Pacquiao’s record against Americans is encouraging but Mayweather is a different prospect

Manny Pacquiao's record against Americans should encourage the Filipino ahead of May 2, but as Steve Luckings explains, Floyd Mayweather Jr is an entirely different prospect altogether.

Manny Pacquiao, right, defeats American Tim Bradley Jr during their 2014 rematch to reclaim the WBO world welterweight title. Isaac Brekken / AP Photo

It is said certain boxing styles suit certain fighters, that one man’s attributes in the ring can be his undoing against a fighter with the tools to nullify them.

But what about nationalities suiting certain fighters?

As Manny Pacquiao laces up his gloves and fixes his gum shield on Saturday for a 65th time in a professional career that began with a unanimous four-round decision against Edmund Enting Ignacio on January 22, 1995, the Filipino has a record of 56 victories, five defeats and two draws.

Eighteen of his victories have come over boxers from his homeland, against one defeat, to Rustico Torrecampo although, technically, Pacquiao was knocked out by an accidental clash with his opponent’s shoulder in Round 3, and thus the decision should have been declared a no-contest.

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Among the numerous nicknames attached to “the Pac Man” is the “Mexecutioner”, stemming from his 12 victories over Mexican fighters, including those over prominent boxers such as Marco Antonio Barrera (twice), Erik Morales (two wins, one defeat) and four epics against Juan Manuel Marquez (two wins, one draw, one defeat), giving him a record of 13-2-1 against pugilists from Mexico.

Other nationalities in the Filipino’s win column are from Indonesia, Ghana, North Korea, Colombia, Kazakhstan, Puerto Rico, South Africa and the United Kingdom (one each), Australia (three), South Korea (three) and Thailand (six wins, one defeat).

But what of his record against boxers from the United States, the homeland of Saturday’s opponent, Floyd Mayweather Jr? David Diaz was Pacquiao’s first US opponent, in June 2008, with the Filipino winning by technical knockout in Round 9. Next up was Oscar De La Hoya, who retired hurt after sustaining eight brutal rounds of body blows. Points decisions, some unanimous, some split, followed against Shane Mosley, Brandon Rios and Chris Allegri. Pacquiao had two fights with Timothy Bradley, losing by a split decision in 2012 and winning by a unanimous verdict 12 months ago.

So factoring the avenged defeat of Bradley, Pacquiao has beaten every American fighter he has faced, although the loss to Bradley knocks his record down to six victories and one defeat.

These numbers should stand Pacquiao in good stead as he attempts to defend his WBO welterweight belt, while also trying to take Mayweather’s WBA (Super) and WBC and Ring welterweight titles, as well as the intangible but coveted “pound for pound” designation.

When it comes to statistics, however, Pacquiao has a hard time matching up to Mayweather, who has fought 47, won 47.

Pacquiao will be the first fighter from the Philippines the American has faced, but Mayweather meets him at his preferred venue, the MGM Grand Garden Arena, in Las Vegas, the setting for 12 of Mayweather’s triumphs. By contrast, Pacquiao has fought at the MGM Grand 11 times, winning seven, with three defeats, two of them in his past three visits, and a draw.

So does Mayweather’s nationality suit Pacquiao? There are six men who may testify to that, but history says “home advantage” is in the American’s favour.

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