Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Fight Card Schedule, Predictions and Updated Odds
On May 2, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will finally settle the years-old argument of who is the superior fighter.
This bout has almost happened a few times over the past several years, but there has always seemed to be something to keep it from coming to fruition.
After Saturday's event, there will be no more excuses and no more speculation. We will finally know for sure who is the more skilled boxer. This fight is so special that a new belt has been created for the winner.
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The event is expected to break pay-per-view records and bring new fans to the sport due to the insane hype that has been built up ever since the fight was made official. It's the main event people are paying to see, but we will also be treated to several other bouts beforehand.
Here is a look at the fight card schedule, start time and the odds for each matchup.
| Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao | Mayweather (-285) Pacqiao (+225) |
| Leo Santa Cruz vs. Jose Cayetano | Sanat Cruz (-10000) Cayetano (+1600) |
| Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Gamalier Rodriguez | Lomachenko (-3333) Rodriguez (+1200) |
| Jesse Hart vs. Mike Jimenez | Hart (-1000) Jimenez (+550) |
| Christopher Pearson vs. Said El Harrak | Pearson (-2000) Harrak (+800) |
| Andrew Tabiti vs. Anthony Caputo Smith | Tabiti (-3333) Smith (+1200) |
| Brad Solomon vs. Adrian Granados | Solomon (-1500) Granados (+700) |
Date and Venue: Saturday, May 2, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada
Event Start Time: 6 p.m. (ET)
Anticipated Main Event Start Time: 11 p.m. (ET)
PPV Info: Dish Network, DirecTV, Comcast, AT&T U-Verse, Sky Box Office, HBO and Showtime
Celebrity and Athlete Predictions
It seems like everyone has a favorite to win the big fight, but some are on the fence. Many different celebrities and athletes have weighed in with their thoughts on who will walk out with that fancy new belt.
Both Charles Barley and boxing legend Sugar Rey Leonard discussed the big fight, and neither man was able to come up with who they thought would have their hand raised at the end of the night.
Bob Costas was also torn on the subject, but he expressed his feelings on who would win based on the pace of the fight. He says if the fight is slow and boring, Mayweather will get the victory, but if it's a little more exciting, Pacqiuao is the likely winner.
UFC mainstay Rashad Evans is a little more firm in his stance:
"Mayweather, because for 19 years, Mayweather has been champion. People say he hasn’t fought anybody real and he’s picked opponents, but one thing you cannot take away is his skill.
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Boxing legend George Foreman thinks it will come down to a decision by the judges. His words seem to indicate he favors Pacquiao, but he acknowledges the raw defensive skill of Mayweather as the thing that may lead him to victory.
UFC President Dana White, a man who knows a thing or two about professional fights, gives the edge to Mayweather. He said that had the bout happened five years ago, he would have gone with Pacquiao, so time has played a big factor.
Based on these statements, it appears that Mayweather is favored to win by most, but Pacquiao certainly has a wealth of supporters in the industry.
If you want to find out what numerous other athletes and celebrities have to say on the subject, make sure to check out Bleacher Report's "Who Ya Got?" hub for Mayweather vs. Pacquiao.
As far as this writer is concerned, it's going to be an interesting night. It all comes down to the first couple of rounds. If Pacquiao can land enough shots to throw Mayweather off his game, he will be able to put down the undefeated boxer.
That said, Mayweather is a defensive genius. If he is able to avoid Pacquiao's quick strikes and focus on landing smart punches, he will almost certainly walk away with the beautiful emerald belt.
It all comes down to strategy. Both men are intelligent fighters, but mistakes are made all the time. If I were a betting man, I would put my money on Mayweather, but I hope Pacquiao gets the win.
Who do you think will win the big showdown on Saturday? Share your thoughts in the comments section below. Follow me on Twitter @BR_Doctor.
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