By Yero Moody: Experts, what do they really know? Sure, most of those guys have insider access to information before the mainstream public gets it, but in the final analysis it comes down to one simple word: opinion. This writer does not consider himself an expert and only regards the gentleman and ladies who lace up the gloves, and do or have done the fighting, as the real experts. My opinion is based solely on my knowledge of the sport and the vast hours I spend as a spectator watching and dissecting it.
The “experts” have picked Manny Pacquiao to steam roll Shane Mosley in their upcoming bout on May 7. Mosley is a 5.5 : 1 underdog. Mosley is 39 years old and has looked less than stellar in his last two fights against Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Sergio Mora. Quite naturally, he is the presumed underdog.
Pacquiao has been a conquering dynamo while moving up in weight. He hasn’t lost his speed and seems to be even stronger at welterweight. Mosley on the other hand has lost some speed and seems hesitant at times to pull the trigger. In the analysis of this fight, the styles of both fighters is what makes the fight compelling. Both fighters bring plenty of action and scientifically brawl when necessary. In a prior article I wrote in which I predicted Mosley to soundly beat Antonio Margarito, I pointed out speed as being one of the major advantages for Mosley. In this fight however, it’s Pacquiao who enjoys the speed advantage, both hand and foot.
Mosley will have to be the more technically sound fighter in order to beat Pacquiao. He must use his size and strength advantage and capitalize on the openings that Pacquiao will surely give him. I watched the bigger and much slower Margarito land some hard shots on Pacquiao and indeed hurt him on a few occasions during their fight. Mosley is still very fast and a much more accurate puncher than Margarito. Mosley has been accused of running out of steam in the later rounds but I just haven’t seen that. I’ve seen him become frustrated and lose his will but he never seemed gassed except for a brief period against Miguel Cotto during the middle rounds. In the latter rounds, the championship rounds, he was gaining momentum. It was a case of too little, too late. Mosley must throw his combinations. He cannot hesitate to pull the trigger at any moment during this fight. Pacquiao has a porous defense at times and walks into punches when he becomes too eager to land his own.
Pacquiao enjoys the speed advantage, so for him, lateral movement is key to a victory for him. Using angles to frustrate the slower Mosley will have two advantages. One, he will be landing punches while gaining points and not allowing Mosley to get off his punches. Two, Mosley has shown a propensity two seemingly give up and abandon his game plan when he gets frustrated. If Pacquiao can successfully frustrate Mosley he can cruise to victory and perhaps be the first to KO Mosley. Pacquiao has dynamic power based on his tremendous speed. He has the type of power that can knock out any fighter if he catches them on the button.
As I have previously stated, the styles of these fighters is what makes this fight so compelling. It is Mosley’s power and speed that will shock the “experts” on May 7 in Las Vegas. He will take advantage of and expose the sometimes porous defense of Pacquiao and knock him out by the 9th round!
Questions or comments: yero_m@yahoo.com.