Real talk, this fight is intriguing on so many levels. A lot of people I've talked to feel like Shane is used goods and past his prime and Floyd will pick him apart. Call me crazy, but I disagree on such a level that I think this fight may be as difficult for Floyd as the Manny fight.
1) Manny, even though he's active, has a definite rhythm which I think in the latter half of the fight Floyd may have figured out and began to pot shot Manny and move. Shane is a hyper, no rhythm type Dude who will be hard for Floyd to sit in the pocket and time.
2) I think people will be surprised at how big Floyd looks compared to Shane come fight night. Shane is definitely a strong fighter, but even though he has fought as high as 154, he is a smallish Welterweight in terms of overall Dimensions. I think for anyone to expect Shane to come in and completely overpower Floyd is in for a surprise. I even see Floyd, once he gets comfortable, backing Shane up from time to time.
3) I see Shane as one of the few 'Warrior Spirit' type fighters that Floyd has fought (Castillo was one as well, and he gave Floyd fits in the first fight). Floyd likes to pot shot and move, but Shane is a fighters fighter, and he will immediately respond to a big shot with one or two of his own, and his variety of power shots may give Floyd fits, especially if he can get his hard Jab going.
4) Timing vs. Speed. While Floyd has impeccable timing, he is not as fast as a lot of people believe. It's just that his reflexes and timing are so many levels beyond most fighters, it give the illusion he has super speed. I believe in this fight Shane will have the speed and power advantages, but Floyd's timing and accuracy will also cause Shane a lot of trouble. Both fighters have the ability to hurt each other, Shane being more of the power puncher, Floyd with more of the Flash variety (both of which would result in a two point round).
Verdict:
I see a tough fight, I see Floyd having to come out of his normal envelope and lead more to offset Shane's aggressive style. I see Shane forcing the issue, eating a lot of leather coming in, but with his Granite chin surviving big shots for the most part. I see Floyd being forced to fight, being marked up quite a bit and maybe even getting dropped. I see the fight morphing into a war where Floyd finally silences his critics by proving that if needed he can fight as opposed to box, and Shane proving he has a lot left in the tank.
Floyd by very close split decision or a draw. I believe the judges will be more impressed with Floyd's accuracy and his versatility than Shane's aggression and power punching. I see a fight competitive enough that a rematch may initially trump a Manny/Floyd fight, especially if Manny struggles with Clottey.
Thoughts?
1) Manny, even though he's active, has a definite rhythm which I think in the latter half of the fight Floyd may have figured out and began to pot shot Manny and move. Shane is a hyper, no rhythm type Dude who will be hard for Floyd to sit in the pocket and time.
2) I think people will be surprised at how big Floyd looks compared to Shane come fight night. Shane is definitely a strong fighter, but even though he has fought as high as 154, he is a smallish Welterweight in terms of overall Dimensions. I think for anyone to expect Shane to come in and completely overpower Floyd is in for a surprise. I even see Floyd, once he gets comfortable, backing Shane up from time to time.
3) I see Shane as one of the few 'Warrior Spirit' type fighters that Floyd has fought (Castillo was one as well, and he gave Floyd fits in the first fight). Floyd likes to pot shot and move, but Shane is a fighters fighter, and he will immediately respond to a big shot with one or two of his own, and his variety of power shots may give Floyd fits, especially if he can get his hard Jab going.
4) Timing vs. Speed. While Floyd has impeccable timing, he is not as fast as a lot of people believe. It's just that his reflexes and timing are so many levels beyond most fighters, it give the illusion he has super speed. I believe in this fight Shane will have the speed and power advantages, but Floyd's timing and accuracy will also cause Shane a lot of trouble. Both fighters have the ability to hurt each other, Shane being more of the power puncher, Floyd with more of the Flash variety (both of which would result in a two point round).
Verdict:
I see a tough fight, I see Floyd having to come out of his normal envelope and lead more to offset Shane's aggressive style. I see Shane forcing the issue, eating a lot of leather coming in, but with his Granite chin surviving big shots for the most part. I see Floyd being forced to fight, being marked up quite a bit and maybe even getting dropped. I see the fight morphing into a war where Floyd finally silences his critics by proving that if needed he can fight as opposed to box, and Shane proving he has a lot left in the tank.
Floyd by very close split decision or a draw. I believe the judges will be more impressed with Floyd's accuracy and his versatility than Shane's aggression and power punching. I see a fight competitive enough that a rematch may initially trump a Manny/Floyd fight, especially if Manny struggles with Clottey.
Thoughts?