05-02-2015, 08:58 PM
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Planar Protector
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 19,999
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Hey guys I found an article on this...can you spot something special in there?
Quote:
Five opponents have shared a ring with both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao en route to the rivals' eagerly-waited showdown in Las Vegas this Saturday.
While timings, circumstances, styles and weights make performances against their common foes an imperfect form guide, the results can help inform predictions.
Here, Sportsmail examines their fortunes against the five and the state the fighters were in after each of the fights.
OSCAR DE LA HOYA
Mayweather wins split decision, 2007
Pacquiao wins RTD 8, 2008
A year after dropping a split decision to Mayweather, De La Hoya's outstanding career was brought to a brutal end by Pacquiao. It was the last time Pacquiao entered a fight as underdog amid the belief the move up to welterweight would see him overwhelmed by a far bigger opponent, but instead it was a weight-drained De La Hoya who was crushed as the Filipino produced a career highlight.
Advantage: Pacquiao
He says: 'I'm inclining more, as the fight gets closer, to Pacquiao.'
RICKY HATTON
Mayweather wins TKO 10, 2007
Pacquiao wins KO 2, 2009
Hatton's gameplan of putting Mayweather under pressure was clinically picked apart by the pound for pound king's pinpoint accuracy and counter-punching. Once again, however, it was the blazing fists of Pacquiao that sent another fine boxer into retirement as Hatton was flattened by a chilling left hand in the second round that knocked him unconscious. Hatton's preparations were troubled by divisions within his camp, but he admits to not having foreseen Pacquiao's concussive punching power.
Advantage: Pacquiao
He says: 'I still go back to my initial feeling that Floyd will work out how to beat him, somehow.'
JUAN MANUEL MARQUEZ
Mayweather wins unanimous decision, 2009
Pacquiao draws, 2004
Pacquiao wins split decision, 2008
Pacquiao wins majority decision, 2011
Pacquiao loses KO 6, 2012
The odds were stacked heavily in Mayweather's favour for a fight that marked his comeback after nearly two years out of the ring, his failure to make the contracted 144lbs weight by 2lbs meaning he was forced to surrender a portion of his purse to Marquez. Marquez, who had never previously boxed above 135lbs but now scaled 142lbs, was schooled, yet it is the Mexican who has given Pacquiao problems like no other fighter, culminating in the savage one-shot knockout three years ago that placed the Filipino's career in grave doubt.
Advantage: Mayweather.
He says: 'Mayweather has the perfect style to win this fight. If Manny wins, it’s better for me. My heart is for Pacquiao [but] I think Mayweather is better than Pacquiao.'
SHANE MOSLEY
Mayweather wins unanimous decision, 2010
Pacquiao wins unanimous decision, 2011
Mosley was dominated by both fighters, dropping a pair of landslide points decisions, but for a moment of the second round against Mayweather a stunning upset seemed possible. A straight right hand had Mayweather in trouble, but the Las Vegas resident recovered brilliantly and went on to produce a technical masterclass. Pacquiao's win was every bit as comprehensive with Mosley never properly recovering from a third-round knock down. It was not the cautious American's finest hour with his desire to touch gloves at every opportunity drawing criticism.
Advantage: None
He says: 'I had Mayweather in trouble but he came through it well. Floyd to win.'
MIGUEL COTTO
Mayweather wins unanimous decision, 2012
Pacquiao wins TKO 12, 2009
Cotto gave Mayweather one of his most gruelling nights, enhancing his own reputation in the process. The tough Puerto Rican drew blood from the nose of his opponent and there were frequent exchanges before Mayweather's accuracy took its toll in the latter stages of the fight. Three years earlier, Pacquiao had produced probably a career-best performance against the same foe. Referee Kenny Bayless stopped the fight in the 12th round after a battered Cotto had been subdued by the speed and power of Pacquiao.
Advantage: Pacquiao.
He says: 'Manny has speed, power and Freddie in his corner. I’m picking the PacMan.'
VERDICT
Pacquiao would appear to have the upper hand when his demolition of De La Hoya, Hatton and Cotto are compared to Mayweather's less emphatic victories over De La Hoya and Cotto, but it is perhaps the fights against Marquez that offer the more revealing clues.
The counter-punching Mexican may have won only one of his four clashes with Pacquiao, but it was his style that gave him the greatest difficulties. And of the five opponents, it is the skilful Marquez who has the most similar style to Mayweather.
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Should be an interesting fight! I hope you get to see it [You must be logged in to view images. Log in or Register.] |
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