After his two-round demolition of Ricky Hatton, it’s pretty difficult to make Manny Pacquiao an underdog against anyone in the fight game today. Even against someone as skillful as Floyd Mayweather Jr.
In fact, I believe that the immensely-improved Pacquiao of today will beat little Floyd should they eventually meet inside the ring. And there’s too much money involved in this particular fight for it not to happen.
Despite Mayweather’s immaculate fight record, he is not unbeatable. And Pacquiao’s speed and improved boxing skills will give Money, well, a run for his money.
Three years ago, Mayweather fought Zab Judah for the IBF welterweight title. The fight turned ugly before the end of the 10th round when Judah hit Mayweather with a low blow. This led to an ugly melee in the center of the ring as Floyd’s uncle/trainer Roger Mayweather and Zab’s father Yoel Judah almost came to blows. Eventually, security was able to restore order and Floyd won the fight by unanimous decision. However, before the ugly incident, Judah’s speed was giving Mayweather fits. And this was because of Judah’s sleek, southpaw style.
Sure, Pacquiao is not one of the sleekest southpaws out there, compared to, say, one Pernell Whitaker. But he is not the one-dimensional left-handed slugger that lost to Erik Morales in their first fight four years ago, either. This Pacquiao is a more complete fighter as we saw in his last four fights. He now has a powerful right hook to complement his vaunted straight left, he is an elusive target with his improved head and lateral movement, and although he is not a defensive whiz compared to Mayweather or Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao’s improved footwork and superb foot speed makes him a fleet-footed gazelle inside the ring— a far cry from the bull rushing and come-forward Pacquiao of old.
Then there is the activity factor. Floyd Mayweather Jr. is coming off his second retirement, and his last fight was against Ricky Hatton almost two years ago. While Mayweather has been inactive from the ring, Pacquiao has been fighting against bigger and stronger opponents and winning impressively against them. Not only that, Pacquiao seems to be able to defy the odds by bringing his power and speed with him with each weight division he climbs.
Another thing to note is the way both fighters handled Oscar De La Hoya and Hatton respectively. In their fight, De La Hoya gave Mayweather all he could handle and even managed to go the distance against Floyd. Pacquiao, on the other hand, forced De La Hoya to quit on his stool after eight rounds of punishment. Of course many will argue that De La Hoya was a shell of his old self and was even dehydrated on the day of the fight. But we have to give Pacquiao the credit he deserves for climbing up several weight divisions to welterweight and battering the much bigger De La Hoya into retirement.
And what about Hatton? The Hitman climbed up to Mayweather’s weight division and Floyd needed 10 rounds to finish him off. Pacquiao fought at Hatton’s weight class, a weight class where the Hitman was undefeated. The Pacman destroyed Hatton in two rounds.
The way I see it, if the fight pushes through, Pacquiao will pressure Mayweather with lightning combinations. Mayweather will use his defensive skills to try to fend off Pacquiao’s attacks, all the while trying to counterpunch, but to no avail. Mayweather is quick, but Pacquiao is quicker. Mayweather is naturally bigger and he is strong, but Pacquiao will be the stronger puncher. Mayweather is a defensive whiz but it won’t be enough against a pinpoint puncher with a lot of pop.
Pacquiao will make Mayweather look like an amateur.
Pacquiao, the more aggressive fighter (and this time, he will fight with controlled aggression) will force Mayweather to fight a defensive fight all night long. The Pacific storm inside the ring will overwhelm the Pretty Boy.
Manny Pacquiao by unanimous decision. 
