Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: PPV Start Time and Final Fight Predictions
After a flurry of scuppered negotiations, hollow words and years of festering animosity, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao are just hours away from stepping into the ring together.
The fight is set to be career-defining for both men, as each looks to cement his status as the finest boxer of the current generation. The pair will be rife with nervous anticipation as the bout edges ever closer, while the boxing stratosphere can sit back and enjoy what will be one of the most iconic sporting showpieces of all time.
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Here’s all the information you need to ensure you don’t miss this pay-per-view occasion, as well as an examination of how this fight is going to pan out under the bright lights of the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao Will Relish Underdog Status
Where: MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas
When: Saturday, May 2 at 9 p.m. ET, 2 a.m. BST
Mayweather has conquered a host of distinguished fighters in his storied career. Whether it’s coming up against the unyielding aggression of Marcos Maidana in his last outing, the experience of Oscar De La Hoya or the youthful exuberance of Saul Alvarez, the American has come through all to cement his reputation as one of boxing's greats.
Pacquiao is a different proposition entirely, though. As noted here by Skip Bayless of ESPN, Pac-Man has the skill set to cause big problems for Money:
Even for those favouring the Filipino in this bout, there are a few caveats. While Pacquiao is a boxer who's always looking to get on the front foot, even he may have to rein it in against Mayweather. Those ferocious bursts of punches will cause problems for the American, but they must be timely and precise.
If not, the fight will quickly shift Mayweather’s way. His ability to nullify an oncoming opponent with his plethora of debilitating defensive traits is marvellous, as is the manner in which he can pick fighters off who are a little erratic in their advances. Pacquiao has shown he can be susceptible to sharp counterpunching too:
But someone as experienced as Pacquiao will learn from that kind of knockout, and ever since he lost to Juan Manuel Marquez, the darting lateral movement that was a penchant of his sensational rise has been back in earnest.
That skill will be vital to his chances, especially as he bids to avoid Mayweather’s thunderous right hand. Indeed, Pacquiao’s trainer Freddie Roach thinks the speed of his man will ultimately swing the bout in his favour, per SuperSport:
"I know he (Mayweather) is a good fighter but I just think I have the better fighter. Hand speed is going to be a big, big difference in this fight and Manny is much quicker than he is.
I don't think he can really hurt Manny so I am not worried about that so much. Mayweather has a good right but I don't think he can knock Manny out with that hand. I don't think he can move like he used to because his legs aren't what they were.
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Mayweather is facing some pressure coming into this fight. For a long time he has been accused of dodging this bout, and while he’s been imperious in the overwhelming majority of his professional fights, Pacquiao poses the biggest threat to his undefeated record.
Pac-Man can pull this off too. So long as he is patient during what will be some tense opening rounds, picks his punches with composure and keeps up his head movement throughout, he can unsettle Mayweather. It’s an ominous challenge, but given how decorated he is, Pacquiao should relish and tackle it with distinction.
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