Real danger signs for Manny Pacquiao from Floyd Mayweather

Something happened in Las Vegas this weekend. It was a wake-up call for the rest of the boxing world watching. One man above all others. Manny Pacquiao.

I liked the words he coughed up to Filipino journalists who watch Manny’s every move at home. I love the detail of what time he does what with whom and where. He is an athlete, a curiosity, an enigma, an unfolding world story of rags to riches, from poverty to politician.

He is a modern morality tale of the age. And, having met the man, as humble and simple as you prayed he would be when you shook hands and spoke.

But I fear for his bubble againt Mayweather. It may just burst.

Now don’t get me wrong. Manny has made huge improvements as a boxer, as well as a fighter. In the sense that I believe he would outstrip Juan Manuel Marquez if they met again.

There are reasons to justifiably lift him to that iconic pound for pound mantle, yet we were watching greatness in Floyd Mayweather’s performance against Juan Manuel Marquez.

I read some funny things washed up in the waves after the fight in Las Vegas. One writer claimed Mayweather was ‘the devil’. Hang on a minute… the devil would have scorched Marquez, who looked fine afterwards.

No, it was Mayweather the physical magician, with a bag of defensive tricks, a man with gloves and a rolling rotator cuff like a great cape he can disappear behind.

From the waist down, his posture, legs wide and flexed at the knee for power, mid-section/centre of gravity pushed down by wonderful posture, yet light on his toes, which makes him more like a martial artist of olde in a dance.

No, this was not the devil. More crouching tiger, hidden dragon.

Physically, in action, Mayweather is already approaching greatness. Outside the ring may be another matter. What he will never have, which Pacquiao has, is humility and honesty which touches people, which inspires them to follow and be followers.

Mayweather is a decent enough man up close, pretty smooth with the media, but his edges are brassy, his boasts of expensive attire and the like just ‘chavvy’ .

I can understand Freddie’s Roach’s considered opinion put out on Sunday. “Congratulations Floyd. You just beat the best lightweight in the world.” There was a gulf in size. But so too in class. It was as staggering as it was wide.

I fear that Pacquiao may appear similar against Mayweather, when and if they meet. It is hard to see how anyone will beat the American, at this weight, in this form, at this time, with the great style he has developed.

Source: http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/garethadavies/100001824/real-danger-signs-for-manny-pacquiao-from-floyd-mayweather/