10 Experts pick the winner out of Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao

Charles Brewer, former IBF super-middleweight ruler:

โ€œWhile I believe this will be a somewhat competitive fight, Iโ€™m picking Mayweather as the victor. I personally find there are too many faultโ€™s in Mannyโ€™s defence, that I feel Floyd will exploit. Donโ€™t get me wrong, this will by no means be a walk in the park for Floyd; Manny has tasted defeat and will probably feel he has nothing to lose in this fight, and that mindset is one of a very dangerous opponent!ย  But my pick is Mayweather by majority decision.โ€

Montell Griffin, former WBC light-heavyweight king:

โ€œI think that at this point in their careers, I have to pick Floyd. I think they have both declined a little and Pacquiaoโ€™s flaws will be shown in this fight. Also, Floyd adapts to styles better than anyone.โ€

Iran Barkley, former middleweight, super-middleweight and light-heavyweight boss:

โ€œFloyd will beat him [Pacquiao]. And theyโ€™ll both make big, big money. There is no way Pacquiao can win that fight. I think Floyd Mayweather wins the fight easy!โ€

Ivan Robinson, former lightweight contender and two-time conqueror of Arturo Gatti:

โ€œI think Pacquiao beats Floyd. Styles make fights and I think Floydโ€™s defence has gotten a little soft. And Manny Pacquiao could always punch. I think Pacquiaoโ€™s stance, his combinations and his will to win will upset Floyd. I donโ€™t see a KO though.โ€

Clinton Woods, former IBF light-heavyweight champion:

โ€œItโ€™s Floyd Mayweather on points for me. I think he is too big and too skilful. Actually, I think Mayweather might win by a late KO.โ€

Harold โ€œThe Shadowโ€ Knight, former super-featherweight contender and former co-trainer of Lennox Lewis:

โ€œItโ€™s hard to go against Mayweather. Still, itโ€™s not going to be easy. I feel Mayweather has all the tools to win, but he also has early-rounds problems with a southpaw, until he figures them out after around four rounds. But here lies the problem: Pacquiao throws punches in bunches and from all angles – he is awkward.ย  Then again, no fighter is the same after being knocked out the way Pac-Man was [by Juan Manuel Marquez] Then again still, Mayweather doesnโ€™t take chances and he is not a devastating puncher. I like Mayweather; he is fresher, even if his legs donโ€™t have the same bounce [they used to have]. Pacquiao will not be able to hit Mayweather like he hit his other opponents. I go for Mayweather by close decision. However, if it is very close, they might do a Lennox Lewis-Evander Holyfield at Madison Square Garden [when the fight was ruled a hugely controversial draw]!โ€

Thomas Hearns, former multi-weight king and all-time great:

โ€œIโ€™m glad that fight is coming up, but I tell you this; there is no way that fight will top the fights me and [Marvin] Hagler and [Ray] Leonard had! I donโ€™t care how much theyโ€™re getting paid. Their fight will not reach that status, no way. I have nothing bad to say about Mayweather or Pacquiao, theyโ€™re both great fighters. Mayweather is smart. I just donโ€™t know if Pacquiao can match what Mayweather does in the ring.โ€

Sergio Mora, former WBC light-middleweight champion:

โ€œI think earlier in their careers, Pacquiao could have challenged and possibly gotten the better of Mayweather (Mayweather on a bad night, that is). I think Floyd is one of the most naturally gifted, self disciplined fighters in boxing history. I donโ€™t think this 2015 version of Manny Pacquiaoย  can beat Floyd Mayweather – especially with all the stringent, Olympic style blood testing being administered. Itโ€™s Mayweather by decision for me.โ€

Glen Johnson, former IBF light-heavyweight ruler:

โ€œI believe Mayweather will win the fight by unanimous decision. Pacquiao isnโ€™t fighting with the energy he had five years ago, when he had the best chance he had of beating Mayweather. Thatโ€™s the kind of urgency he needs now in order for him to beat Mayweather. He will lose the fight, he doesnโ€™t have what it takes to beat Mayweather.โ€

Jay Deas, trainer of current WBC heavyweight king Deontay Wilder:

โ€œMayweather by decision. The things people donโ€™t realise about Floyd are thatโ€™s heโ€™s stronger than you think and he hits harder than you think. If he didnโ€™t have sting in his punches guys would run through him, but they donโ€™t. The respect his power, like Canelo [Alvarez] did. The other thing is Floyd makes you work harder than youโ€™re used to working. Watch the first-round Vs. [Shane] Mosley; Mosley is a veteran but heโ€™s burning energy like itโ€™s going out of style. At the end of the round, (trainer) Nazim [Richardson] told him, โ€˜I need you to calm down!โ€™ Floyd is so cool and calm, if he were a car, heโ€™d operate at 2rpm. Thatโ€™s why they wear out against him in fights and he takes over.

โ€œHe makes his opponents fight at a higher, more intensive level, and they really donโ€™t know why. Itโ€™s kind of like a guy who jogs a 5K run by himself every day and never gets tired. Put 30 runners around him in a 5K race and heโ€™ll get very tired due to the anxiety and extra energy heโ€™s exerting. This is what Floyd does, he keeps his composure while burning you down. I think itโ€™s a close fight for eight rounds and then Floyd takes over.

โ€œI would also add that being a good, crisp puncher and being a KO puncher are two different things. Floyd will get your attention, even if he doesnโ€™t knock you out. Also, do you remember how much bigger Floyd was than [Juan Manuel] Marquez? He looked a division bigger and he fought like it. I think heโ€™ll be the much bigger guy here as well. If I had to predict the scores, they will be something like this: 116-112, 115-112 and 115-113, all for Floyd.โ€

READ the trail to the SUPERFIGHT

MORE on Manny Pacquiao

MORE on Floyd Mayweather

SUBSCRIBE TO BOXING NEWS โ€“ established in 1909 โ€“ FOR JUST ยฃ5.99

Share Page