A word of caution to my gambling friends. I am not betting on the Floyd Mayweather Jr. versus Manny Pacquiao fight. My boxing betting ended when I bet Muhammad Ali to beat George Foreman. I had won three fights up to then (including Foreman/Frazier) in total, but I knew I was no boxing handicapper.
I quit when I was ahead, in other words.
So take what I am about to say with a grain of whatever grains you enjoy eating.
If the fight actually happens and isn’t canceled because of non-tickets being available to the fans or some injury to one or the other or both fighters, Pacquiao will win, perhaps by stoppage (more than likely Mayweather quitting on his stool) and this is why:
I am taking a very narrow view here, a one-fight view. At his peak Mayweather had a hell of a time with Oscar De La Hoya and many ringsiders thought Oscar won that fight. Even Floyd’s father thought De La Hoya won the fight. This was when Floyd was at his absolute best, better than he is now.
So how did De La Hoya do against Pacquiao? Manny Pacquiao destroyed him. Not only wasn’t the fight close, it was an eighth round TKO disaster for Oscar.
Given that single fight, I think we will see a spirited contest until Mayweather realizes he can’t win and quits.
Yes, indeed, there are other common opponents that both men have faced but I think the De La Hoya fight is the defining one.
Again, don’t bet it; just enjoy it.
