Irene wrote:

Diamond WEAPON wrote:Is it the actual 126 lb. Pacquiao, or the guy who rehydrated to the mid-130's at Featherweight?

For Armstrong-Saddler I'd say Hank wins it. I think his overwhelming stamina and workrate would've had Sandy fouling him every chance he got but never scoring cleanly often enough. Hank takes it clearly on points.

You may choose which Pacquiao. I was thinking along the lines of the one re-hydrating. Sanchez is an almost preter-naturally gifted counter-puncher, & Pacquiao is so offensively-inclined, I thought it would make a great, great test for Pacquiao's offense & Sanchez's countering abilities alike.

I'll go with the Pacquiao from the Ledwaba fight since he was just 129 lbs. on fight night and 3 lbs. isn't a major stretch in the same day.

I'd say Sanchez wins a decision over Manny, who at that point was too linear and not angular enough with his in-and-out bursts. If there was a guy who could time those at least as good as Marquez and Morales did, it'd be Sanchez, and regardless of how much Manny would want to make it into a physical battle I think Salvador would've been physically strong enough to force Manny to hold back some similar to spots in the first Morales fight where Erik got the better of Manny trading. Sanchez by clear UD just a little wider than Morales I.

Do you see Pacquiao's unusual reach (in-tandem with his obvious handspeed) at the weight being a factor against Sanchez, to any degree?

Goodnight, Irene wrote:Do you see Pacquiao's unusual reach (in-tandem with his obvious handspeed) at the weight being a factor against Sanchez, to any degree?

In the beginning yes, but I think Salvador would adjust and start timing the bombs that would be getting hurled his way. The key was to sidestep Manny and counter him as he threw (it's probably still the key).

Pacquiao vs Sanchez: The jab, jab, left hand Pacquiao would lose to Sanchez by Unanimous Decision most likely, I'm not so sure that the Pacquiao who fought Marquez in 2008 would beat Sanchez either. He'd definitely fair better in that fight though. Sanchez feasted on aggressive fighters and Pac is nothing if not aggressive so I think he has the style to make Sanchez shine, but it'd be a great fight regardless.

Armstrong vs Saddler: Saddler is probably one of the hardest punchers in the Featherweight division, and one of the dirtiest. So he could damn sure make this tough for Armstrong. But I see Armstrong outworking Saddler with windmill style and winning 9 of the first 10 or 11 rounds, though they'd still be competitive rounds. I could see Saddler's low blows and thumbs to the eye wearing down Armstrong a little towards the end of the fight, causing him to experience his biggest scares of the fight in the last 3 rounds. But he'd stand up through it all and take a hard fought decision over 15 rounds.

Move Pacquiao to #1 lb-4-lb

12 rounds would swing the odds in Pac's favour.

Ezzard wrote:12 rounds would swing the odds in Pac's favour.

Any thoughts on Armstrong-Saddler?

Possibly the divisions hardest puncher, a featherweight with a longer reach than Rocky Marciano, fighting an aggressive come-forward swarmer…well all the usual logic dictates Saddler should win. But Armstrong had a career that defied boxing logic.

It’s a 50-50 fight for me. The issue is whenever I think of a solid reason why one guy wins I cannot put it into words because I feel like a fool for picking against the other.

If I had to pick one to win at 126 I go for Saddler. Armstrong seemed even better by the time he got to 135. And that was really where his legend was made.