Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao: Career Records and Prediction

Tickets for the blockbuster boxing event of 2015 may have sold out in less than one minute, per Rory Keane of MailOnline, but it is hard to envisage Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao’s eagerly anticipated fight ending that quickly.

The welterweight showdown on Saturday, May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas has seemed like years in the making, and contracts have finally been signed for a fight that will hopefully end any doubts as to who is the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world.

It’s a date that’s not to be missed, and Mayweather is certainly not going to let anyone forget:

Mayweather is, as you’d expect, feeling confident in the buildup to the fight. He has suggested, per Gareth A Davies of the Daily Telegraph, that he should be considered the greatest fighter in boxing history—not Muhammad Ali.

“No disrespect to Muhammad Ali, but he did it in one division,” said Mayweather. “Ali lost to a fighter with seven fights (on his record, Leon Spinks), but he’s still known as 'The Greatest.' That’s what he put out there. It is what it is.”

Here, we take a look at the career records of the two fighters to see who can lay claim to being the current greatest in the world.

Fighter	Fights	Wins	Wins by knockout	Losses	Draws
Floyd Mayweather	47	47	26	0	0
Manny Pacquiao	64	57	38	5	2

Mayweather

The 38-year-old boasts an unbeaten record in 47 fights, 26 of which have been by knockout, per BoxRec.com. His last five fights have all gone the distance, and seven of the last eight in total have been settled on points. Mayweather’s only win by knockout in that period came in September 2011 when he beat Victor Ortiz inside four rounds.

John Locher/Associated Press

His last two fights, both of which were in 2014, came against Marcos Maidana. Mayweather won the first by majority decision in May last year before claiming a unanimous verdict in September.

While there is likely to be plenty of bad blood bubbling under the surface in the buildup to the fight, it is hard to see Mayweather getting drawn into something resembling a brawl when he eventually gets in the ring with Pacquiao. Money will look to pick Pacquiao off and keep those “Pretty Boy” looks untouched.

Ricky Hatton lost to both fighters and is expecting Mayweather to edge the contest, telling Sky Sports:

"

I think Manny has all the tools in order to beat him. He’s a southpaw which makes it a little bit awkward. He’s got fast feet and fast hands and is probably someone who can match Mayweather for speed.

I think if he can match Mayweather for speed and get in and out like he did against Oscar De La Hoya–straight punches rather than hooks, which Manny is very good at–I think he’s got a great chance.

But my gut feeling is that Mayweather will adapt his style like he always does and probably beat Manny on points.

"

Pacquiao

Jae C. Hong/Associated Press

Though Pacquiao is two years younger than Mayweather, the Filipino has endured a much tougher career after fighting 64 times. He has won 57 of those, per BoxRec.com, and comes into this bout on the back of a convincing win over Chris Algieri in his last fight in November 2014. He knocked Algieri down six times before getting a unanimous verdict.

Algieri next fights Amir Khan, per Kevin Mitchell of The Guardian, and the Briton is hoping to meet the winner of the Mayweather vs. Pacquiao duel.

Pacquiao is certainly ready for the fight:

Like Mayweather, the majority of Pacquiao’s recent fights have been settled on points, with eight of his last nine going the distance. The only aberration in that sequence came when Juan Manuel Marquez knocked him out in the sixth round in December 2012.

Pacquiao has won his last three on points against Brandon Rios, Timothy Bradley Jr. and Algieri, but he does have the power to knock out Mayweather if it does deteriorate into a brutal battle.

However, given the recent records of the two fighters, it is hard to see any outcome other than a decision after what should be a high-class contest.

With Mayweather having fewer miles on the clock than his opponent, the American may just have a bit more freshness about him when the fight reaches the later rounds.

Prediction: Mayweather wins on points.