Mayweather favored on paper but does he have the heart?

June 27th, 2010

Nobody really knows at this point if the big super fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao will ever happen. Many of the boxing minds that I have spoken to have chimed in with their predictions, and on paper most say that Floyd has the edge IF it ever happens. Of course the only way to really find out is for both of these champions to get into the ring and fight.

So when we look at each fighter it's very obvious that both men bring into the ring with them a lot of skills.  Pacquiao's speed, his power, and the amount of punches that he throws will give anyone trouble.  Mayweather's size, defense, timing, and his own power counters what Manny brings in. This is what makes the fight so interesting, they both cancel each other out when it comes to skills. Or do they? On paper it looks as if Floyd should have the edge because of his size, his undefeated record, and his defense. But does what things say on paper mean much?

I recently spoke to the former 4 time heavyweight champion Evander Holyfield about this topic.  Evander said it right, "It doesn't always mean that the person with the most skill wins." Evander is talking about heart. Which fighter has the most heart? Who is hungrier? When it comes to heart, I would have to say that Manny Pacquiao has the edge. Manny's been in more wars than Floyd has. Manny has been in some real throw downs in the past, such as Marquez, Morales, and Barrera. All three of those guys tested his heart, and with each fight he has risen to the occasion.

Floyd Mayweather has not been tested. He did however get rocked by Shane Mosley early in their fight, and he showed some heart and some smarts, and was able to make it through that round only to go on and totally dominate. If a fight with Pacquiao ever happens, Floyd's heart will most certainly be tested, take that to the bank. It very well may boil down to who has more heart in this fight. If the fight turns into a throw down, a back and forth street fight, whoever has the most heart will be victorious.

When I spoke to Floyd Maweather Sr about this topic, he immediately went to the steroid card. Big Floyd is convinced that Manny is juicing and had the following to say, "If both men are clean, little Floyd will knock Manny Pacquiao out."  It's unfortunate that steroids has to be a player in any sport, but to accuse someone of taking steroids without any proof is a bad deal. Pacquiao has more heart than I have ever seen. I have been at several of Manny's camps and I have seen with my own eyes how hard this guy trains. Why can't we just appreciate a person's achievements based on hard work and talent? Why does Manny have to be judged like that? Just like Evander Holyfield said, "If he's on steroids the commission will catch him." Holyfield also spoke about how a fighter should not make up his own rules.  Mayweather is demanding Olympic style blood testing, but does a fighter have a right to demand such a thing?  Pacquiao has tested negative each time that he's ever fought.

Let us not confuse heart and hard work with steroids and cheating. In my opinion, Pacquiao is all about heart and all about hard work.  Floyd Mayweather is all about hard work in the gym, and success in the ring, but we have yet to have seen his heart get tested. Time will tell..... hopefully.