Bingo. Manny overall might have faster hands than Floyd, but Floyd reacts so fast and pulls the trigger so quick, that he'll be hitting Manny more than Pac has ever been hit before. This is of course... if he can be the same fighter that beat Hatton, or at least close to it. I suspect that Floyd's handspeed and offensive reflexes will still be very good. What I'm worried about is will he have the same DEFENSIVE reflexes, and footwork. If he does... that I really cant see how Manny beats him. However if Floyd is more stationary, and not as quick to react on defense, then Manny has an excellent chance.
I see where you're going but I guess it depends on the nature of his retirement. Not boxing but still training regularly or sitting around drinking and 'making it rain'.
Yes. If he still actively trains then there shouldn't be any excuses as the 'retirement' lasted only about a year. If he's literally been doing nothing related to boxing then I'd say it's fair enough to say the layoff contributed.
So does Manny :: His reactions and speed to pull the trigger these days are off the scale. He's been landing punches and duckign punches at the same time. The expression on both Oscar and Ricky's faces were like "WTF?". I said before Floyd's best asset is probably how fast he THINKS in there, he's always thinking about what he's doing, where he needs to be, what he needs to throw etc. The problem is, this new evolved Manny thinks and reacts at least as fast, coupled with his insane raw physical speed.
A year ago I would have said Hell no! But now, Pacquiao is such a complete fighter with the atleticism to match Floyd that this fight is a toss up. Pacquiao can definately be the first to beat Floyd right now. Pacquiao always had the atletic ability but now he is a smart fighter and still agressive. Funny thing, not to long ago when Pacquiao had the second and third fights with Morales some clowns labeled him a "softie" just because he wasn't bum rushing his oponents like he used to. I think weather he wins or loses Pacquiao will definately make Floyd fight.
Floyd's defense wins this. Manny will chase and punch all night, but Floyd will time him and win, but not easily. 115-113 PBF.
This isn't 2003. Pacman can fucking BOX now, his defense and ring generalship are miles better than they were, as is his strategy in the ring. He's not going to be blindly following Floyd around trying to land bombs. Pacman by potshotting.
he's gotten better but its still a mild illusion. last time he fought a guy who wasn't a stationary and/or willing target he struggled, and as far as I'm concerned, lost.
JMM gave Pac huge trouble with his skills. Mayweather has better defence, better right hand and a better chin than JMM. Pac looks great against a made to order hypejob like Hatton but he would look pretty average in the ring with PBF.