Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Early Preview and Prediction for Superfight

Forget the "he said, she said" surrounding why it hasn't happened before—Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will step into the ring in less than a month. 

Perhaps the most anticipated fight in the history of the sport, Mayweather and Pacquiao is the biggest draw imaginable, even if some would argue it comes too late in both their respective careers.

Mayweather continues to prove age isn't an issue, while Pacquiao continues to rebuild his credibility after a pair of ugly losses back in 2012.

It's early, but both camps are hot when it comes to chatter and training. Let's take a closer look at the superfight to set the bar for all superfights.

Preview

For Mayweather, this is all about legacy.

The man has always pursued the 50-0 mark, but his agreeing to a fight seems to suggest he finally realizes hitting the mark without a win against Pacquiao will haunt him forever.

So while it's impressive that Mayweather took down Saul Alvarez to fend off the supposed future, then manhandled Marcos Maidana twice (don't be fooled, the first fight wasn't as close as it seems considering quantity doesn't equal quality), it doesn't mean a whole lot without Pacquiao.

Which would explain why Mayweather is so aggressive and open about his training.

Yahoo Global News anchor Katie Couric caught a bit of his training:

Mayweather himself has posted updates on Instagram, including this doozy:

The story is similar for Pacquiao, with a slight variance thanks to those two losses a few years back.

By now, folks know all about the knockout heard around the world. Pacquiao's been on a war path since the losses, though, taking unanimous decisions against Brandon Rios, Timothy Bradley and Chris Algieri.

He's also used social media to hype the fight and showcase his training:

Not that the fight needs any more hype.

After all, it will generate plenty of cash for both camps thanks to a high-definition feed that will cost $99, per ESPN's Darren Rovell.

Much analysis, trash talk and more will hit the airwaves between now and the dance. Bask in it, as this is boxing at a modern peak it might not climb to again. 

Prediction

When it comes to the in-ring aspect, there is no easy way to come to a conclusion.

Mayweather bounces around traditional attacks with an elegance not befit of his 38-year-old body. Headstrong attacks just don't work, he's not going to get caught with a knockout blow, or even be knocked down.

Then again, Pacquiao makes his money by acting as the aggressor, and his ability to strike with speed from unorthodox angles throws in a pair of wrinkles Mayweather isn't used to seeing from opponents.

This seems like a familiar story, though.

Pacquiao is the type of fighter who can make an opponent look bad in the long run because of a volume-based approach. Mayweather is the guy who wins on the scorecards because he avoids the onslaught and makes his few attempts hit with pinpoint accuracy.

This spells trouble for Pacquiao, who will have to work for the win, as Roy Jones Jr. explained to CBS Sports' Lyle Fitzsimmons:

"

Pacquiao may think he'll be able to outwork him and not worry about (Mayweather's) power because he hasn't had to use it. Now that he's gotten older he will use his power, and that's going to be a bigger problem for Pacquiao. Because, to me, the only way for him to beat Pacquiao is to get him out of there.

"

While Pacquiao may come from odd angles, time and again the globe has watched as Mayweather adapts over the course of the first half of a fight and then dominates.

Pacquiao isn't knocking out Mayweather, but the inverse might come to light. While dominating Juan Manuel Marquez, Pacquiao got hit with a slick counter and bit the canvas.

One hiccup is all it takes against Mayweather. Look for this fight to go the distance, but Pacquiao will leave it worse for wear despite quantity and lose.

Prediction: Mayweather defeats Pacquiao by unanimous decision.