AND STILL…Masterful Mayweather Bests Pacquiao Via UD12, In Sub-Classic Scrap

Maybe he’s not the best ever, that’s debateable, but he is a contemporary master.

In the main event of the most important fight since 2002 and the biggest revenue maker of all time, Floyd Mayweather, born in Michigan, nicknamed “Money,” drew harsh boos when he walked to the ring with a 47-0 mark. The white hatted Pacman came in with the hopes of nations on his shoulders, and a 57-5-2 mark.

But you had to tip your cap to the victor, even if you don’t care for his character or the character he plays; his mix of jabs, movement, potshot rights, exemplary defense and just enough offense to win rounds brought him past Manny Pacquiao.

The scores were 118-110 (Dave Moretti), 116-112 (Glenn Feldman), 116-112 (Burt Clements). Floyd stayed unbeaten. The crowd booed but it was the right call, no doubt in my mind, and I favored the Moretti card over the others for accuracy. If it wasn’t easy work, it came damned close to that. Mayweather told people coming in that Pacman was reckless and would get picked apart, and that assessment looked not to be fallacious post-fight.

Some of the crowd, and I dare say a large portion of the folks in households where $100 was ponied up to watch “the Fight of the Century,” were likely booing because they expected more, and better, from both men.

Mayweather’s effort was clinical, surgical, but his own father/trainer acted disappointed in the lack of offensive-mindedness. Pacman, working with a bum right shoulder, was a one-man gang, who relied on his left, and his punch output was woeful compared to past efforts. The two together threw as many punches as one busy welterweight on an energized night.

No, this was no classic and fell beneath expectations for many who soaked up the hype. Hardcore fight fans, who’ve been through the hype ringer, and know the Mayweather style, many of them were unfazed, and felt they got what they expected.

In the end, it was either a mild black eye, or major black eye (especially in regards to snapping up new converts) or a wash for boxing as a whole. That, in itself, is a disappointment, as the stage was ours, the spotlight solely on us, and our sport didn’t shine like it could have. Such is life…

After, Floyd tipped his hat to Manny, calling him “one helluva fighter.” Always makes sense to buff up the one ya just beat.

“I have one more fight,” Floyd said, when asked about the future. “My last fight is in September, and then it’s time for me to hang it up.”

I’m mega dubious of that, though he maintains because he’s almost 40, the time is nigh. Where else can you earn so much for doing what you love? I recommend none of you fall for what is an obvious leveraging ploy.

Kenny Bayless reffed, and was not an issue, though some wished for him to be more stern in regards to Mayweathers’ frequent headlocks. Team Pacman, though, didn’t protest his work afterwards.

In the first, the Floyd jab spoke. He boxed super smart and landed a couple sharp rights. Manny didn’t get untracked.

In the second, the ring general Floyd got it done with movement and the jab and clinching when Manny approached. In the third, Manny landed clean a couple times but Floyd’s jab, right leads, movement and clinching spoke louder.

In the fourth, a straight left landed and then Manny flurried. MM blocked well and basically decided not to move much, let his legs take the round off. In the fifth, the crowd booed the MM headlocks. Jabs and feints kept Manny from setting up and straight rights kept him busy. Another Money round in the bank.

In the sixth, it was tight. Floyd elected to give the legs some rest, stand and fight. But he jabbed, jabbed and so Manny had a hard time finding openings. In the seventh, Floyd did it his way, jabbed, landed a hook, kept Manny at bay with feints, and mostly, that jab, more an annoying one than a nasty one. In the eighth, Floyd fought boring and smart, and won the round. Manny wasn’t getting off because Floyd disrupted his rhythm. The potshot right worked well for MM. In the ninth, Floyd’s jab kept Manny from flurrying.

In the tenth, MM was the ace ring general. Potshot rights, a hook, masterful D, another round in the bank.

In the 11th, Floyd had his way. Too good defensively. In the 12th, it was more of the same. Pretty easy work, I think he will say..

Follow @Woodsy1069

WATCH RELATED VIDEOS ON BOXINGCHANNEL.TV