Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao Fight Predictions: Who Wins? [VOTE]
Finally. It's here.
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are set to square off at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday, May 2. The fight that everyone has been waiting for has both the WBO and WBA Welterweight Championships on the line. The winner will also receive a $1 million emerald belt.
We've been dissecting this fight from every angle for the last six years. Latin Post breaks it down and predict who will win:
Floyd Mayweather (47-0)
Mayweather comes in as the No. 1 ranked fighter in the Welterweight division thanks to his undefeated record. He may be 38 years old, but Mayweather still has world class speed in the ring that helps him avoid getting hit. Mayweather always throw less punches than his opponents, thus resulting in a fatigued challenger. Mayweather's great athleticism and endurance give him the ability to outlast is opponents in the late rounds.
In each of his last two fights, Mayweather successfully defeated Marcos Maidana by decision. Mayweather's last opponent before Maidana was Saúl "Canelo" Alvarez back in 2013. Mayweather will be boxing with his $25,000 mouthpiece on Saturday night.
Arguably the biggest advantage going for Mayweather in this fight is his size. Mayweather stands an inch and a half taller, but it's the arm length that really stands out. Mayweather has an outstanding five inch reach advantage over Pacquiao. Many boxing experts believe Mayweather will simply exploit the reach advantage over Pacquiao, and attempt to win the fight by avoid close contact by way of decision.
Mayweather's biggest criticism is his punching power. The last time Mayweather knocked out an opponent, other than the infamous "Victor Ortiz not looking" fight, was Ricky Hatton in 2007.
Manny Pacquiao (57-5-2)
Trying to dethrone Mayweather will be the No. 2 ranked Welterweight fighter, Manny Pacquiao. Pacquiao has been waiting for this fight for years. Now, he finally gets his chance. Pacquiao's story from growing up poor in the Philippines to where he is now is an incredible one, and he feels like he must win this fight for his country.
Pacquiao is shorter and not as quick as Mayweather, but he does have superior power. Because Pacquiao has a much shorter reach, he will have to get in close to do much of the damage. Fortunately for Pacquiao, he is used to being the smaller boxer, and that hasn't halted his success in the past before.
Pacquiao is a southpaw, and a good one at that. This will be the X factor against Mayweather.
This will be the third consecutive fight in which Pacquiao faces an undefeated boxer. In his last match Pacquiao faced Chris Algieri, who was 20-0. Pacquiao convincingly won that match. Prior to that, Pacquiao faced, and defeated Timothy Bradley, who was 31-0.
Prediction
This should be a close fight, as both boxers are past the prime of their careers. We probably won't get a snooze fest because Pacquiao wants to land a big blow, and he will have to get in close. Mayweather's speed and quick reaction against Pacquiao's southpaw power will be the key to watch.
Trainer Freddie Roach would love nothing more than to watch Pacquiao send Mayweather to the canvas. Mayweather may be fast, but Pacquiao has great hand speed as well. Pacquiao will strike early, thus putting Mayweather in an unfamiliar territory against a worthy opponent. The fight will go the distance as both boxers have good stamina, but Pacquiao will land more power punches.
Pacquiao wins by majority decision
Vote in our poll below on who you think will win
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