Who will win the megafight between Floyd Mayweather (47 wins, 0 losses) and Manny Pacquiao (57 wins, 5 losses, 2 draws) on May 2 in Las Vegas? We make early predictions below.
In my view, Mayweather will do the necessary things that will disrupt Pacquiao’s unorthodox attack and cruise to a unanimous decision win over the Filipino great. Photo by Elsa/Getty Images Background
This fight should have happened between 2009 and 2011 when both fighters were at their primes. Mayweather, 38, and Pacquiao, 36, have noticeably declined in their last few fights as both enter the twilight of their careers. This matchup will still break financial records because both men have a large following.
But it’s like watching a late 30s Michael Jordan square off against an old Kobe Bryant in a one-on-one game of pickup basketball. Still, the boxing world considers this a superfight because of the fame enjoyed by each fighter and a seeming culture war between two opposing personalities.
Early odds give Mayweather a 71 percent chance of winning this fight to Pacquiao’s 29 percent.
Mayweather’s Advantages
“Money” has the mental edge going into this fight, having enjoyed the perks of being the “A” side on most negotiating terms. His confidence is boosted knowing that the other side had to make plenty of concessions to make the megafight possible.
Mayweather’s superior boxing and defensive skills have resulted in an impressive 47-0 undefeated record, and we see how Manny Pacquiao struggles against this type of opponent (think Juan Manual Marquez and Timothy Bradley). Mayweather is efficient with his punches and doesn’t like to waste his physical movements.
He’s the best counter-puncher in the sport and that may be a nightmare for Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach.
Pacquiao’s Advantages
Still, Manny Pacquiao is a dangerous fighter because of his explosiveness, punching power, and aggressiveness. But it will be the Filipino’s volume of punches that will give Mayweather the most trouble.
The American welterweight will frequently need to distance himself and move away (run) from Pacquiao inside the ring, and score with tactical touches (via Olympic style) when he can.
Mayweather struggles against southpaws and unorthodox opponents. His defensive approach may not be exciting but it works. “Hit and don’t get hit,” Mayweather always says.
Pacquiao hasn’t knocked anyone out since 2009 and that discounts his physical prowess at this point of his career. The “Pacman” will need to score big when it counts and disrupt Mayweather’s logical fighting style with weird angles and feints.
Early Prediction
In Sun Tzu’s “Art of War,” the Chinese general says that the victorious warrior imposes his will on the enemy and does not let the enemy impose his will on him. In tactical terms, it means you irritate your enemy if he is calm. You attack him on the left if he is unprepared there.
You hold out baits to lure the enemy, thereby controlling his movements. You do the opposite of what the enemy wants you to do.
In my view, Mayweather will do the necessary things that will disrupt Pacquiao’s unorthodox attack and cruise to a win over the Filipino great. Mayweather by points on all three judges’ scorecards.
