Floyd Mayweather vs. Manny Pacquiao: Predictions and Odds for Championship Fight

Only a few days remain until Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather meet for arguably the most anticipated fight of the century.

On Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, after all the pre-fight mud-slinging and speculation, the world of boxing will finally get to see the contest it has been calling out for.

But who will prevail? Mayweather's 47-0 record is at stake, but he leads the way with the bookies. Pacquiao will do all he can to be the first fighter to topple Money.

Here is a look at the odds ahead of Saturday's superfight, along with predictions for how it will play out.

Odds	Predictions
Mayweather win (4-9)	Pac-Man to dominate early proceedings
Pacquiao win (2-1)	Mayweather to come to the fore in second half
Draw (14-1)	Mayweather to win on majority decision

The contrast in style of the two men is the most exciting element ahead of Saturday's fight, and it should be fascinating to watch two masters of their craft go head-to-head.

Pacquiao is sure to come out fast—his aggression and speed are his most dangerous weapons—and if he can grab the upper hand early on, Mayweather will be in trouble.

The 36-year-old Filipino has bounced back impressively since back-to-back defeats to Timothy Bradley and Juan Manuel Marquez in 2012, but his ability to still administer the knockout blow is under scrutiny.

Between 1997 and 2001 he won 13 consecutive fights by KO or TKO, but he has now not won a fight in such fashion since 2009.

This could well play into Mayweather's hands, as if the fight goes the distance, the American will surely win. 

The 38-year-old American will feel Pacquiao out in the first few rounds—as suggested below by Church Street Boxing Gym trainers Jenaro Diaz and Jason Strout, speaking to Bleacher Report—and he should be able to hold Manny off:

Mayweather's defence is legendary and has been key to him maintaining a perfect record throughout his professional career.

The fact that Pac-Man has failed to knock an opponent out in the last six years suggests he will certainly not be able to do so in the early rounds against a boxer of Mayweather's quality.

Harry How/Getty Images

The latter rounds are where Mayweather will dominate. He will not win by a knockout—he rarely has in recent years—but in 12 rounds, Mayweather will prevail with the judges.

It will surely be close, as Pacquiao is good enough to land punches on Mayweather and cause him problems, but Money is the favourite for a reason.

There is so much at stake on Saturday. Not just Pacquiao's WBO welterweight title and Mayweather's WBA (Super), WBC and The Ring welterweight titles, but reputations and legacies. 

It is set to be a scintillating occasion, and it is now only days away.