It’s billed the fight of the century and judging by the astronomical speed at which tickets were snapped up – the much-trumpeted Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao welterweight title unification fight, slated for the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, could just be what the good doctor ordered for boxing enthusiasts.
“Mayweather is a classic boxer and I won’t be surprised if he wins by a knockout. He is such an intelligent fighter who is capable of outsmarting his opponent with ease,” says Namibia’s boxing supremo Kelly Ngixulifwa.
Namibia’s internationally acclaimed boxing promoter/trainer Nestor Tobias has been there and seen it all during his involvement in leather trading over many years.
“It’s going to be a closely contested affair since both are very good fighters but I personally think Mayweather will have the edge because he is a technician, smarter, and possesses the much needed experience to win on points or either by knockout.”
Joe Kaperu: “My money is on Mayweather, he will not only outbox his opponent but will obviously also teach him a thing or two about the finer lessons of the game. If you take a closer glance at both boxers’ recent exploits in the ring, Mayweather comes out tops because he showed his mettle against credible opponents while Pacquiao fought against average opponents. He (Pacquiao) is a raging bull and will certainly meet his match in the streetwise Mayweather,” enthused the long serving boxing administrator.
However, diehard boxing fan Ronnie Kurtz disagrees with his compatriots. “I’ve paged through both boxers’ resumes but what I gathered about Pacquiao is quite frightening. The boy has an incredible record and possesses unbelievable endurance – I definitely fancy him to silence his doubters and come out victorious.”
He might have been living in the shadow of his more celebrated elder brother and former world champion Hitman Moses, but Imms Moses is regarded by those in the know as the godfather of local boxing for his vast knowledge of the global sport.
“Take nothing away from Pacquiao, he is an aggressive fighter who is in the habit of unleashing lots of punches in succession.
“I always watch boxing with the heart – Mayweather is a calculated boxer capable of absorbing any pressure exerted on him. Statistics don’t lie and if you look at these two boxers’ records they all fall in favour of Mayweather.”
Moses bases his arguments on the following facts: Pacquiao fought Juan Manuel Marques and lost inside the distance with the hard-punching Mexican abbreviating the contest in the 5th round, while Mayweather made the very same opponent look like a beginner in their bout, dispatching the Mexican with ease over 12 rounds of blood, sweat and tears.