Manny Pacquiao Has Floyd Mayweather 'Concerned,' Insists Sugar Ray Leonard

Boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard believes Manny Pacquiao has what it takes to slay Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Saturday night.

One of the sport's all-time greats believes "the winner will be the fighter who brings his A-game and his mental and spiritual calm into the ring," reported by Jeff Powell of the MailOnline. While he suggests "this is Floyd's chance to cement all that he has been saying about himself as 'The Best Ever,'" Leonard indicates Pacquiao will have his opponent "concerned," per Powell's report:

"

When you know you are going up against one of the great boxers in the world you are concerned. You can’t be certain of what you are facing until you get hit.

[...]

Manny has been round the block a few times, has a great trainer in Freddie Roach and he’ll be ready. Floyd has fought here often and he feeds off the big stage, like myself and (Muhammad) Ali used to do. The bigger the stage the better for him.

"

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Leonard detailed his thoughts on Manny's potential route to victory:

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If he can bring back the speed and the power he had against Oscar de la Hoya and Miguel Cotto we are in for a very interesting fight. There could also be a few surprises for the fans, like maybe a couple of knock-downs late on.

[...]

Most fighters would never be the same again after a KO like [the one Pacquiao suffered to Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012]. But Manny is an anomaly. There will be no self doubt. If it’s true that Floyd’s legs are slowing down then Pacquiao is the one who could take advantage.

"

Leonard beat Floyd Mayweather Sr. in 1978 via technical knockout, per BoxRec, and knows what it's like to have the eyes of the world watching. The legendary technician's last Vegas bout came in 1989, when he defeated Roberto Duran at the Mirage Hotel and Casino. He admits when a fight reaches the magnitude of Mayweather-Pacquiao, "it's scary for everyone," even the fans attending.

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Everything appears stacked in favour of Mayweather. His defensive style is less prone to losing its force as age sets in, he's in his adopted home of the MGM Grand, and his 47-0 record remains unblemished. It perhaps wasn't obvious just how much taller he is than Pacquiao (5'8" against Pac-Man's 5'6½") until the pair came face to face at their press conference too.

Pacquiao will be working hard to rediscover the power that has seen him confirm 38 of his 57 victories by knockout, per BoxRec. His trainer, Freddie Roach, has suggested Pacquiao's southpaw stance will pose the most trouble for Mayweather.

"That's where Floyd is most vulnerable," he said, per Powell. "We're at the point where Manny could beat him with his right arm tied behind his back."

Interestingly, NBC sportscaster Bob Costas recently told Bleacher Report that Leonard would have also troubled Mayweather in his prime:

Whether Pacquiao wins or not, many want to see exactly what happens when Mayweather receives a monster hit.

Mayweather's chin appeared impenetrable when Shane Mosley, back in 2010, landed arguably the hardest shot Mayweather has received in professional boxing, highlighted below:

Pacquiao is capable of unleashing hammer blows to the body, but Mayweather poses a target unlike any other. His technical defensive style isn't easily matched in sparring and allows him to settle into tougher fights. Something creative and truly special will need to be concocted by Pac-Man and his team.

Mayweather possesses one of the sport's most brilliant minds. His ability to find a solution in moments of difficulty has catapulted him to being recognised as the world's best pound-for-pound fighter. Pacquiao will be disappointed to lose but will be distraught if he doesn't even provide Mayweather with significant questioning like Leonard suggests he can.