I was watching ESPN's First Take this morning and they interviewed Roy Jones Jr. asking him his opinions on the fight on May 2nd. Although Roy wouldn't give a prediction he did say he favored Floyd to win but that Manny stood a chance using his activity.
He compared this fight to his fight with James Toney, saying that the shell defense was hard to break through. I went back and watched the fight and I must say, Roy fought the exact fight Manny needs to fight on May 2nd.
He jumped in and out landed awkward two to three punch combinations and then would turn Toney and reset him. Rinse, wash, repeat. It was the speed and awkward angles combined with the fact that Roy didn't stay in the pocket for too long which did Toney in.. Manny needs to implement this same game plan and I believe he can, obviously he needs to accommodate the southpaw stance.
What do you guys think?
YES.
That said...Manny doesn't have the legs of a prime Roy Jones. And Mayweather's legs remain better than Toney's. Plus, Floyd is just an overall better fighter than Toney. Certainly a lot faster.
Prime Roy was the most athletic fighter of all time and Toney is no Mayweather, even though he was as close as there was in his prime defensively. (Pernell was totally different)
what did you think pacquiao's gameplan will be? that's exactly pacquiao's style, esspecially against an aggressive opponent
like someone mentioned floyd is not as flat footed as toney, and is a good bit bigger than pacquiao and wont be as lethargic(anyone that has watched toney's fights can tell you that toney was very clearly affected by the weight)
He jumped in and out landed awkward two to three punch combinations and then would turn Toney and reset him. Rinse, wash, repeat. It was the speed and awkward angles combined with the fact that Roy didn't stay in the pocket for too long which did Toney in..
I'm sure the fact that Toney weighed 214lbs 6 weeks before the fight and 186lbs in the dressing room on fight night might have had something to do with Roy's success.