Brian’s Boxing Mailbag (Debating Floyd Mayweather JR vs. Manny Pacquiao)

By Brian Wilbur-December 7, 2009

Hey Everyone. Thanks for visiting Ringside Report and checking out my column. I have a ton of emails to get to this week since the Pacquiao fans are out in full force trying to convince me that their guy is going to beat Floyd Mayweather, JR. in the proposed mega fight.

I will get to the questions, but first I would like to recap the week’s fights. Between MMA and boxing there are a handful of important events. In case you have been away, here is what you missed:

-Roy Jones got knocked out, this time by Danny Green, once again proving that he is in even worse shape than Evander Holyfield and needs to retire five years ago.

-Some fat guy won the Ultimate Fighter.

-Paul Williams had a tough time in a fight he was supposed to dominate.

-We found out that Sergio Martinez is a much better boxer than Pierre Benoist is a Boxing Judge.

-Bernard Hopkins thinks that Australia is in Europe.

-Kimbo Slice won a fight, but still could not convince anyone that he isn't a fraud.

-Chris Arreola's ego is overinflated to the point where he actually thinks he can beat Tony Thompson. I'd have “Tiger” Thompson as a 3 to 1 favorite if that bout comes to fruition.

If you would like to talk about those topics, about Pacquiao vs. Mayweather, or any other boxing related topic, send in your emails and questions to be answered in next week's mailbag. Thanks and enjoy.

Wilbur The Biased Pacquiao Hater

Sir Brian,

I just can't help but notice your enormous faith, boarding on fanaticism, in Mayweather's skills. I have great respect in your opinion, but looking at your past to mailbags, makes me wonder if you do really keep an open mind.

Your quote from last week:

"If a tired and defeated Miguel Cotto could still snap Manny's head back with a jab, the surely Mayweather's better quicker jab could do even more damage. If the above average technical boxer Erik Morales could outbox Manny, then what would the extraordinary boxing genius Mayweather do to him?"

Have you considered the thought that maybe Pacquiao just didn't respect Cotto's punches to the point that he would even ignore whether those punches would hit him, as long as he can hit back? And Mayweather has way, way softer jab than Cotto. Yes, sharper and faster maybe. But harder? I don't think so. Though I don't really give much weight on Erik Morales out-boxing Pacquiao in their first match (Pacquiao was cut early, surely, that would affect him), I am also really disappointed in the way you demean Erik Morales by calling him "above average" so just you could somehow "exaggerate" (by calling him a genius) your point on Mayweather's skills, which is (for your realization) suspect to most boxing pundits if you consider the quality of his opponents.

Your other quote from last week:

"I see this as a styles match up between two elite, evenly matched boxers. My personal choice favors the length, jab, and defensive ability of Mayweather over the speed, power, and relentless aggression of Pacquiao."

"Evenly matched," you say?! Well, it sure didn't read like it in your past two articles.

Respectfully yours,

-Reagan Loberternos

Reagan,

You took my first quote out of context. I was playing devil's advocate to an emailer who was saying similar quotes in favor of Pacquiao. I was showing him that you could play two sides to that game.

When I called Erik Morales an above average boxer I was not talking about his prowess as an overall fighter. Morales will be in the hall of fame some day and I have tremendous respect for him. When I say that "Morales is an above average boxer" I was talking solely about his defensive boxing ability (ie. his ability to stick and move). Morales, for all of his assets, is not known for that kind of fighting. Morales is known for his guts, fighter's instinct, bravery, versatility, and at the lower weight classes, his power. He is not known as a Pernell Whitaker-type slick boxer. Morales out-boxed Manny Pacquiao even though that kind of fighting is not his trademark fighting style.

Floyd Mayweather, on the other hand, is known exactly for that kind of fighting and he does it better than anyone else in his generation. His greatest examples of his unbelievable technical skills were the rematch against Jose Luis Castillo, Genaro Hernandez, and Carlos Baldomir. Mayweather has fought enough excellent opponents to prove his greatness against. It is true that he could have fought better opponents at the higher weight classes, but he still beat Hatton and De La Hoya before Pacquiao did and Baldomir was the recognized Welterweight Champion at the time. I've seen enough to know what Floyd can do.

So, when it comes to defensive boxing based off the jab, Morales is above average and Mayweather is a genius.

But as much as I am amazed at Mayweather's boxing skill, I am equally amazed at Pacquiao's speed, quickness, power, stamina, etc. That is why I see this as virtually an even fight.

Pacquiao Not Top 30 All Time Great

Mr. Brian,

Thanks for your response to my very first email to any boxing writer ever!

I'm a middle-aged Filipino boxing fan. Since my early teens in the mid 70's, I have followed not only my country's boxers but any good boxer before, then and after regardless of race, religion and creed.

In my boxing's all-time greats book, Manny Pacquiao is "only" in the top 75. That's because of the quality of the opposition at the time Manny Pacquiao faced them.

Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Juan Manuel Marquez had been beating each other up before Pacquiao fought them. Oscar De La Hoya was way past his prime, Hatton got clobbered by Floyd Mayweather already and Miguel Cotto was completely destroyed by Margacheato physically, but especially mentally.

I'm in no way downgrading my countryman's achievements. IMHO, he is not only just the best boxer the Philippines has ever produced, he is also the best Asian and southpaw boxer ever!

Mayweather is the closest still in his prime great boxer Pacquiao could face. If that fight happens and Pacquiao beats Mayweather, only then would I include Pacquiao in my top 30 all time great boxers (pound for pound).

-Tito

Tito,

I vehemently disagree with your take on Pacquiao's all time great status. I can't believe you can poo poo his wins over Marco Antonio Barrera, Erik Morales, and Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao stumbled upon a golden age of featherweights (similar to how Sugar Ray Robinson fought in a golden age of middleweights, or how Muhammad Ali fought in a golden age of heavyweights). Barrera, Morales, and Marquez will all be in the hall of fame one day, and Pacquiao beat all three of them, and arguably he beat them in their primes.

The fact that the other fighters that you mentioned, like Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto had lost previously does not take away the fact that they were very well respected and considered to be at the top of their respective divisions.

Floyd Mayweather is a fellow all time great in his prime and is the best boxer that Pacquiao will have ever faced. You say a win over Mayweather puts him top 30 all time. I say Pacquiao is already top 30 and a win puts him in the top 10.

Interesting email since I was expecting flack for not having Pacquiao high enough, not the other way around.

Mayweather Can’t Represent Himself

Hi Brian,

I read some of your replies to your mailbag, and I agree with some of your judgments. I just want to know where are the Mayweathers now? I haven’t heard much about them after the Cotto destruction (the legitimate), and I’m quite surprised that no one from them could show up and do some sharing about what’s on their minds.

I wonder how big Pacman is now because Floyd needed aid from the Golden Boy Promotions CEO to make this fight happen. I thought Floyd was a businessman, that he was the boss. Why then, does he need someone to represent him on this fight? Can’t he handle Pacquiao now?

-Dax

Dax,

Richard Shaeffer, the Golden Boy CEO, also represented Mayweather in the negotiations for the Juan Manuel Marquez fight. They must have some kind of business relationship and Floyd trusts him.

Don't think that the Mayweathers will stay quiet. They will be making all kind of accusations and wild statements during the fight build up, assuming this fight gets made.

Why Mayweather Will Lose

Hi Brian,

First time to send you an email. I just have some facts you have to consider as to why I believe Pacman will win.

1. a. If you watch Jose Luis Castillo vs. Floyd Mayweather 1 over and over again you will definitely see that Castillo clearly won that fight. Even Lederman and Merchant said so at the end of the fight. Hence, Mayweather thinking he is invincible is all smoke and mirrors. He is beatable.

b. Knowing that Castillo fought Mayweather twice. He has an idea of how strong Mayweather's punches are. That leads us to how did Castillo rate Pacman's punches? (Castillo was the sparring partner of Pacman for the Cotto fight) He said by far that Pacman’s punches were way harder and stronger than Mayweather’s.

2. Manny will take one punch to get four punches in. We all know Manny can take a punch. He is also elusive with his bob and weave but we also know if he gets hit he will retaliate with four or more punches in return. He is such a pressure fighter that he will cut and cut until he traps Mayweather on the ropes and I do feel his shoulder role won't hide everything because when Pacman throws combos from top to bottom something will open up whether the body or the head and surely Mayweather will get hit. Pac need milliseconds of an opening to get his punches through.

3. Castillo, Zab Judah, Oscar De La Hoya, and Ricky Hatton had all given Mayweather a hard time.

a. Zab, was effective in the early stages. He was fast and gave Mayweather a lot of problems, even gave Mayweather his first knockdown (his hands touched the canvas), but referee called it a slip. What Zab doesn't have that Manny has is there both fast but Pacman is a sharp shooter, even Bernard Hopkins noticed it. If you think Mayweather is accurate, Manny is as lethal in accuracy to.

b. De La Hoya was pressuring Mayweather throughout the fight. And he only got a split decision. Some can argue De La Hoya could have won the fight because he was the aggressor throughout the fight. Pacman obliterated De La Hoya. If De La Hoya can pressure Floyd, what more will a fast iron-chinned Pacman who will trade punches and is very accurate coming in do? Pacman will take one punch to get a lot more punches and punches that are so unorthodox even Mayweather won't expect to defend.

c. Castillo is slow and flat footed when he fought Mayweather twice, but still he landed some pretty decent shots, most especially when he got Money trapped on the ropes. What more will Pacman do who is so fast and accurate, small opening is all that Manny needs to throw his wicked left and let’s see if Floyd can hold on.

d. Hatton was competitive in the first and middle half of the fight with Mayweather and if you can recall Hatton got Money May with a left hook that almost dropped Mayweather to the canvas. A slow hooking Hatton can get his punches through and almost knock mayweather down, what more if it was Pacman's vaunted left that is faster and stronger? How will may take that punch? For me, Mayweather is a great defensive fighter but to say he will not get hit if he fights Pacman is ridiculous. Same as what roach said before the Cotto fight that they will take Cotto's left away from him. It doesn't mean Manny will not get hit with Cotto's left, they will just lessen getting hit by Cotto's left. Same as Mayweather even though I know how good a master he is in the art of defense. Pacman will hit him surely and we all know when you get hit flush by Pacman the fight changes; so fast like how Pacman got Cotto on the 3rd and 4th making a different tide. Pacman chewed him up. Mayweather can run 12 rounds but when Pacman get his straight left or his right hook perfectly I'm sure Mayweather will be too dazed to see all of Pacman's combos and it will be over by then.

All I'm saying with these facts is that I can clearly say Mayweather will have a very hard time winning over Pacman. If you guys think Mayweather is the Kryptonite for Pacman it can also be said Pacman is the Krytonite for Mayweather, it can go both ways.

So for me it’s a 50-50 fight. But if Manny wins it's going to be by KO. If Mayweather wins it will be by split decision because he will win by pot-shotting and running, pot-shotting and running, rinse, repeat.

If that happens and Mayweather wins by that style then he should change sports because that truly is bad for boxing. If he doesn't show any combos hitting Pacquiao, it will definitely be uncalled for and an act of cowardice on his part. If he doesn't mix it up with combos, even if he wins, I will have Pacman as the better fighter because we all know Pacman has the heart of a lion.

Thanks for reading my email. Hope to hear your point of view knowing these facts. God Bless.

-Spoon

Spoon,

1. I agree with you that Mayweather was beaten that first fight against Jose Luis Castillo. In the rematch though, Mayweather boxed his way to a clear unanimous decision. Mayweather perhaps was sluggish and was not 100% mentally prepared for Castillo the first time.

I don't need Castillo's input to know that Pacquiao hits harder than Mayweather. Punching power is clearly an advantage for Manny.

2. Pacquiao has the edge in hand speed over Mayweather and that could present some problems. However, Floyd's greatest asset is his ability to completely nullify and shut down the offense of dynamic fighters. Nobody is able to tee off against Mayweather. Marquez was hardly able to land a punch. Corrales, one of the best offensive forces of his generation, hit nothing but air.

Pacquiao's last few opponents (Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, and Miguel Cotto) were all very good opponents but great defense was not their forte. They were all there to be hit and that spelled doom against Pacquiao. Mayweather will not be there to be hit like those recent opponents. Mayweather is going to fight more like Marco Antonio Barrera did in his second fight with Pacquiao.

3. Mayweather did struggle in those fights (well he hardly struggled against Hatton), but I never said that he was invincible. Pacquiao has struggled in many of his fights as well!

Where we agree is your last paragraph. Mayweather has never felt guilty about winning a fight ugly and I mentioned this when I originally picked Floyd to win. He is going to pot-shot, run, dodge, and run some more, just barely doing enough to win each round. Millions of people are going to tune in to give boxing a try only to be bored to tears by Mayweather's safety first approach. After the fight is done with, these potential new fans are going to say "I don't like boxing because it is boring".

I predict that Mayweather is going to hurt the sport because he does not care one bit about putting on a good show. That is the unfortunate truth. What could be and is being hyped as one of the greatest boxing matches of all time is going to end anticlimactically in disappointment as many of Floyd Mayweather's fights have.

Only those hardcore fans who paid extremely close attention and were scoring at home will have an opinion about who won because not much action at all will have transpired over the twelve rounds. A dominant performance on either side would surprise me because I don't think Mayweather will take enough chances to allow that to happen. He is so good defensively that it will not be a good fight unless he allows it to be.

Mayweather All Time Great Rank

Brian,

Simply put, where and how would you rate Money Mayweather as the Greatest of All Time?

-Rotciv54

Rotciv54,

He is in the top 80 or 90 range for all time greats. He is there based on his excellent track record at 130 and 135 pounds, knocking off top notch guys like Diego Corrales, Jose Luis Castillo, Genaro Hernandez, and Jesus Chavez.

The move up to 140 and 147 pounds obviously helps his legacy, but not as much as it could have. Ever since moving up from lightweight, Mayweather has not consistently fought the elite of those divisions like he had in the lower weight classes. He also struggled a bit against Zab Judah and Oscar De La Hoya. Wins over Juan Manuel Marquez, Ricky Hatton, and Carlos Baldomir were among the best of his career but still failed to move him to the next tier of all time great status. Those wins, for instance, pale in comparison to Manny Pacquiao's wins over Erik Morales, Marco Antonio Barrera, and Miguel Cotto.

Had Mayweather fought the likes of Kostya Tszyu, Miguel Cotto, Antonio Margarito, and/or Paul Williams when he had the chance then his legacy would be much better (assuming he would win those fights).

Pacquiao’s Secret Weapon

How are you Brian? Many boxers and Floyd Sr. accused Manny of taking steroids after his successive brilliant wins against good fighters. I think the secret of Manny’s success was his faith in God. He always emphasized that fight after fight. That's why he didn't predict any of his fights unlike Floyd Jr., he leaves it to God to decide who wins in his every fight. He believes in him and he knows that God always protects him, he prays every fight and he knows a lot of people are praying for him to win. He just does his best to make people happy and against Floyd Jr., if this fight is going to happen, it will be the best fight in this generation.

What can you say about steroids issues? Are you religious Brian? Do you believe divine interventions in boxing? Thanks and more power to your mailbag.

-jr2quiapo

Jr2quiapo,

I am not a very religious person. I have no problem with religion and was introduced to Christianity growing up, but I just don't think about these things very much if at all. So no, I don’t believe that God intervenes in boxing matches to help Manny Pacquiao.

I don't believe Manny Pacquiao is on steroids either. He has passed all of his drug tests. I don't blame people for pondering the question though. What he is doing at the higher weight classes defies logic and he does look ripped out of his mind with muscles. If you look at baseball, all of a sudden players started getting very muscular and did amazing things like ripping off 600 foot home runs. Pacquiao is doing the equivalent of hitting 600 foot home runs in boxing so naturally people are going to wonder if something is up. I think Manny is simply an amazing, freakish specimen. But I also thought that about Mark McGwire so maybe I am too naïve and trusting of people.

Advantages vs. Mayweather

Hi Brian,

Appreciated your blogs because you give such knowledgeable reasoning to your responses. Anyway, with regards to the awaited showdown between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, I think Manny could give Money his first loss. Here are my reasons:

1. Manny proved that he can take a heavy punch from a natural welter. So, how could Mayweather hurt or make Manny think twice about assaulting him?

2. Mayweather’s shoulder roll is a good defense, but Pacquiao won't be targeting his head but his body and arms which could be a factor.

3. Heavy punches from Manny versus sharp punches of Mayweather. Both could be lethal, but Pacquiao throws volume of combinations that Mayweather could not possibly evade or block all of it. My point is Mayweather needs to land a couple of punches to be damaging, while Pacquiao only needs to land one KO punch to end the fight.

4. Game plan and conditioning: I think Roach can produce a better game plan than Roger, but I don't think conditioning will be a problem for either fighter.

5. Will to win: Mayweather for money and Pacquiao for legacy.

Both could be the winner, it just depends on the first quarter of the fight. If Pac can have a lead or at least an even in the judges scorecard, then probably he can force Mayweather to engage more in a battle which is in favor to Pacquiao. But if the first three or four rounds is in favor Mayweather, then he could just keep on running and maintain his lead on scorecards.

Best regards,
-Suma

Suma,

1. I don't think that Mayweather can hurt Pacquiao either. Perhaps a perfectly timed shot would ring his bell but that is beside the point because that can happen to anyone. Mayweather doesn't need to hurt Pacquiao in order to win. Mayweather didn't hurt Carlos Baldomir and he won that fight with a near shut out.

2. Body shots from Pacquiao may or may not be a factor. I don't think they will be the difference in who wins the fight.

3. Again, Mayweather doesn't need to hurt or damage Pacquiao. Trading punches or gunning for the KO is the last thing that Floyd is going to, or should be trying to, do against Manny.

4. Conditioning is very strong for both fighters, with perhaps the slight edge for Pacquiao because he throws so many punches yet still does not get tired.

5. Mayweather doesn't know how to lose because he never has. “Money” Mayweather loves money but he is also mindful of his legacy. Mayweather loves to brag about his greatness and his undefeated record is his main talking point. Pacquiao wants to win due to legacy but also because he does not want to let down all of his fans in the Philippines.

I agree completely with your last paragraph. The first few rounds are going to be very important because they will set the tone of the match. If Mayweather shuts Pacquiao down in the first few rounds, it will be very hard to get Floyd to open up down the stretch. Manny needs to make an impression early and often against Mayweather. Mayweather is going to fight like a coward but that will probably cause him to end up with the win.

Mayweather vs. Pacquiao at 154?

Hi Brian,

Seems like Pacman vs. Mayweather is almost a done deal. However, I heard from some corners that Mayweather wanted to fight Pacman at 154lbs. With 10 oz. gloves. If this is true, it would seem like he is the champion instead of a challenger in this bout. It would be a shame on his part to fight Pacman at this weight (154lbs.) when even he just recently fought at 147lbs. and he knew that Pacman could not even reach 147lbs at his peak. What's your take on this?

-Erniepep

Erniepep,

This is the first I have heard of Mayweather insisting on 154 pounds. I am going to ignore it as just a rumor until I hear more about it. If this is true, this would be a Mayweather tactic for gaining an edge over Pacquiao, much like Pacquiao wanted his opponents to come down in weight so that he could gain an edge. In this case, I don't think that is fair to Manny. 147 pounds is where this fight should take place.

Opponents Pacquiao Passed Over

Hi Brian,

Good job in answering our questions, RSR really takes time to answer all the boxing fans around the world. I tried writing sensible questions to other mailbags and they don't even bother to answer, so kudos to you.

I'm a big Pacquiao fan but am a realist as well, I still think there are other boxers who can beat him as a matter of fact I think Mayweather might win if he plays it safe and does his usual hit and run boxing. I think Mayweather will have a hard time adjusting in the 1st and 2nd rounds but I think he will figure out Pacquiao rhythm in the 2nd half of the fight.

With so many challenges available it’s so disappointing watching Pacman go since there is no boxer I can see that can match his intensity, hard work and charisma. Philippine politics is dirty as well and I think he still has more years left in him since he is just peaking. Do you think he still has any mountains to climb once he fights and wins his last fight, may it be Mayweather or Mosley or Foreman?

With this I can't help but think what would have happened if Pac had time to fight all the challengers from Super Featherweight to Welterweight. Can you give us some predictions and analysis on the matches below if these fighters had challenged Pacquiao.

1. Pac vs. Edwin Valero @ SF
2. Pac vs. Humberto Soto @ SF
3. Pac vs. Joan Guzman @ LW
4. Pac vs. Nate Campbell @ SLW
5. Pac vs. Shane Mosley @ WW
6. Pac vs. Paulie Malignaggi @ SLW
7. Pac vs. Michael Katsidis @ LW

More power man.

Regards,
Maginoo "Pero" Bastos

Pero,

If Pacquiao beats Mayweather he should retire. That would cap off a near perfect career, and what a fabulous storybook ending. Any other fight after that, whether it was against Shame Mosley or whoever, would be a big step down. There would be nothing else left for him to prove. Perhaps he could fight once more in a farewell fight in the Philippines against someone who would trade with him, like Jose Luis Castillo.

Here are my picks for those match-ups:

1. Pacquiao vs. Valero - Pacquiao gets knocked down then gets up to win by KO.
2. Pacquiao vs. Soto - Pacquiao dominates from bell to bell.
3. Pacquiao vs. Guzman - Pacquiao by close decision in a tactical match.
4. Pacquiao vs. Campbell - This is a dangerous fight based on which version of Campbell shows up. Nate is wildly inconsistent, but when he is on, he is one of the best out there. I'll go with Pacquiao although Campbell has a penchant for upsets.
5. Pacquiao vs. Mosley - Mosley is slick and skilled but at his age I don't think he has the stamina or reflexes to keep up with Pacquiao. Manny by decision.
6. Pacquiao vs. Malignaggi - Pacquiao slips in a sweet straight left to win by KO.
7. Pacquiao vs. Katsidis - Absolute war! But one that Pacquiao would win, probably by TKO.

Guzman Exposed By Funeka

It seems that Ali Funeka’s job is to expose the black fighters who claimed that Pacman feared them because of their skill and color. Well, Nate Campbell and Joan Guzman were exposed by a mere Ali Funeka. If an Ali Funeka level guy can bust up Guzman, maybe Pacman feared he would kill Joan if he fought him! That would be a big burden to his conscience.

-Vinjo

Vinjo,

You talk as if Ali Funeka is a scrub. He obviously is not. Guzman was not "exposed". That term is reserved for up and coming prospects that are all hype and no substance. Guzman is a multiple division world champion with many impressive scalps on his resume. You cannot take away any of Joan's accomplishments because he had one bad outing.

Still, I was surprised at how poorly Guzman was able to do against Funeka. Guzman is, or at least was, one of the most skilled boxers in the world. Perhaps he had a one off, maybe Funeka is an emerging star, or perhaps he is past his prime already. We'll see based on the performance in his next match. But I repeat; he was not exposed. Joe Frazier wasn't exposed when he lost to George Foreman. Tommy Hearns was not exposed when he lost to Iran Barkely. Muhammad Ali was not exposed when he lost to Ken Norton. Good fighters lose from time to time.

There was a time that Guzman would have made a good opponent for Manny Pacquiao, but those days are obviously long gone.

Have a great week, see you next time!

Source: ringsidereport.com