number1contender.net

There are 2 issues people seem to be keying in on in projecting what will happen in Saturday's match between Floyd Mayweather, Jr. and Juan Manuel Marquez. The first is size. The thought is that Mayweather will have a huge weight advantage in the ring over Marquez, who is moving up 9 pounds for this match. That is not necessarily accurate. Mayweather is a very small 147-pounder. In fact, the Las Vegas resident does not even cut weight to make a 147 pounds. In reality Mayweather is really a naturally large 135-pounder. Mayweather is such a phenomenal boxer he was able to become the champion at 147 pounds. Mayweather will probably enter the ring on Saturday at no more then 146 pounds. After rehydrating, Marquez entered the ring versus Juan Diaz in February at 140 pounds. After 5 months of training, Marquez may enter the ring heavier then Mayweather. Mayweather at 5' 8" tall, is only 1" taller then the 5' 7" tall Marquez. The big difference will be in arm length. Mayweather has a 26" arm length measured from the armpit to the end of the fist, while Marquez has a 22" arm length.

 

The other key thing people are focusing on is Mayweather's 21-month break from official competition in a boxing ring. This should not be as big a factor for Mayweather as it would be for most normal boxers. Mayweather is a naturally driven athlete, beyond what most normal people can comprehend. Even during his break from competition, Mayweather has been working out harder then some boxers do when preparing for a match. Mayweather was even still sparring during his "retirement". The 1996 Olympic bronze medalist wins matches with his superior conditioning and ability to stay strong late in matches. That should not change in this match.

 

There has probably not been a match up with boxers that had a combined boxing IQ in a long time. Neither boxer is going to surprise each other with some strategy the other cannot adjust to in the ring. In the end, Mayweather probably wins by unanimous decision. Even though he is the slightly larger boxer, Mayweather has the speed advantage. In boxing people always talk about power, but speed is usually the determining factor in matches.

 

 

Sincerely,