Manny Pacquiao Will Beat Floyd Mayweather in Superfight, Predicts Miguel Cotto

Miguel Cotto knows firsthand just how good both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are. Having taken the illustrious pair's best shots, Cotto believes Pacquiao will have his hand raised when boxing's most protracted marquee bout takes place.

Cotto has identified Freddie Roach, the veteran trainer who will be in Pacquiao's corner, as a key factor, per Sky Sports: "After working with Freddie I think he is going to be huge in the fight. I’m going for Manny."

Cotto's time with Roach isn't the only reason his perspective merits being taken seriously. He's stood toe-to-toe with both fighters during his career.

The Puerto Rican was famously beaten to a bloody pulp by Pacquiao in 2009. The image of Cotto's crimson-soaked face stands as an enduring and formidable symbol of Pacquiao's awesome punching power.

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Cotto also came up short in a typical war of attrition against Mayweather in 2012. The latter wore Cotto down with trademark patience and footwork.

It remains to be seen if Pacquiao and Mayweather will stay true to form when they finally square off in Las Vegas on May 2. It would surprise few if Pacquiao came out looking to dominate the early rounds with some big shots.

But it would be just as predictable to see Mayweather avoid the big shots and turn the fight into a cagey and prolonged chess match. That scenario would favour Grantland writer Eric Raskin's view that Mayweather winning by decision is the most likely outcome:

Whatever pattern the fight follows, former Middleweight champion Marvin Hagler believes the fight will live up to its billing. He made that clear, per another report from Sky Sports: "Whether Pacquiao loses in the first round, whether he knocks out Mayweather in the first round, it's still going to be the biggest fight in history."

While at the peak of his powers, Hagler famously lost to Sugar Ray Leonard in 1987. It's a fight Mayweather recalls fondly, per an interview he gave in 2007: "I remember being a kid and saying there would never be another fight bigger than this."

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Even though it's come a few years too late, Mayweather will participate in a bout that may outstrip Hagler and Leonard's clash in terms of both anticipation and hype. Boxing fans have waited too long to see Mayweather and Pacquiao settle an important question.

Opinion has been divided for years over who is better. Perhaps the fight it was easy to believe would never happen will finally settle the question.