The long wait is almost over. Floyd Mayweather (47-0, 26 KOs) faces Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) at the MGM Grand, Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, tonight – in what will be the highest grossing boxing match of all-time.
Ringnews24’s writers’ give their prediction on the fight that has everyone talking.
Corey Quincy
Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao is finally here, but might not have the credentials of a Fight of the Year candidate. Expect an effort rising and dwindling again on both men’s parts and a narrow UD for the man with superior defence, Floyd Mayweather Jr. It’s about a 60/40 fight in his favour, but I can’t be so sure that the time isn’t too late for him to adorn the “Fight of the Century”. He should still be able to win it, but Manny Pacquiao is an especially difficult night due to his many offensive weapons. He’ll be best to pick his spots, use the ring, and slow the pace of the fight. That is just what I expect a 38-year-old Floyd Mayweather Jr to do for the win. Mayweather
George Jimenez
This prediction should be pretty easy for me to make since I have always predicted that Floyd Mayweather is too technical sound and too experienced for Pacquiao. I believe Pacquiao will start this fight by putting pressure on Floyd and probably winning the first 3 rounds on the cards. Starting in round 4, Floyd will adjust and begin to land his signature straight right hand which will make Pacquiao more tentative to throw punches on the inside. The middle rounds will go to Pacman, but the later rounds will be swept by Mayweather. I believe Floyd’s defense, counterpunching, and footwork will give Pacquiao nightmares. However I do believe Pacman will find Floyd and tag him with some straight lefts and body punches. I believe Juan Manuel Marquez gave Pacquiao fits and he is not as good technically as Floyd is. He is also not as good counter puncher. Prediction: Floyd by UD or possible late stoppage. Mayweather
Rachel Aylett
The only way Manny can win as the smaller man is by utilising his hand and foot speed – in and out fast with his barrages of shots. The best counterpuncher he has met, Marquez, always gave him nightmares. Money is much better than Marquez at this weight. It would not surprise me if Manny walked onto a counter and went over, but for me it’s Money on points. I’ve always believed it was fated for Floyd to retire undefeated. His ego could not take a loss. Mayweather will win because it is written. Mayweather
Victoria Villa
I know that everyone is saying that Floyd is too technical and his defence will be impenetrable against Pacquiao but everyone has that one weak spot and Pacquiao will be able to find it within the 1st – 4 rounds. Pacquiao’s jab will definitely find its target and will focus his attack on Floyd’s head. Pacquiao’s loss to Juan Manuel Marquez should not be an issue in this fight – after all JMM figured him out after 4 fights. Pacquiao will win with a split decision – his speed will give Floyd problems. Pacquiao
Anthony George
I always felt Floyd had an edge in style, but he has been a lot more hitable in the last few fights he has had. If he tries to lay back and rely on what people call “boxing”, Manny will catch him with clean shots on the ropes and win rounds for being the guy who tried to make the fight.
Floyd is not going to be able to win this fight on the scorecards if he fights the way he did against Maidana. He is going to have to be more offensive and think KO. He has to give Pacquiao something to think about and give him something he is not going to expect. The best way to disrupt Pacman’s offense is to be aggressive and sit down on hard punches, even if they are counters.
At one time Mayweather was a very good offensive fighter. He needs that guy to be resurrected Saturday night. I think Mayweather knows this more than anyone, and we are going to be treated to the fight of the year. Mayweather TKO 9. Mayweather
James Tonks
I am disappointed this fight didn’t take place five years ago. Instead, we get two ageing fighters who are arguably past their prime. That being said it is still an interesting match-up between two legends of the sport. I expect Pacquiao to start fast and take an early lead in the opening couple of rounds. At the half way stage, I can see Pacquiao being in the lead by a couple of rounds in a close battle. I expect Mayweather to adapt and come on strong, in the second half of the fight, and go on to win the fight before announcing to the boxing world that he would fight Pacquiao again. Mayweather
Reni Valenzuela
It can be a one-sided fight either way, it depends on Floyd. If Mayweather opts to be aggressive offensively, Pacquiao will win. But if older Mayweather will “run” or maintains defense as his key weapon, Pacquiao may lose. It’s a 60/40 winning chance for the boxer whose style would prevail. Roach is immaterial in a Pacquiao win, but he shares the blame big if Pacquiao loses. Pacquiao
Bobby Mac
In a fairly contested fight in a climate calling for an Al Haymon investigation with a former FBI Director the new Nevada commish, I expect Manny might well knock out Floyd or make him quit, ie his little pinky finger taking a stink in the ring. However, if this is the usual canned MGM Floyd suspects running the show, I expect having to fight both Bayless, the judges and Floyd will prove insurmountable for Manny. It all depends on if boxing in it’s greediest moment in time can come clean with a fairly officiated fight. Pacquiao
Paul Gibson
Pacquiao has lost much of his power and some of his accuracy over the years so I can’t see any way he’ll stop Mayweather. But he does still have the foot speed to get in and out of range and the work rate to throw enough punches throughout the fight to score well and win rounds. I just don’t think he’ll win enough of them though.
Floyd will weather the inevitable storms and counter at will as he has done 47 times before. The safest bet is Mayweather by relatively comfortable unanimous decision but I think there is good value in backing a late stoppage. Floyd is the bigger man and if he chooses to be a little bolder than usual, he could repeatedly land big as Manny, knowing he’s behind, goes for broke in the championship rounds.
I can see Floyd Mayweather stopping Manny Pacquiao in the 11th round. Mayweather
Rob Day
Five years is a long time in boxing. Five years ago, we would have seen the two best fighters on the planet, at their absolute peak. It’s now 2015, and while both are still at the top of the sport; they have aged and digressed. Still, they are tremendous fighters and the fight on Saturday night, is still as intriguing as it always was.
I would’ve backed Manny Pacquiao, the first time around, and I am backing him this time. Over recent years, he’s had many outside of the ring distractions but for this fight; his total focus will be on winning. We are likely to see the best from the Filipino fighter in quite sometime. Floyd is a magnificent athlete and will pose an almost impossible puzzle but I believe that Pacman can get in and out with flurries, to win the rounds. The rounds will be close and I see it as a split decision victory, on the judges scorecards. Prediction: Manny Pacquiao Points. Pacquiao
Michael Jurczyk
Mayweather vs Pacquiao is the fight we have all been waiting for, for many years now. It can be said that both fighters are on the slide and past their prime, however both are still at the top of boxing. The way I see it, the least likely outcome is a Pacman KO, as Manny hasn’t had a knockout in a while, and Mayweather has a great defence and chin. A draw is also out of the question, as I doubt that judges will be inclined to score it even; in the biggest fight in boxing history.
Mayweather is a great counterpuncher, and he could catch Manny, like Marquez did, so a Mayweather KO is very possible. Pacquiao’s a great fighter, and has a chance to win, however I don’t see it. Pacquiao doesn’t have a “dirty” style of fighting and although his punches have power and speed – I don’t see him backing Floyd into the ropes the way Maidana and Cotto did (also Castillo if we retrospect). If the fight is fought in the center of the ring as I think it will, Mayweather outpoints Pacquiao in a close fight, where Pacquiao is there to land the right hand at ease in some of the rounds. Knockdowns may occur on both sides, while it is more likely Pacman will be caught by a counterpunch and go down.
Judges may see it different; my final prediction for the fight is Mayweather SD (setting up a rematch) , while the general consensus among the boxing community will be 115-112 for Mayweather. Get ready people; this is a fight we will remember for a long time! Mayweather
