The Carling Cup or League Cup to give it its more traditional title has suffered in the last 20 years more than any other competition due to the growth of football in England and the growing wealth of money available to successful teams in the Champions League.
As teams strive for success and glory in Europe - certain teams attempt to win four seperate titles - alas one competition has to take a backseat in terms of affection. After the League, European and the tradition of the FA cup - something has to be given short shift.
Reserve sides, youth players, second XIs have all been picked by major sides most famously Manchester United and Arsenal - who use early round games as a chance to breed fringe players and give second choice goalkeepers a full game in case injury thwarts the first choice. While these two sides have been criticised, they have nevertheless still reached major finals and even won on occasion; while for other teams it is seen as an opportunity to win a major piece of silverware in an otherwise disastrous season - Birmingham City, last year who surprised Arsenal.
Yet this week the Carling Cup is back in the spotlight owing not to negative team selection but poor scheduling by the governing bodies. We have reached the quarter final stage and there remain 5 of the top 7 sides in the Premier League (Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea) and Cariff v Blackburn along with Crystal Palace.
Oddly, Blackburn who are suffering under the stewardship of Steve Kean are one game away from a cup semi-final;are they like Birmingham did last year going to have a day out at Wembley. You expect Man Utd for all their poor finishing of late to still see off the challenge of Championship Palace.
However, the intrigue lies in the other two matches: Chelsea v Liverpool and Arsenal v Man City, less than 48 hours ago Liverpool played Manchester City to a 1-1 draw at Anfield on Sky Sports. Both teams have had to travel to London for their respective quarter finals, both managers Kenny Dalglish and Roberto Mancini have bemoaned the fact that they have been subjected to poor scheduling whereas Man United who played Saturday afternoon have an extra day of rest and preparation.
Mancini has more reason to moan as this would be his team's third match in a tricky week which started with a defeat in Naples which jeopardised progress to the Champions League knockout phase - and due to suspension he is without Gareth Barry and Mario Balotelli. Back ups and reserve players will get a runout amongst them - Costel Pantilimon, Owen Hargreaves, Denis Suarez, Karim Rekik and Stefan Savic.
Liverpool however are not playing European competition so the Carling Cup should be seen as a real incentive for a team and club in need of some glory. To ask his squad to play another game is not so much a big ask - the problem has been the travelling south to London which would have occured on Monday morning, they may well have stretched and run out late afternoon and rest until late morning today to wipe cobwebs. Liverpool are capable of fielding a competitive side with Jamie Carragher expected to get a first start in a month; Dalglish is pretty miffed by the whole thing.
What must be remembered is that the League cup is not the property of the Premier League it is run by the Football League the governing body of the Championship and its two lower tiers and the 72 clubs that play in those divisions. Yet they invite the Premier League clubs to play as they need the exposure and allure of these clubs to take it seriously, otherwise the competition would become a bigger version of the Johnstone Paints Trophy.
Solutions would be to distinguish set dates for the competition, luckily none of the Europa League teams (Spurs, Fulham, Stoke, Birmingham) made it to this stage as they would have had to have their games rearranged to next week, which would have made further headaches. Another would be to reduce the teams in the Premier League to 18 and therefore less games in total per club, this would mean more money from television deals yet the Football League would not like more teams to drop down to the lower divisions.
The solution must be sought by better dialogue between the Premier League clubs and the Football League body otherwise this will not be sorted and will just happen again; as for Dalglish's threat of playing youth players, someone should tell him that never hurt the progress of Arsenal or United players in gaining experience.
Showing posts with label Sport. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Sport. Show all posts
Tuesday, 29 November 2011
Tuesday, 1 November 2011
In Praise of...Newcastle United
In the week of demonstrations and thousands of people clambering to be heard in the centre of London to the masses, it is pleasing to see the most revered fanbase being able to sing at their loudest for the start of the season. Newcastle United remain unbeaten this season, they sit 3rd in the English Premier League a model of consistency as the teams above and below struggle for that trait.
Last night on the rather more English version of Monday Night Football, Newcastle United travelled to the Britannia Stadium to take on an always resilient Stoke City. A team whose home ground has become somewhat of a fortress, yet lately they seem unable to win more games than they should. Played Nine. Won three, drawn three, lost three.
Newcastle United went to the game and carried on where they left off, exuded confidence based on a team basis. Following the departure of key figures Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton, it was feared that Alan Pardew was on a hiding to nothing with a squad that was fine on quality and was being tipped to struggle for survival.
Yet Pardew has found himself to be a keen scout - the signing of Demba Ba from West Ham has proved a master stroke as he completed his second hat-trick of the season from the penalty spot in the 81st minute, after Stoke were planning a raid following Ba's brace before half-time.
The victory was based on a team who defended resolutely to Stoke's aerial bombardment from set-pieces and who broke down the wingplay of Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant who remained mute throughout much of the game.
Being a Tottenham fan I only really watched Newcastle during the pleasing 2-2 draw a few weeks ago, there they showed much of the same but the spirit and unity of the team spoke volumes as they twice came back from behind to garner a point thanks to Shola Ameobi's superb finish.
Ameobi has since picked up a hamstring injury, this was Pardew's first test as a manager dealing with an injury that upsets the normality and serenity of a dressing room. Luckily, the next game was at home to floundering Wigan who although Pardew called it a lucky 1-0 win, it was another of his signings - Yohan Cabaye who supplied the winner with a rocket from 25 yards.
Newcastle's solidity is based on someone turning up with the good when required. The consistency of selection helps with a back four - Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Federico Coloccini and Ryan Taylor - all doing their part and supplying a backline that protects Tim Krul who is slowly establishing himself as a mainstay between the posts.
In front of those four you have Gabriel Obertan, Danny Guthrie, Cabaye and the inspirational Jonas Gutierrez, perhaps the most recognisable individual of the team due to his jet black ponytail. This a solid midfield base not without some additional flair when required such as Obertan's pin point cross for Ba's first goal last night which he headed back past the despairing Begovic.
And then you have Leon Best the workhorse who tracks down loose balls and bites defender's ankles next to the goalscoring threat of Ba who takes his chances with relish as Newcastle gather up the available points.
Pardew is doing this without the influential Cheik Tiote who has a knee injury but will probably return to the fold once fit at the expense of Guthrie, but Guthrie who had to leave hometown Liverpool for first-team football is doing his part to give Pardew a selection headache.
Some cynics may suggest that Pardew gladly let Nolan and Barton depart so that he could be the biggest personality in the changing room - instead of causing chaos, there has been a new level of trust instilled in these also-ran of players. Steven Taylor so esteemable at England U21 level but sometimes unable to translate those talismanic efforts to his club form has grown into a leader of the team even if he is not the captain like Coloccini.
The tests now come for Newcastle, this Saturday lunchtime home to Everton followed by a visit to the Etihad and the league leaders Manchester City following the international break.
Oddly, I was watching a pundit show who were all asked to pick a manager of the season so far; each went for someone different - Mancini, McLeish and Rogers - the fact that the third best team in the country did not get a look in nor garner any mention shows you how under the radar Newcastle United have been this season. Not so much a surprise, but the football has at times been refreshing and it is nice to see an undervalued manager getting the rewards for his effort and bringing a team back from the veritable brink.
Last night on the rather more English version of Monday Night Football, Newcastle United travelled to the Britannia Stadium to take on an always resilient Stoke City. A team whose home ground has become somewhat of a fortress, yet lately they seem unable to win more games than they should. Played Nine. Won three, drawn three, lost three.
Newcastle United went to the game and carried on where they left off, exuded confidence based on a team basis. Following the departure of key figures Andy Carroll, Kevin Nolan and Joey Barton, it was feared that Alan Pardew was on a hiding to nothing with a squad that was fine on quality and was being tipped to struggle for survival.
Yet Pardew has found himself to be a keen scout - the signing of Demba Ba from West Ham has proved a master stroke as he completed his second hat-trick of the season from the penalty spot in the 81st minute, after Stoke were planning a raid following Ba's brace before half-time.
The victory was based on a team who defended resolutely to Stoke's aerial bombardment from set-pieces and who broke down the wingplay of Matthew Etherington and Jermaine Pennant who remained mute throughout much of the game.
Being a Tottenham fan I only really watched Newcastle during the pleasing 2-2 draw a few weeks ago, there they showed much of the same but the spirit and unity of the team spoke volumes as they twice came back from behind to garner a point thanks to Shola Ameobi's superb finish.
Ameobi has since picked up a hamstring injury, this was Pardew's first test as a manager dealing with an injury that upsets the normality and serenity of a dressing room. Luckily, the next game was at home to floundering Wigan who although Pardew called it a lucky 1-0 win, it was another of his signings - Yohan Cabaye who supplied the winner with a rocket from 25 yards.
Newcastle's solidity is based on someone turning up with the good when required. The consistency of selection helps with a back four - Danny Simpson, Steven Taylor, Federico Coloccini and Ryan Taylor - all doing their part and supplying a backline that protects Tim Krul who is slowly establishing himself as a mainstay between the posts.
In front of those four you have Gabriel Obertan, Danny Guthrie, Cabaye and the inspirational Jonas Gutierrez, perhaps the most recognisable individual of the team due to his jet black ponytail. This a solid midfield base not without some additional flair when required such as Obertan's pin point cross for Ba's first goal last night which he headed back past the despairing Begovic.
And then you have Leon Best the workhorse who tracks down loose balls and bites defender's ankles next to the goalscoring threat of Ba who takes his chances with relish as Newcastle gather up the available points.
Pardew is doing this without the influential Cheik Tiote who has a knee injury but will probably return to the fold once fit at the expense of Guthrie, but Guthrie who had to leave hometown Liverpool for first-team football is doing his part to give Pardew a selection headache.
Some cynics may suggest that Pardew gladly let Nolan and Barton depart so that he could be the biggest personality in the changing room - instead of causing chaos, there has been a new level of trust instilled in these also-ran of players. Steven Taylor so esteemable at England U21 level but sometimes unable to translate those talismanic efforts to his club form has grown into a leader of the team even if he is not the captain like Coloccini.
The tests now come for Newcastle, this Saturday lunchtime home to Everton followed by a visit to the Etihad and the league leaders Manchester City following the international break.
Oddly, I was watching a pundit show who were all asked to pick a manager of the season so far; each went for someone different - Mancini, McLeish and Rogers - the fact that the third best team in the country did not get a look in nor garner any mention shows you how under the radar Newcastle United have been this season. Not so much a surprise, but the football has at times been refreshing and it is nice to see an undervalued manager getting the rewards for his effort and bringing a team back from the veritable brink.
Saturday, 16 July 2011
Fowler in Bloom
Watching the Open on the BBC this week has been an illuminating experience, for all the current noises being made by the European tour of having the best players - and pleasingly Darren Clarke, Miguel Jimenez and Thomas Bjorn were flying the flag searching for their first major, along with PGA champion Martin Kaymer - but the most interesting thing to witness has been the play of the American tour, and how they dominate the huge leaderboards at Sandwich this week.
Every time the Open comes round, it is hoped that a homegrown Brit will win the Claret Jug, yet it seems more and more likely that again we will go without. Following the world 1 and 2 missing the cut along with luminaries like McDowell, Poulter and Harrington. The hopes rest with Darren Clarke, the only Irishman to not win a major it seems and his start on Saturday's round with a two shot lead was good, but you fear he may blow up and cannot sustain the challenge due to a mental block or a question of stamina.
But going back to the presence of Americans on the leaderboard - 2009 US Open champ Lucas Glover, now sporting a 1909 beard along with Chad Campbell, Dustin Johnson, Davis Love III and Tom Lehman are all there, all well known along with lesser lights Webb Simpson, K Stanley and Jeff Overton, as well as the perenial nearly man Phil Mickleson.
However, due to the luck of the draw the eyes of the world's golf media have had to follow the game of Rickie Fowler. I say luck of the draw as he has played all three rounds with the flavour of the month, Rory McIlroy - expectations were that McIlroy will add this homegrown Open to the procession at Congressional last month. And that Fowler would wilt under the pressure. It could not be more different.
Whilst McIlroy has been erratic, up and down and looking at a +5 finish after three rounds; Fowler has blown me away with his maturity and application on this famous links course. On Saturday, playing in the worst of the weather, were a round of 74 would be considered par on a par 70 due to high winds and heavy rain. Fowler surprised us with his invention and general demeanour.
There has always been the theory that Fowler (a 20 year old, 2nd year Pro) who has not won on the PGA tour as yet, would not have the imagination to play a links course, where humps and ridges change your shot pattern, but Fowler is proving to be a shot maker. After two par rounds on Thursday and Friday, Fowler definitely saw Saturday as moving day, at only four shots off the joint lead held by Clarke and Glover, any player at Par or one over would consider they had a chance to win come Sunday, if Saturday was not a complete disaster.
And as Tom Watson showed earlier on Saturday, if you apply yourself a good round can be had - a 74 from the 61 year old, left him at +4 .
In contrast, the play of McIlroy was distinct. The 2011 US Open champion's driving let him down, wide right , wide left playing from wet rough leaving no control of the ball, whilst Fowler was accurate off the tee and having birdie opportunites which he gobbled up at the 15th and 16th, whilst McIlroy's putting (vital at Congressional) has let him down. Fowler has managed the course as well as the conditions, he has not looked ruffled by proceedings and in hindsight his round on 16th July, could be considered one of the great rounds in Open history.
And let us not be surprised by the presence of an American winner on a Links course - the names on the Claret Jug of the last 20 years include, Mark O'Meara, Justin Leonard, Tom Lehman, Todd Hamilton, David Duval and Ben Curtis. All not great names, but nevertheless like Fowler showed the need to adapt to a situation and make the best of bad situations, and in that great American tradition show a bit of bravado when the going gets tough and to back your own ability.
Tiger may be out of the picture, but as Davis Love III plays alongside many of his team for the 2012 Ryder Cup he must be happy with the shift towards a team who will be gung-ho and firing on all cylinders.
Every time the Open comes round, it is hoped that a homegrown Brit will win the Claret Jug, yet it seems more and more likely that again we will go without. Following the world 1 and 2 missing the cut along with luminaries like McDowell, Poulter and Harrington. The hopes rest with Darren Clarke, the only Irishman to not win a major it seems and his start on Saturday's round with a two shot lead was good, but you fear he may blow up and cannot sustain the challenge due to a mental block or a question of stamina.
But going back to the presence of Americans on the leaderboard - 2009 US Open champ Lucas Glover, now sporting a 1909 beard along with Chad Campbell, Dustin Johnson, Davis Love III and Tom Lehman are all there, all well known along with lesser lights Webb Simpson, K Stanley and Jeff Overton, as well as the perenial nearly man Phil Mickleson.
However, due to the luck of the draw the eyes of the world's golf media have had to follow the game of Rickie Fowler. I say luck of the draw as he has played all three rounds with the flavour of the month, Rory McIlroy - expectations were that McIlroy will add this homegrown Open to the procession at Congressional last month. And that Fowler would wilt under the pressure. It could not be more different.
Whilst McIlroy has been erratic, up and down and looking at a +5 finish after three rounds; Fowler has blown me away with his maturity and application on this famous links course. On Saturday, playing in the worst of the weather, were a round of 74 would be considered par on a par 70 due to high winds and heavy rain. Fowler surprised us with his invention and general demeanour.
There has always been the theory that Fowler (a 20 year old, 2nd year Pro) who has not won on the PGA tour as yet, would not have the imagination to play a links course, where humps and ridges change your shot pattern, but Fowler is proving to be a shot maker. After two par rounds on Thursday and Friday, Fowler definitely saw Saturday as moving day, at only four shots off the joint lead held by Clarke and Glover, any player at Par or one over would consider they had a chance to win come Sunday, if Saturday was not a complete disaster.
And as Tom Watson showed earlier on Saturday, if you apply yourself a good round can be had - a 74 from the 61 year old, left him at +4 .
In contrast, the play of McIlroy was distinct. The 2011 US Open champion's driving let him down, wide right , wide left playing from wet rough leaving no control of the ball, whilst Fowler was accurate off the tee and having birdie opportunites which he gobbled up at the 15th and 16th, whilst McIlroy's putting (vital at Congressional) has let him down. Fowler has managed the course as well as the conditions, he has not looked ruffled by proceedings and in hindsight his round on 16th July, could be considered one of the great rounds in Open history.
And let us not be surprised by the presence of an American winner on a Links course - the names on the Claret Jug of the last 20 years include, Mark O'Meara, Justin Leonard, Tom Lehman, Todd Hamilton, David Duval and Ben Curtis. All not great names, but nevertheless like Fowler showed the need to adapt to a situation and make the best of bad situations, and in that great American tradition show a bit of bravado when the going gets tough and to back your own ability.
Tiger may be out of the picture, but as Davis Love III plays alongside many of his team for the 2012 Ryder Cup he must be happy with the shift towards a team who will be gung-ho and firing on all cylinders.
Tuesday, 31 May 2011
Rio Breaks - Review
Justin Mitchell, a longtime cinematographer and director of an abundant of short films and music videos, makes his directorial debut with a feature length documentary called Rio Breaks, about two young best friends who compete in surfing contests on the coast of Rio de Janiero, and how these competitions become a chance to escape the favela slums in which they live.
Mitchell on his homepage, says he started on the project in 2004 when he read an article by Vince Medeiros's article upto 2009 and its completion, Medeiros shares a writing credit with Mitchell on the screenplay.
The two best friends, Fabio and Naama, are treated with esteem and respect as we watch them flirt between the drudgery of their slum lifestyle in the renowned favelas of Rio and the joie de vivre they experience when surfing in the cool crisp water of Arpoader Beach that reaches towards the Atlantic.
Mitchell does not shirk from giving the boys a background as we go in amongst their homes, Fabio tells the story of his home called Vietnam - because of the constant shooting and violence in it. These insights into the young boys, aged 12 and 13 only, really brings to the surface their need to succeed in the surfing world. Mitchell uses recognised names in the Brazilian surfing fraternity as examples of what is possible, if you are good, you can get money, leave the favela far behind and live happily.
However, like that other great sports documentary Hoop Dreams, the dream is there in front of the boys whilst ambition and perserverance will only get you so far in life.
Mitchell's background in cinematography comes to the fore in this visual as well as spoken narrative; inter-cutting between talking head interviews, documentary footage and action packed visuals of the surfers in their element - it shares a passion and viscerality with that other great surfing movie, Riding With Giants. Mitchell shot on HVX2000 as well as 16mm and 35mm film; giving a cinematic experience of both digital and filmic exhiliaration.
Continuing the recent trend of sporting documentaries that excel not just as nostalgia for past glories (Fire in Babylon, Senna) but also social commentaries, making comment on anthropological differences of different geo-political backgrounds - being young in Rio may sound like fun, but it sure does not look like it once you see how these people live.
A film as much for the head due to the polemical narrative, as well as for the eye due to the stunning visuals and imagery served up by an experienced photographer who successfully makes the jump to the directing chair.
Rio Breaks is on limited release from Friday 3rd June, and is distributed by Mr. Bongo films, who have had previous success with boxing documentary Sons of Cuba.
Mitchell on his homepage, says he started on the project in 2004 when he read an article by Vince Medeiros's article upto 2009 and its completion, Medeiros shares a writing credit with Mitchell on the screenplay.
The two best friends, Fabio and Naama, are treated with esteem and respect as we watch them flirt between the drudgery of their slum lifestyle in the renowned favelas of Rio and the joie de vivre they experience when surfing in the cool crisp water of Arpoader Beach that reaches towards the Atlantic.
Mitchell does not shirk from giving the boys a background as we go in amongst their homes, Fabio tells the story of his home called Vietnam - because of the constant shooting and violence in it. These insights into the young boys, aged 12 and 13 only, really brings to the surface their need to succeed in the surfing world. Mitchell uses recognised names in the Brazilian surfing fraternity as examples of what is possible, if you are good, you can get money, leave the favela far behind and live happily.
However, like that other great sports documentary Hoop Dreams, the dream is there in front of the boys whilst ambition and perserverance will only get you so far in life.
Mitchell's background in cinematography comes to the fore in this visual as well as spoken narrative; inter-cutting between talking head interviews, documentary footage and action packed visuals of the surfers in their element - it shares a passion and viscerality with that other great surfing movie, Riding With Giants. Mitchell shot on HVX2000 as well as 16mm and 35mm film; giving a cinematic experience of both digital and filmic exhiliaration.
Continuing the recent trend of sporting documentaries that excel not just as nostalgia for past glories (Fire in Babylon, Senna) but also social commentaries, making comment on anthropological differences of different geo-political backgrounds - being young in Rio may sound like fun, but it sure does not look like it once you see how these people live.
A film as much for the head due to the polemical narrative, as well as for the eye due to the stunning visuals and imagery served up by an experienced photographer who successfully makes the jump to the directing chair.
Rio Breaks is on limited release from Friday 3rd June, and is distributed by Mr. Bongo films, who have had previous success with boxing documentary Sons of Cuba.
Monday, 22 November 2010
PACQUIAO v MAYWEATHER
This past week, Bernard Hopkins, a man who is no stranger to changing his mind said an interesting thing. He stated that Pacquiao has never beaten a black African-American, to be fair he has never thought one, restricting himself to beating Latino Americans and Ricky Hatton. Hopkins in a way has called out Floyd Mayweather Jr. saying that the Pacquiao problem needs to be addressed. And in a way, it is not that Manny is a problem, but maybe his legacy and legend will never be properly fulfilled until he fights Mayweather.
Yes, Manny has won a world title at (now) 8 different weight divisions. Never been done before.
Yes, he is the best pound for pound fighter in the world right now, fighting regularly.
Yes, he retired Ricky Hatton.
Yes, he turned Margarito from a man imitating a shrivelling wreck, into a man who will think twice about fighting again.
Yes, Mayweather questions the ability of Pacquiao's ability to keep this longevity of his career.
Yes, Mayweather has backed down from Pacquiao, putting up a legal blockade as an excuse.
Much like David Haye, ducking the Klitschko's due to monetary reasons. Haye wants a bigger slice of the purse, bigger than the one he gave Harrison, although this is now justified after watching that ridiculous spectacle; Mayweather who has boxing history in his bloodstream, must realise that boxing needs this fight. Sport in general needs this fight. Much like Lewis-Tyson, they ducked and dived but that fight in Memphis was inevitable. Whilst Pacquiao is making the noise due to him being in the spotlight, it is odd that Mayweather has gone mute on this recently. Maybe due to the fact that the last time he was heard from, he was being racist on a youtube link to Pacquiao. Whilst shocking maybe his publicity machine is picking its moment.
Mayweather needs the fight, as Pacquiao has now fought twice since Mayweather last won. Pacquiao in some circles has nothing left to prove; his hitting and punching ability is second to none, his ability to dictate the tempo of the fight was apparent against Margarito. Margarito was at fault because he did not use his extreme height and reach to tower over the shorter Pacquiao, a fact proven when he did have him in trouble once against the ropes and corner.
Mayweather will provide a different fight; he is methodical, elusive in defensive, but punishing in reaction especially to the body (cue Hatton again). Pacquiao is unrelenting in his tracking down an opponent with his fists of granite, but he will have to chase Mayweather around the ring. The tempo and chase he will not mind, but the need to land a punch will leave him open to mistakes.
In our imaginary minds, the fight is a bonafide classic up there with Hagler-Hearns, Leonard-Duran, Tyson-Holyfield I; before a contract is signed, before a profane remark is uttered, before a weigh-in, before a punch is thrown. But until we hear from Mayweather, that is all we have. Pacquiao as always has left the door ajar and he is not stopping Mayweather to break the door down.
Yes, Manny has won a world title at (now) 8 different weight divisions. Never been done before.
Yes, he is the best pound for pound fighter in the world right now, fighting regularly.
Yes, he retired Ricky Hatton.
Yes, he turned Margarito from a man imitating a shrivelling wreck, into a man who will think twice about fighting again.
Yes, Mayweather questions the ability of Pacquiao's ability to keep this longevity of his career.
Yes, Mayweather has backed down from Pacquiao, putting up a legal blockade as an excuse.
Much like David Haye, ducking the Klitschko's due to monetary reasons. Haye wants a bigger slice of the purse, bigger than the one he gave Harrison, although this is now justified after watching that ridiculous spectacle; Mayweather who has boxing history in his bloodstream, must realise that boxing needs this fight. Sport in general needs this fight. Much like Lewis-Tyson, they ducked and dived but that fight in Memphis was inevitable. Whilst Pacquiao is making the noise due to him being in the spotlight, it is odd that Mayweather has gone mute on this recently. Maybe due to the fact that the last time he was heard from, he was being racist on a youtube link to Pacquiao. Whilst shocking maybe his publicity machine is picking its moment.
Mayweather needs the fight, as Pacquiao has now fought twice since Mayweather last won. Pacquiao in some circles has nothing left to prove; his hitting and punching ability is second to none, his ability to dictate the tempo of the fight was apparent against Margarito. Margarito was at fault because he did not use his extreme height and reach to tower over the shorter Pacquiao, a fact proven when he did have him in trouble once against the ropes and corner.
Mayweather will provide a different fight; he is methodical, elusive in defensive, but punishing in reaction especially to the body (cue Hatton again). Pacquiao is unrelenting in his tracking down an opponent with his fists of granite, but he will have to chase Mayweather around the ring. The tempo and chase he will not mind, but the need to land a punch will leave him open to mistakes.
In our imaginary minds, the fight is a bonafide classic up there with Hagler-Hearns, Leonard-Duran, Tyson-Holyfield I; before a contract is signed, before a profane remark is uttered, before a weigh-in, before a punch is thrown. But until we hear from Mayweather, that is all we have. Pacquiao as always has left the door ajar and he is not stopping Mayweather to break the door down.
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