Floyd Mayweather vs. Robert Guerrero: Key To Victory for Both Fighters

Floyd Mayweather and Robert Guerrero are both accomplished veterans with just one loss between them compared to 74 career victories.

Their upcoming fight on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas is a highly anticipated matchup that will be for Mayweather's WBC Welterweight title and the vacant Ring Welterweight title.

According to IBOBoxing.com, Mayweather is the No. 1 welterweight in the world and Guerrero is No. 3.

Both fighters possess vast knowledge, supreme skill and world-class talent, but only one can walk out of the ring victorious. Conditioning will be a huge key for both fighters, as this bout will likely go the distance.

With that in mind, let's take a look at the biggest key to victory for both fighters.

Floyd Mayweather: Stay in the Middle of the Ring

In recent fights, Mayweather has opted to let fighters come to him and back him into a corner at times. It's a strategy that has worked well for Money May, who possesses a stellar and nearly unbreakable defensive shell. 

That said, Mayweather would be wise to avoid such a strategy against Guerrero. The Ghost is a vicious fighter in close quarters, and his ability to attack Mayweather's shoulder roll with his left hand will be tough to overcome.

Chances are, Mayweather isn't going to win this fight with a knockout. He's won six of his last eight fights via decision, and Guerrero has proven to be capable of taking some big punches over the past couple of fights in the welterweight division.

The best strategy for Mayweather to pursue is one that will allow him to land a high volume of punches without putting himself in a position where he's on the defensive. 

By keeping the action in the middle of the ring, Mayweather can utilize his longer reach and extensive repertoire of combinations to keep Guerrero off balance and on the defensive—a strategy that usually shows up well on the scorecards.

Robert Guerrero: Drive Mayweather To the Ropes

If Mayweather can stay away from the ropes, he has an excellent chance of winning. Conversely, if Guerrero can impose his will on Mayweather and drive him into the ropes—better yet into a corner—he'll have an excellent chance of winning.

Being a southpaw, Guerrero has an advantage most fighters don't have against Mayweather's excellent defense when he's backed into a corner. His lefty stance allows him to attack with his left hand with more speed and power than fighters who operate out of a standard stance.

In Guerrero's last fight against Andre Berto—a former welterweight title holder—he was able to pound Berto into submission by aggressively driving him into the ropes and then attacking him relentlessly when he had him locked up.

Mayweather is a better defender than Berto, so if Guerrero is to ensure victory he must find a way to breach Money's defenses.

Follow me on Twitter @JesseReed78