
via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 02: Floyd Mayweather Jr. throws a left at Manny Pacquiao during their welterweight unification championship bout on May 2, 2015 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

via Getty
LAS VEGAS, NV – MAY 02: Floyd Mayweather Jr. throws a left at Manny Pacquiao during their welterweight unification championship bout on May 2, 2015 at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)
Eight years post their $600 million showdown, the Floyd Mayweather–Manny Pacquiao debate resurfaces with a twist. Jeff Mayweather recently made intriguing comments about a potential rematch. In 2015, the boxing world witnessed a historic fight. It generated unprecedented revenue and debate.
Now, Jeff’s words rekindle old questions. Did Mayweather owe Pacquiao another chance in the ring? The first match’s outcome still sparks controversy. Pacquiao claimed an injured shoulder affected his performance. Yet, Jeff’s recent interview response was unexpectedly dismissive.
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Was Floyd Mayweather gifted the fight?
Transitioning from a discussion about Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao’s mindset for their epic 2015 bout, the interview with Jeff Mayweather took a compelling turn. The conversation delved into the psyche of both fighters, exploring their preparations and mental states leading up to the fight. It was during this part of the discussion that the interviewer steered towards the much-debated topic of a rematch.
“Do you think Floyd kind of owed it to him?” the interviewer probed, alluding to a potential rematch with Pacquiao. Jeff’s response was immediate and unequivocal, “Nah, he doesn’t owe him anything.”
The interviewer pressed on, seeking clarification, “You sure?” Jeff countered, “Why?” It was at this point that the interviewer brought up a contentious point: “Cause he got a gift decision the first time, I don’t want to see a gift-” Jeff interjected, his tone laced with sarcasm, “Yeah okay, he got a gift, all right.”
This exchange, captured in the interview, not only highlights the differing perspectives on the first fight’s outcome but also underscores the Mayweather camp’s confidence in Floyd’s victory. Despite the ongoing debates and Pacquiao’s assertions of an impeded performance due to a shoulder injury, Jeff’s dismissive stance suggests a strong belief in the legitimacy of Mayweather’s win.
Let’s uncover if it was a gift for Mayweather or not by looking at the punch stats.
Unveiling the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight statistics
The historic bout broke pay-per-view records with 4.6 million buys. Floyd Mayweather, known for his tactical brilliance, threw 435 punches, landing 148 at an impressive 34% accuracy. In contrast, Pacquiao, battling with a compromised right shoulder, managed to land 81 of his 429 punches, translating to 19% accuracy.
Official @CompuBox stats for @FloydMayweather UD 12 win over @MannyPacquiao #MayPac pic.twitter.com/gVhJqOiBVU
— CompuBox (@CompuBox) May 3, 2015
Mayweather’s jab was particularly effective; he landed 67 of 267 jabs, overshadowing Pacquiao’s 18 successful jabs from 193 attempts. Although Pacquiao threw more power punches (236 to Mayweather’s 168), Mayweather outperformed him here too, landing 81 to Pacquiao’s 63. This statistical breakdown clearly delineates Mayweather’s dominance in the fight, with him landing an average of 12 of 36 punches per round compared to Pacquiao’s 6 of 35.
Does the Mayweather camp’s steadfast dismissal of a rematch underscore confidence or overlook a potential chapter in this storied rivalry? What do you think – should Mayweather have granted Pacquiao a rematch earlier, or is the legacy of their 2015 encounter best left as it stands?
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Watch this story: 5 Unbreakable Records Held by the Boxing Legend Manny Pacquiao
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