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Here are the specific things I will be watching for (especially early on) in the fight:
1) Shane's activity in rounds 1 & 2. Is he cautious, or is he willing to sell out early. If Shane shows urgency in rounds 1&2, that might be an indicator that he doesn't really believe that he can win a boxing match , as they have been saying.
2) The first couple of clean shots Shane lands. Obviously. Much has been made of the power difference. i'm of the belief that the power difference won't be that great. But if Floyd is surprised by a punch (a la Zab's left), how does he react to it? If Floyd comfortably takes Shane's punch, then SM is in for a long night. The fight would become Pac/Cotto-ish.
3) Floyd's lead foot. Is it planted? Is he stepping forward like he did early on with Sharmba, Judah and Baldomir? Or is he ready to dart laterally like he was with Hatton?
4) Shane's hands. Is he doing that egg-beater motion, or is he calm? If Shane is 'jittery' as Big Floyd indicated, then he will be telegraphing his shots. Mayweather has a sixth sense about what you are going to throw anyway. It's not just his reflexes that are first-rate, it's his anticipation. If you telegraph your shots, you have no chance.
5) Mayweather's body position/ hands. At his most comfortable, Floyd drops his hands, and is ready to potshot, stick-n-move. He and Sergio both do that. When the hands come down, the fat lady is clearing her throat.
6) Urgency in Shane's corner. You guys know that Naaz is cool as a cucumber when things are going well. Sometimes, he is too cool even when things are going poorly (Hopkins-taylor 2, middle rounds of Calzaghe) as well. I'm sure Naaz has a Plan A and B. If he tries to command Shane's attention, rather than just staying cool, the plan isn't working. And Shane knows it.
7) The score after round 4. Shane needs to bank rounds early. It is easy to envision Shane losing 5 of the last 6. Mosley needs to bank rounds early - I agree with Cliff on that one.
8) Shane's face. Is he bleeding? Puffing around the eyes? Is his face starting to break down? Floyd seems to do a good job of puffing and cutting dudes. A well-aged fighter who was dry earlier in the week may cut.
9) The Mosley bodyshot. The first time Floyd rolls to his right, Shane will throw the bodyshot and then follow that with the right over the top. The head punch won't land. But how much did Floyd feel that bodyshot? If you notice FMJ stop rolling like that, great news for Shane.
10) The strength factor inside. Jim Lampley made a great point in an interview. Floyd isn't superstrong, but he is meaner than Shane. I then looked at Shane's record, and i don't think he has ever fouled. Floyd, by contrast, has had points deducted on three occasions. Because Floyd is Hopkins-esque inside. Ask ricky hatton. PBF was torturing Ricky with the elbow to the face/neck, the short hook under Ricky's elbow, and the uppercut.
I'd appreciate knowing what you guys watch for as you look at the "fight within the fight".
1) Shane's activity in rounds 1 & 2. Is he cautious, or is he willing to sell out early. If Shane shows urgency in rounds 1&2, that might be an indicator that he doesn't really believe that he can win a boxing match , as they have been saying.
2) The first couple of clean shots Shane lands. Obviously. Much has been made of the power difference. i'm of the belief that the power difference won't be that great. But if Floyd is surprised by a punch (a la Zab's left), how does he react to it? If Floyd comfortably takes Shane's punch, then SM is in for a long night. The fight would become Pac/Cotto-ish.
3) Floyd's lead foot. Is it planted? Is he stepping forward like he did early on with Sharmba, Judah and Baldomir? Or is he ready to dart laterally like he was with Hatton?
4) Shane's hands. Is he doing that egg-beater motion, or is he calm? If Shane is 'jittery' as Big Floyd indicated, then he will be telegraphing his shots. Mayweather has a sixth sense about what you are going to throw anyway. It's not just his reflexes that are first-rate, it's his anticipation. If you telegraph your shots, you have no chance.
5) Mayweather's body position/ hands. At his most comfortable, Floyd drops his hands, and is ready to potshot, stick-n-move. He and Sergio both do that. When the hands come down, the fat lady is clearing her throat.
6) Urgency in Shane's corner. You guys know that Naaz is cool as a cucumber when things are going well. Sometimes, he is too cool even when things are going poorly (Hopkins-taylor 2, middle rounds of Calzaghe) as well. I'm sure Naaz has a Plan A and B. If he tries to command Shane's attention, rather than just staying cool, the plan isn't working. And Shane knows it.
7) The score after round 4. Shane needs to bank rounds early. It is easy to envision Shane losing 5 of the last 6. Mosley needs to bank rounds early - I agree with Cliff on that one.
8) Shane's face. Is he bleeding? Puffing around the eyes? Is his face starting to break down? Floyd seems to do a good job of puffing and cutting dudes. A well-aged fighter who was dry earlier in the week may cut.
9) The Mosley bodyshot. The first time Floyd rolls to his right, Shane will throw the bodyshot and then follow that with the right over the top. The head punch won't land. But how much did Floyd feel that bodyshot? If you notice FMJ stop rolling like that, great news for Shane.
10) The strength factor inside. Jim Lampley made a great point in an interview. Floyd isn't superstrong, but he is meaner than Shane. I then looked at Shane's record, and i don't think he has ever fouled. Floyd, by contrast, has had points deducted on three occasions. Because Floyd is Hopkins-esque inside. Ask ricky hatton. PBF was torturing Ricky with the elbow to the face/neck, the short hook under Ricky's elbow, and the uppercut.
I'd appreciate knowing what you guys watch for as you look at the "fight within the fight".
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