Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather are set to collide with their respective opponents in separate venues within the year. Pacquiao will face former WBA champion Brandon Rios on Nov. 23 at the Venetian in Macau, China, while Mayweather will face Saul “Canelo” Alvarez on September 14 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather and Pacquiao are facing tough opponents but it appears that Pacquiao is in for a tougher fight when he squares off with Brandon Rios while fight fans predict an easy fight for Mayweather against Alvarez. Mayweather and Alvarez are both undefeated in their professional careers but the pound-for pound king has what it takes to beat Alvarez. Aside from experience and skill in the sport, Mayweather will be facing Alvarez at a catchweight of 152 pounds, a hastily agreed catchweight that could turn Alvarez into a dehydrated fighter on fight night. Alvarez has been active in the light middleweight level and coming down to 152 would take its toll on his endurance and power. As usual, Mayweather is expected to maintain a safe distance in the early rounds and try to coast along toward the later rounds once he has accumulated enough points as he has done in almost all of his fights. Winning by knockout is not Mayweather’s forte. He doesn’t care what critics say about his boring fighting style so long as he wins the fight on points. A knockdown win is usually a bonus for the unbeaten champ. Considering the weight limitations imposed by Mayweather on the terms of the contract as well as his unchallenged skill in the sport, there is little doubt he will score a split or unanimous decision over the young Mexican champion. In the case of Pacquiao-Rios match, it would be a tough fight for Pacquiao as he is coming off 11 month layoff by Nov. 23 since losing to Marquez last Dec. 8 via a stunning sixth round knockout. Certainly Pacquiao’s long period of inactivity will take its toll on his body and if the fight will drag on towards the later rounds, he may not be able to withstand Rios’ attack. Rios has been active in the past years, fighting three times in 2011 and twice in 2012. In order to win, Pacquiao must knockout Rios in the early rounds.
