Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Floyd Proves He's Nearing Weight Limit Ahead of Fight

Floyd Mayweather Jr. is within touching distance of reaching the welterweight limit ahead of his bout with Manny Pacquiao on May 2.

Pretty Boy weighed in at 150.5 pounds during the WBC's mandatory 30-day check, which allows a 10 percent excess on the 147-pound limit. TMZ tweeted an image of Mayweather on the scales:

Pacquiao is also "comfortably" within the current limit, according to Jeff Powell of the MailOnline.

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Powell's report indicates "there was a modicum of surplus fat at the sides" of Mayweather's waist, but that he should easily pass the next check, which is set to take place one week before the fight. At that stage, only a five percent excess is allowed (just over seven pounds). Mayweather is already within this perimeter.

The 47-0 fighter uploaded a video of a recent recovery session to Instagram. In the clip, he is seen to be enduring a quick blast in the Cryotherapy Chamber, which speeds up the body's recovery after a challenging training session:

Regular checks on fighters' weights have been put into place to ensure both competitors remain safe. Losing too much weight shortly before a bout increases the likelihood of brain damage through fluid loss, reported by Powell.

Both men are now well en route to being fighting fit for the Vegas bout. This is the most important encounter of their careers, the clash that casual boxing fans and even those who don't watch the sport will recall. As such, a perfect training camp is vital to ensuring both are properly conditioned before the bell tolls.

Freddie Roach, who is preparing Pacquiao for the fight, believes his man is taking on Money at just the right time, reported by Boxing Scene (h/t Sky Sports):

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Back in 2010 (when the fight was originally planned), Manny was still growing into a welterweight. His first two welterweight fights were against Oscar De La Hoya in 2008 and Miguel Cotto in 2009 where he only weighed 142 and 144 pounds respectively, and in between he dropped down to 138 to fight Ricky Hatton.

Floyd has been campaigning as a welterweight since 2005 and weighed 150 in his fight against De La Hoya, so that might have given Floyd an advantage. I still like Manny's chances in that fight, but I think the Manny of today has a lot more in his favour.

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It will be interesting to see exactly what kind of shape both brawlers enter the ring in. Pacquiao may look to make this his heaviest welterweight contest in a bid to combat Mayweather's bigger size.

Power and busyness is Pacquiao's key to victory, particularly if Mayweather is going to deploy the defensive style that has made his career such a success. Overwhelming the American and cutting him off with sharp movement in the early stages could be pivotal to stopping Floyd settling into his usual rhythm.

These are the fine details, but right now, it's great to see both men are working toward peak condition.