Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Expert Predictions and Latest Odds Ahead of Big Fight
Former WBA welterweight champion Ricky Hatton knows what it's like to feel the wrath of Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. The Englishman, who will be part of Sky Sports' commentary team when the May 2 superfight arrives, suffered two devastating career losses to the iconic stars.
He is better placed than most to offer his prediction for the upcoming Las Vegas encounter. Although Hatton admits Pac-Man brings an intensity like no other fighter, he suggests Mayweather's thinking power will make the difference, per Jeff Powell of the MailOnline.
"Floyd is the brains of boxing. Always thinking. So clever defensively. So sharp in picking his shots. Though not a murderous puncher like Manny. He's undefeated because he can always find a way to win.
Pacquiao is the power. He's always jumping down your throat. Never stops throwing punches. Tell you the truth I wasn't in there long enough with him to work him out fully.
[...] Yet I still go for Floyd. Just. On points. At home. But it's so close that if I was down to my last pound I wouldn't want to put it on either of them.'
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Mayweather is currently the -210 favourite, with Pacquiao's betting line currently at +170, according to Odds Shark. The American's 47-0 record makes him an obvious pick, particularly as Pacquiao's power looks to have diminished since the moment he sent Hatton spiralling to the canvas in 2009.
Kell Brook, a welterweight contender who could fight Mayweather or Pacquiao in the future, is "leaning towards Floyd Mayweather," according to Sky Sports. He alludes to the fighter's unbeaten career, his familiarity with Vegas and insists Pretty Boy is "too clever" for Pacquiao.
Heavyweight supremo Wladimir Klitschko admits that, despite admiring Pacquiao, he would wager on Mayweather proving triumphant. The Ukrainian spoke to Nick Murray of Rolling Stone:
"I think on the boxing side, slight advantage for Mayweather—51 percent for Mayweather and 49 percent for Pacquiao. As a person, I like Pacquiao better than Mayweather, but from a boxing standpoint, I think that Mayweather has a better chance to win this fight.
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Those favouring Pacquiao often do so because of the influence trainer Freddie Roach has on his preparation.
The Filipino's strength and conditioning coach, Justin Fortune, suggests Pacquiao must fully implement Roach's game-plan to outfox Mayweather's technical defensive style, reported by Gareth A. Davies of The Telegraph: "If he listens to Freddie, he'll get the win and the KO. Freddie Roach is a great trainer and he's found the holes in Floyd's game. He'll present a plan and Manny will execute it."
Miguel Cotto has stepped into the ring with both fighters and also spent time working with Roach. He believes the veteran trainer will make the difference: "After working with Freddie I think he is going to be huge in the fight. I'm going for Manny," per Sky Sports.
Roach himself is confident Pacquiao will grab a career-defining win, as told to Bleacher Report's Stephen Nelson:
We're just nine days from knowing exactly who is correct. Mayweather's stunning career and ability to never lose momentum rightfully makes him the heavy favourite, but it would be foolish to write Pacquiao off. This is a man who has come back from two potentially career-ending defeats to get himself into position to make history.
The odds are currently stacked against Pacquiao, as are the predictions of those who know best. Yet, as Mayweather will know, one hard slug from Pac-Man can finally make that irreversible dent on his record.
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