Pacquiao - Mosley Prediction

Once again, another mega-fight is coming up. It is the fight between Manny "Pacman" Pacquiao against "Sugar" Shane Mosley. It has been one of the fights most people have been anticipating in 2011. A potential match-up started between the two, with the inability of Floyd Mayweather Jr. facing Manny Pacquiao. Again, the dream match between both Mayweather and Pacquiao turned out to ruins, but what replaced it could be something close to the quality we get from a Pacquiao - Mayweather fight. Pacquiao - Mosley is one of the best fights out there. It has not been a secret, that Freddie Roach (Pacquiao's Trainer) wanted Sugar Shane Mosley to fight Manny Pacquiao. Although the world wanted Mayweather Jr. against Pacquiao, Freddie Roach thought otherwise. The build up is done, we are set to see this a few hours from now, and I predict this will be one of the greatest match-up's in boxing history.

Strengths:

Shane Mosley - He has tremendous experience, being able to beat legends like Oscar de la Hoya in his prime. Sugar has one of the best chins in boxing, being able to take punches from punchers like Miguel Cotto. He has tremendous hand speed and wicked power in both hands, as we saw how he beat the living daylights out of Antonio Margarito, and almost knocking Floyd Mayeather Jr. down.

Manny Pacquiao - A dynamic puncher who has one of the fastest hands in all of boxing. He has power in both hands, as he is able to knock fighters like Ricky Hatton out cold. The Pacman has tremendous footwork, able to move effectively in and out. He also knows how to throw punches in weird angles, where his opponents can't see where they come from. An overflowing stamina, as he just doesn't get exhausted even with a monster-like pace.

Weakness:

Shane Mosley - He is old, and we all know what age does to a fighter. They get weaker, being unable to pull the trigger. This perhaps will cause problems to his stamina, accuracy, and speed. He is not much of a defense man as well.

Manny Pacquiao - Noting his previous performance against Margarito, It is shown in the later rounds that he either was letting Margarito finish the bout, or was he just exhausted. Speculations like this open a possibility on this weakness. Pacquiao is an over-aggressive fighter, he may get caught with counter punches if he is not careful.

Prediction:

I can see the fight as a toss-up in the early rounds; Pacquiao starts fast and lands combinations, while Mosley will be looking to do both counter punching and effective aggression. I can see Mosley, getting hammered a lot to the chin with straight lefts from Manny. Mosley on the other hand perhaps getting to hurt Manny at least more than four times, as Sugar begins to throw wild combinations on a hurt Pacquiao. Both will be aggressive in the first four rounds. I also predict Mosley getting knocked down by Pacquiao early, probably a left straight or an uppercut. A knock-out can happen early, but if it does reach the distance, Mosley will be exhausted to the point where a Technical Knock out would occur in rounds six or seven. It cannot go past the seventh round.

Conclusion:

Manny Pacquiao will win by Technical knock-out in either rounds four or seven.

Note:

These are only predictions, and anything can happen in a boxing match. We cannot look down on Mosley's skills, for I believe, there is a high chance for Mosley to knock Manny down, and knock him out after the knock down. Mosley is a known finisher. Mosley also has the best chins in the business, he can take a punch, and thus, there is a relative chance that he does go the distance with Manny. Sugar Shane Mosley is a dangerous fighter.

Importance:

If Pacquiao knocks out Mosley, it will give a clear definition on who is Pound for Pound, the best in the world, as Floyd Mayweather Jr. had a tough time against Mosley, and he was unable to knock him out. In this instance, Manny will ask for the lion's share between Mayweather Jr., if a match-up will be held between the two. If Manny wins a decision, its gonna be 50/50 with Mayweather Jr., and I hope by this time, Money will take the fight. If Shane Mosley knocks Manny out, or wins a decision, it is clear that Mosley will be number two in the Pound for Pound rankings, and Mayweather Jr. as number one.

Picture: Promo Slogan of the upcoming Pacquiao - Mosley mega fight.

Pacquiao-Margarito Hype

As the upcoming Pacquiao-Margarito fight is fast approaching, I thought I'd be able to put some real analysis on how it's going to be played, my prediction, and it's significance. First off, I'd like to say that, I had a very bad day, but thanks to some posts in Facebook, I never thought that I'd be updated with the current "Face to Face segment with Max Kellerman" which featured both Pacquiao and Margarito. I've seen the previous segments of it, since the Pacquiao-Cotto fight, and it never fails to create some hype or bring interest to a viewer. I remembered the phrase "ding, ding, round one", for the Pacquiao-Cotto fight, as it signifies the awaiting of one of the most anticipated fights in boxing history. The current segment for Pacquiao-Margarito somehow, closed the day for me to smile again, and feel like shouting with aggression. I was like, "Man oh man!!" and you can hear me shouting "Oh yeah!" and up until now, every hair in my body is standing, just like some surge of adrenaline, being incorporated into my system. The entire clip in youtube, seems to look like some serious talk like they always do, and some indirect threats, that intrigues your mind, and make you unconsciously say that "This is gonna be a great fight" or "I can't wait til' these guys trade some leather." In the video, Pacquiao and Margarito were seated face to face, and as the discussion goes on, Freddie Roach said that Manny Pacquiao is going to knock Antonio Margarito in eight rounds. Margarito, in response, seemed to joke saying "does he see me crippled?", and Roach replied, "I've seen your last two fights", and that reply definitely put a serious face on Margarito. Knowing that Pacquiao has been dominating opponents, and is more often being favored to win by knock out, I thought that Margarito really has to put some serious thought on what he's getting into. That simple magic from HBO boxing, was enough to put some fire into my heart, that seemed to burn me inside with adrenaline. So the fight is going to be on the 13th of November, in the Dallas Cowboys Stadium, the Manny Pacquiao versus Antonio Margarito Fight.

How is it going to be played?

As a boxing analyst, (I have analyzed lots of fights that seemed to agree with my theories and expectations) I will point out the difference between the two, starting off with height. Margarito is taller than Pacquiao, as the fight goes along, I know it wouldn't be a factor. As I've seen Margarito's fights, he is the type who bends his head towards his chest, and is more of a slugger than a boxer. I can compare Margarito to Oscar de la Hoya, but in terms of skills, a prime De la Hoya, to me, is better. Pacquiao will be lunging in and out like he always does, which will help to his advantage. Pacquiao has better boxing ability compared to Margarito. I can picture, Margarito chasing on Pacquiao, as he is turning on angles, going in and out. In terms of speed, Pacquiao is on the clear advantage, hands down. The fight will seem to follow the same pattern of the De la Hoya-Pacquiao fight, as Manny will be utilizing his footwork, trying to turn Margarito, who is a slugger. In terms of power, I believe, Pacquiao should not take a gamble, and trade with Margarito. I suggest that he should be contented hammering him, with boxing. Margarito's uppercuts are lethal, but Pacquiao's "in and out" will neutralize that. Pacquiao will have an advantage of stance, as he is a southpaw. I expect, lots of left straights from Manny in this fight.

My Prediction

Pacquiao will win by knock out! An early knock down, is possible, perhaps in the third to fifth rounds. The knock out will come at rounds eight to ten. It will never go past round 10. Pacquiao will use some boxing in the early rounds, with some flashes of power, here and there. As the fight progresses, I can see Margarito slowing considerably on rounds six onwards. Pacquiao will take advantage on that reduction of speed, and will start hammering and trading shots at that point. Margarito will be on the defensive on the later rounds, and I can see Pacquiao chasing him, and pouring lots of punches. I say this, it's because, Margarito isn't much of a fast fighter, so I can see Pacquiao hurting Margarito early. As Margarito is being pummeled continuously, he won't be the same, that's why I said he'd slow down. All in all, the key for Pacquiao to winning the fight is, boxing ability, power, accuracy, foot work, angles, and speed. As for Margarito, if he could learn to counter effectively, it would make Pacquiao more hesitant, and would work to his advantage. Margarito should fight tall, and use that solid left jab of his. He should not expect a slug fest from Manny, because it's not going to happen, so the best way is for him to box effectively. The first who makes the mistake, will be the first to lose, that is why, patience is a virtue, especially in boxing.

It's Significance

If Manny Pacquiao will win this fight, it would make him an eight division world champion, putting him further to the top, as the first one to do it. The second fighter to win a championship in different divisions, only won at six weight classes, therefore, an eight division champion is definitely unheard of. It will cement his status as part of the Hall of fame, and an all time great. If Margarito will pull out an impressive upset, it will garner him the status as part of the elite rankings in his division, and pound for pound. If Margarito will win this, I think Floyd Mayweather Jr. will be top one, and Margarito will be top two respectively.

Final Thoughts

Again, all these are opinions, and anything can happen in the boxing ring. Manny Pacquiao and Antonio Margarito are great fighters, and I expect a great fight from them that people will talk for ages. HBO boxing has been so great for the sport, I wish they would continue to do what they do, in bringing excitement in major boxing events. I will leave you all with some words to ponder, as I say, "A challenge, is a food for champions, without them, there will be no champions."

Trivia

Antonio Margarito was banned for years due to illegal hand wrapping with a solution of "Plaster of Paris" after his fight with Sugar Shane Mosley.

Antonio Margarito has the same boxing nickname as I am, as he is the "Tijuana Tornado", my nickname is "Tornado".