Mayweather v Pacquiao: TheAOSN Staff Picks
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“Mayweather v Pacquiao!” This is it, boxing fans. The fight that boxing enthusiasts have been waiting to see for the better part of the last decade will finally happen on Saturday, May 2nd, as Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather answer the bell at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
After 5 contentious years of negotiations and multiple attempts to get this fight scheduled, Mayweather made an announcement in January of 2015 to announce that both camps had come to an agreement to have the fight, dubbed “The Fight of the Century”.
Ever since the announcement, anticipation has continued to grow among boxing fans and observers alike, and the stage is now set for one of the biggest (if not THE biggest) payday ever in the sport. The 1,000 or so tickets that went on sale to the public sold out within minutes, and ticket brokers on eBay can currently be seen asking for starting bids of $17,000 per ticket. Showtime/HBO will be providing the pay-per-view coverage, and it is expected to be a record-breaking PPV.
The 5′ 61⁄2” Pacquaio will enter the fight with a 3-2 record over his last 5 fights and a 57-5-2 (38 KOs) overall record.
Meanwhile, Mayweather, who stands at 5′ 8″, enters the fight with an unblemished 47-0 (26 KOs) record.
Fight weight has been set at 147 lbs. Kenny Bayless, who has previously refereed Mayweather fights 5 times and Pacquiao fights 7 times, will be the referee for the night.
As all the eyes of the world will be watching, TheAOSN is no exception, and below are the staff outlooks and predictions for the fight:
Rafael Rodriguez: I think it will be a great fight. I think that Pacquiao will approach Mayweather differently than other boxers. He will not be conservative, and will seek to hurt Maywheather. However, Mayweather is one of the best counter-punchers, so this is shaping up to be a best attack vs. best defense match. I feel that Mayweather has the advantage with his counters over Pacquiao, who will need to be very good to not catch himself getting hit with Mayweather’s quick jabs if he wants to win. Pacquiao has the advantage over Floyd with quickness and power combos. I definitely think this can go both ways, and my prediction is Pacquiao in a decision.
Manny Alcala: This is the fight everyone is waiting for, and with all the anticipation I hope it lives up to the expectations. Mayweather was smart to not fight Paquiao some years ago when the rumors of negotiations began. I feel that Paquiao was in the prime of his career. Mayweather continues to be a very strategic boxer and should have the advantage if the fight comes to a decision. Although I want Paquiao to win this fight, I believe Mayweather will be victorious in a split decision.
Sergio Llamas: I didn’t comment because I know little about boxing. I want Pacquiao to win, hopefully by knockout, but suspect that Mayweather will fight specifically to not allow himself to get knocked out. Mayweather will most likely be the winner by unanimous decision.
Joe Steele: Boxing isn’t something I’m really interested in, but I hope Pacquiao wins. In the end, I think it goes the distance and Mayweather wins via decision.
Julian Beck: This is the fight of the decade that has been highly anticipated and it is finally here. The fight should be one for the ages with both fighters being on top of the boxing world. Pacquiao is a type of fighter that Mayweather has never faced before, due to his speed and power. Mayweather is a wizard on defense and will make Pacquiao work to land his punches, but the Filipino legend has the ability to put Mayweather on the canvas and it just may happen. Fight ends in 10 rounds, Pacquiao knocking out Mayweather
Adam Wible: Finally we have the fight we’ve been waiting 5+ years for. With all the hype this week between both fighters there is only one fact that needs to be pointed out. 8 of the last 10 Mayweather fights have ended via decision, and he has not knocked out an opponent since 2011 against Victor Ortiz. If this fight happened back in 2010, I’d say Pacquaio would have a solid chance at knocking out the champ, but we’re in 2015 now, and Mayweather continues to show he has the best defense and counter in the sport of boxing. With that being said, this fight will go the distance, and Mayweather will take the fight via unanimous decision. I would be shocked it Manny took more than 4 rounds from the champ.
Kyle Nuss: I’m not really into boxing and don’t have the info to make a compelling argument. I will say, though, that I want Pacquiao to win via decision. I’m forking over some good money for the fight!
J.D. Orosco: Like Adam said, its the fight that we have all been waiting for for a very long time. I’m happy its finally going down but not being too knowledgeable on boxing, I will have to say that I want Pacquaio to take this fight in 12 rounds.
Derek Tang: 5 years ago, I would’ve been jittery with excitement about this fight. With the surge of interest in MMA/UFC, boxing has needed a fight like this to create some buzz for the sport. Pacquiao in his prime was simply one of the most explosive boxers who has ever entered the ring, and no matter how much Mayweather has built his name on sound defensive boxing and picking his spots to counterpunch and wear down opponents, it would’ve been very difficult for him to keep up with Pacquaio back then. This weekend, however, I anticipate that Mayweather will use his defense and elusiveness to let Pacquiao wear himself down. On the flip side, Pacquiao has to be aware of this advantage that Mayweather has, and what I foresee is Pacquiao going for the quick win in rounds 1 and 2 before things settle down and both circle around each other until rounds 9 through the final round 12, where Pacquiao gives it one more surge to attempt finishing with a flourish. I am calling Pacquiao in a split or majority decision, and would honestly not be surprised with a draw.
