Pacquiao VS Mayweather: My Thoughts

On my birthday last Saturday, Pacquiao did it again and defeated Miguel Cotto. Manny Pacquiao has conquered 3 weight classes and currently holds numerous championships which he has successfully defended time and time again. However, if there is one man who has a chance of beating him, it's Floyd Mayweather Jr. who is undefeated in the ring. Now, the public is demanding that a Pacquiao/Mayweather fight take place. The Boxing world will gladly oblige as it has in the past and there is a HUGE chance that the two will meet in the ring. Many have asked me, "Who do you think will win?" Well, to be honest, I am no prophet. I have no clue who will win exactly. Both fighters are almost identical in their respective styles. They are both incredibly elusive, fast, precise, powerful, and anyone who dares step in front of either one of them in the ring gets decimated.

As a Filipino, of course I am rooting for Pacquiao. However, all patriotism aside, I need to be objective and say that Mayweather is going to be one hell of an opponent. If there is anyone in the Boxing world who even has a chance of knocking Pacquiao out, it's Mayweather. Admittedly, one of the biggest reasons for Pacquiao's success is his speed and elusiveness in the ring. His ability to evade punches and attack in combinations is one of Pacquiao's biggest strengths. However, Mayweather is equally elusive and fast, if not more elusive and fast, than Pacquiao is. Both fighters can evade and throw flurries of punches in combinations. Both fighters are experts in attacking the gaps in their opponents defenses. Both are also incredibly capable of knocking people out. I feel that a Pacquiao/Mayweather fight will be great to watch simply because of the fact that you will be watching two fighters with nearly identical styles and skill sets going at it.

Mayweather has millions upon millions of dollars. He has several luxury cars, his own entourage of security guards, chefs, beautiful women, and trainers. More importantly, he has an undefeated record in the ring. He's an arrogant bastard for sure, but the man has backed up his big mouth time and time again.

However, Pacquiao has something that Mayweather doesn't...something that I believe gives him the edge over Mayweather: Support. Sure, Mayweather has a large entourage...and yes his dad is his trainer so one can argue that he has support. No doubting that. However, he doesn't have the support of a NATION. Mayweather may have an entourage of people who follow his every move, but Pacquiao has a whole country backing him...an entire country that prays for him and thinks about him everytime he fights...a country that he himself represents and fights for. In addition, Mayweather's arrogance and big mouth have not made him the most liked person in the world. Whether people love Pacquiao or not, they will cheer him on, pray for him, and back him up because they want Mayweather's teeth knocked out and his mouth zipped shut. One cannot underestimate the power or moral and spiritual support for an individual and how that helps an individual go beyond their normal capabilities. It forces an individual to dig deep and push harder than ever before. What better motivation to win can one have if an entire country is cheering you on?

Mayweather sure has a lot of things going for him, but he fights only for his mouth, his bank account, and his pride. Pacquiao stands for something bigger than that. Call it naive or idealistic, but I firmly believe that Pacquiao's sense of patriotism and faith will give him an edge in the fight between him and Mayweather. I am not saying he will win. Rather, what I am saying is that he will push harder and fight harder than ever before because he fights for something BIGGER than just a paycheck.