Why would Mayweather be scared of Pacquiao?

[Taeth]

Stylistically I don't think people get how tailor made Manny is for Floyd. His bouncing, rhythm based style makes it so easy for Mayweather read when what Manny will be doing, and Floyd will figure him out in a couple of rounds and beat him to the punch for the rest of the fight ala Mosley. The biggest problem with Manny's style is that he loses balance, position at the end of a combination, and he needs a specific rhythm and distance to get off effectively, Marquez either stayed too close or too far away and Floyd would do the same thing, and he would pepper Pacquiao with lead right hands followed by the left hook then lots and lots of body shots. I think by the sixth round that Manny would be in a totally defensive shell where he would be too frustrated and try to load up more, but it would only make it easier for Floyd to beat him to the punch and hit him even more.

I just don't see Manny as his biggest challenge, IMO Bradley in a few fights will be a more significant threat because of how well rounded and skilled he is.

[erik_corrales]

exactly. then why all this bickering? lets just get this fight over with.

the gag order on the negotiations gives me this feeling its definitely happening. get ready to be hyped to the max.

[Dizaster]

There isn't any logical reason that can be seen why Mayweather would be scared of Pac....

But I think Mayweather, in spite of pretending he doesn't give a shit about anything except money, cares a lot for his big "zero"...

To work his way to the top, he did what it took.. Which didn't involve making demands extreme demands which ventured away from the boxing norm...

But he reached the top, had his break and time to think about everything, and now he's back, he really wants to protect that zero.... So the first thing is instate a rule into his personal fights where everyone must have extreme drug testing... An extra insurance he doesn't give one minuscule advantage to an opponent... He CLEARLY states he is NOT interested in fights for Legacy, ONLY money.... Meaning anyone who can actually challenge Mayweather he won't consider unless they will bring a giant pay day... Eliminating another way his zero could be jeopardized. Then when the only pay day in town, pacquiao won't agree to the tests, he threatens to have another 2 year break...

I don't think he's scared of Pac.. I think he would 100% believe he can beat Pac.. As a lot of people think... But he's clearly hanging on to something and "scared" to let it go....

I just think it's a slight contradiction to say all he wants is money and that's all he cares about, yet possibly the biggest $$$ fight in history he is refusing to bend in any direction to make happen.... Hundreds of thousands of boxers before him have stepped in the ring under the current drug testing commission rules, and fought their guts out for themselves and for fans of boxing...

Mayweather should very much be campaigning with the boxing commission to bring in stronger testing. I think that is a good idea.. But denying everyone great fights to instate these rules himself for maybe the last 1 or 2 fights of his career, is a bit perplexing, and I find it hard to believe his thoughts are truly only about cleaning up boxing.. Of course he will have convinced himself that that is why he's being so solid about it, but Pac has agreed to more testing than the commission demands, the same commission that was good enough for him for this first 40 or so fights to get him rich, the same commission that every other boxer out there fights under, and has done for the past 100 years...

There are ways and processes to go through to change the drug rules for the good of boxing, but he's doing it for himself because he's scared of something..

[piye]

Simply put Floyd is not scared of any fighter no elite professional fighter is scared of another if it's my job to fight fear does not come into it.

Floyd trusts the word of his father who was the first guy to start this drug testing bullshit. And Pac should have just taken the tests.

[Gandalf]

He probably isn't scared of Manny, but this fight above all others seems incredibly difficult to make. I don't put all the blame on Mayweather as he in the right on the drug testing issue, but there is no need to say silly things like "I'm not going to fight for two years" either.

[UKPH]

Thats why im thinking, Floyd is exceptionally the best no doubt, he could easily win and get $25 or maybe $40M by fighting Pacquiao. Just wondering why he could say some silly things he needs to rest or retire for another year or two.

Strange but here some points i consider, 1. Drug testing which already heard Pac agreed even on a 14thday which failed the first negotiation 2.avoiding fighting a lefties or southpaw. 3. Or on money 50/50 then 60/40.

here some old articles / audio clip from Mayweather Sr. regarding fighting a southpaw fighters

Floyd Mayweather Sr “My son will never fight Manny Pacquiao” --- audio May 2010
&
Floyd Mayweather Sr.: “Floyd would beat Pacquiao easier than he beat Shane” - May 2010 also regarding fighting a Martinez also a southpaw.

[JonesJrMayweather]

Stylistically I don't think people get how tailor made Manny is for Floyd. His bouncing, rhythm based style makes it so easy for Mayweather read when what Manny will be doing, and Floyd will figure him out in a couple of rounds and beat him to the punch for the rest of the fight ala Mosley. The biggest problem with Manny's style is that he loses balance, position at the end of a combination, and he needs a specific rhythm and distance to get off effectively, Marquez either stayed too close or too far away and Floyd would do the same thing, and he would pepper Pacquiao with lead right hands followed by the left hook then lots and lots of body shots. I think by the sixth round that Manny would be in a totally defensive shell where he would be too frustrated and try to load up more, but it would only make it easier for Floyd to beat him to the punch and hit him even more.

I just don't see Manny as his biggest challenge, IMO Bradley in a few fights will be a more significant threat because of how well rounded and skilled he is.

seriously doubt manny will tire after a round and half and once he realizes floyd doesn't punch worth anything, he'll bounce in and out and give floyd a very hard time..although he'll still lose, but he'd gt rounds off of activity alone...

[Taeth]

Stylistically I don't think people get how tailor made Manny is for Floyd. His bouncing, rhythm based style makes it so easy for Mayweather read when what Manny will be doing, and Floyd will figure him out in a couple of rounds and beat him to the punch for the rest of the fight ala Mosley. The biggest problem with Manny's style is that he loses balance, position at the end of a combination, and he needs a specific rhythm and distance to get off effectively, Marquez either stayed too close or too far away and Floyd would do the same thing, and he would pepper Pacquiao with lead right hands followed by the left hook then lots and lots of body shots. I think by the sixth round that Manny would be in a totally defensive shell where he would be too frustrated and try to load up more, but it would only make it easier for Floyd to beat him to the punch and hit him even more.

I just don't see Manny as his biggest challenge, IMO Bradley in a few fights will be a more significant threat because of how well rounded and skilled he is.

seriously doubt manny will tire after a round and half and once he realizes floyd doesn't punch worth anything, he'll bounce in and out and give floyd a very hard time..although he'll still lose, but he'd gt rounds off of activity alone...

When have we ever seen Mosley tire in a fight? Or look tired? Not when Cotto was connecting with hard shots, or De La Hoya. Even against Winky Wright and Forest he always responded and did better in the late rounds, but against Mayweather he was made to look tired/old because he was always getting of second, and Mayweather was always giving him different angles which made Mosley's money punches appear unavailable and before MOsley could think about adapting or altering his plan of attack Mayweather would come in with pin point accuracy and Mosley would get hit by clean blows then he would get knocked back to step 1, and Mayweather would continually stay one step ahead of him the entire fight.

Pacquiao didn't get tired against Marquez in either fight because of obviously he came on strong late, and he always gets into insane shape, but look how many rounds his defining edge was taken away by the subtle movement and timing Marquez employed against him. The difference between Mayweather and Marquez is that Mayweather is far faster, and he's far harder to hit. Not only that but he's a better inside fighter. On the outside Mayweather will time Pacquiao, and on the inside he will hit Pacquiao with little quick punches and Pacquiao on the inside usually resorts to holding his hands beside his ears and he moves away or he ties up awkwardly. If he runs away as soon as those hands come down Mayweather will be right there to hit him, thus not allowing him to get off, and if he tries to tie up awkwardly Mayweather will create space with his forearm and hit Pacquiao with quick little shots. These things don't knock guys out, but when it is happening over and over again, it creates frustration and hopelessness in the opponent, and the more they get frustrated or hopeless the better it is for Mayweather who feeds on that type of mentality. Because frustrated fighters abandon defense and often throw slower, heavier punches.

I think Pacquiao is way too good not to give Mayweather any problems early, but I think as the fight progresses and Mayweather understands Pacquiao's style better and better he will take control in a similar manner as he did against Shane.

[JonesJrMayweather]

Stylistically I don't think people get how tailor made Manny is for Floyd. His bouncing, rhythm based style makes it so easy for Mayweather read when what Manny will be doing, and Floyd will figure him out in a couple of rounds and beat him to the punch for the rest of the fight ala Mosley. The biggest problem with Manny's style is that he loses balance, position at the end of a combination, and he needs a specific rhythm and distance to get off effectively, Marquez either stayed too close or too far away and Floyd would do the same thing, and he would pepper Pacquiao with lead right hands followed by the left hook then lots and lots of body shots. I think by the sixth round that Manny would be in a totally defensive shell where he would be too frustrated and try to load up more, but it would only make it easier for Floyd to beat him to the punch and hit him even more.

I just don't see Manny as his biggest challenge, IMO Bradley in a few fights will be a more significant threat because of how well rounded and skilled he is.

seriously doubt manny will tire after a round and half and once he realizes floyd doesn't punch worth anything, he'll bounce in and out and give floyd a very hard time..although he'll still lose, but he'd gt rounds off of activity alone...

When have we ever seen Mosley tire in a fight? Or look tired? Not when Cotto was connecting with hard shots, or De La Hoya. Even against Winky Wright and Forest he always responded and did better in the late rounds, but against Mayweather he was made to look tired/old because he was always getting of second, and Mayweather was always giving him different angles which made Mosley's money punches appear unavailable and before MOsley could think about adapting or altering his plan of attack Mayweather would come in with pin point accuracy and Mosley would get hit by clean blows then he would get knocked back to step 1, and Mayweather would continually stay one step ahead of him the entire fight.

Pacquiao didn't get tired against Marquez in either fight because of obviously he came on strong late, and he always gets into insane shape, but look how many rounds his defining edge was taken away by the subtle movement and timing Marquez employed against him. The difference between Mayweather and Marquez is that Mayweather is far faster, and he's far harder to hit. Not only that but he's a better inside fighter. On the outside Mayweather will time Pacquiao, and on the inside he will hit Pacquiao with little quick punches and Pacquiao on the inside usually resorts to holding his hands beside his ears and he moves away or he ties up awkwardly. If he runs away as soon as those hands come down Mayweather will be right there to hit him, thus not allowing him to get off, and if he tries to tie up awkwardly Mayweather will create space with his forearm and hit Pacquiao with quick little shots. These things don't knock guys out, but when it is happening over and over again, it creates frustration and hopelessness in the opponent, and the more they get frustrated or hopeless the better it is for Mayweather who feeds on that type of mentality. Because frustrated fighters abandon defense and often throw slower, heavier punches.

I think Pacquiao is way too good not to give Mayweather any problems early, but I think as the fight progresses and Mayweather understands Pacquiao's style better and better he will take control in a similar manner as he did against Shane.

Guy its kind of hard to buy that when shane was sucking air while floyd was dazed and confused....Was it eventual that floyd would have adapted? YES, certainly..but from the time mosley wobbled him, floyd didn't do anything to cause mosley's mouth to be open gasping for air...he was sucking air before floyd landed any clean punches....