Quote Originally Posted by Taeth View Post
I think people are going a little overboard on both sides, this has all the makings to be a close, tough fought fight. Both of them fight at an incredibly high level, both have their weaknesses that seem to work perfectly for the other fighter, both are the same speed, while one throws combinations faster, the other gets off faster and is harder to hit. Both have insane cardio and could go hard for 24 rounds if they needed to.

A lot of people expect Mayweather to run and counter punch, but I think he comes forward with his hands held high, thats how he likes to fight southpaws, and unlike Oscar or Hatton he is still really hard to hit, especially if you start throwing combinations, because he is still really light on his feet and has those amazing reflexes. Like I said Manny is so much a pure counter puncher as much as he catches you while he is going backwards. Hatton is easy for anyone with speed to counter, Paulie was albe to do it when he threw his right hand, Collazo did it all night, as did Mayweather. If you have the speed to react to Hatton he is wide open for the counter. Against Oscar, Manny didn't counter as much as move away and attack when Oscar was chasing. I personally consider counter punching when you slip a punch and connect solidly ala Roy JOnes Jr. Judah has as good of countering skills as anyone when he is a) sharp and b) throwing punches. I could see Mayweather coming forward and not giving Pacquiao the oppertunity to get off punches. LIkewise I can see Pacquiao throwing 10 punches where Judah woudln't throw anything and force Mayweather to be defensive and win on aggression and output.

Good post. A chess match indeed. Will Mayweather lay back and counter or will he press the action? Manny will probably have a clear strategy if Mayweather will decides to counter most of the night. I will see him darting in and out. Potshots here and there. Now if Floyd pushes the action with hands raised as you mentioned, Manny will have to learn to effectively fight backwards or work the angels. I remember this was the strategy of Morales in the second fight. They felt Manny could not fight backwards. You actually see Morales lunging after MP.

Tough to call. I see the first few rounds to be feeling rounds with each fighter wanting to impress during the last 15 secs of the round. Floyd's jab will be the key in keeping Manny off balanced. Manny will have to catch floyd using an angled approach and hurt him to turn the tide in his favor. Whoever keeps his cool and sticks to his gameplan will win. If both will stick to their game plan and keep their cool...its a draw for me.

If Manny gets frustrated and start throwing bombs he loses. If Floyd becomes lazy and gets caught with a whopper, he goes down.

Forecast: Floyd comes forward. Uses his jab effectively. Will win a few early rounds. Manny will measure, keep his cool and adjust. Manny catches him and hurts him in the 9th round. Floyd will fight defensively there after. Manny will start applying pressure and goes on to win the fight via 11th round stoppage.