Floyd Mayweather's Career Record and Keys to Victory in Manny Pacquiao Fight

Floyd Mayweather Jr. faces arguably the toughest test of his career on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. 

He will step into the ring to face Manny Pacquiao, putting the perfect professional record he currently has to his name at risk.

The 38-year-old is undefeated in 47 fights, and the smart money suggests that he will be 48-0 come the end of proceedings on Saturday. That is the tip of four-time world champion Carl Froch:

However, Money is taking a huge risk by fighting 36-year-old Pacquiao, the man many believe can finally beat the American:

Mayweather has been accused of shirking challenging fights in the past and hand-picking easy opponents to keep his unbeaten career record intact, per Steve Davis of Boxing News 24.

It has certainly worked. He has never really been threatened—the great Oscar De La Hoya was in the twilight of his career when Mayweather beat the Golden Boy in 2007—although his first fight with Marcos Maidana was close.

Wins	47
Losses	0
Draws	0
TKO	18
KO	4
UD	18
MD	2
SD	1
RTD	4

Pacquiao will surely be his biggest challenge yet.

Read on for a look at the keys to victory for Mayweather in Saturday's fight.

Keys to Victory For Mayweather

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First things first for Mayweather is to make sure the fight goes the distance. If the bout goes all 12 rounds, Money will likely win on decision, as he has the tactical nous to sway the judges.

Each of Mayweather's last five fights has been won on decision, and his ability to build into a fight is one of his great strengths.

Pacquiao is unpredictable. His punches come from every angle and at great speed. Mayweather's legendary defence will thus need to be up to scratch for him to avoid getting hit by any of the Filipino's dangerous combinations.

Mayweather needs to keep to his usual game plan, and it does not look as though his head has been turned by the enormous hype. As far as he is concerned, it will be just another fight, per BBC Sport's Ben Dirs:

"

[This fight] is all about the money. Saturday is just work, I'll just do what I do. But I'll make upwards of $200 million for this fight, which is $50 million apiece for my kids.

"

The right hand will be key for Mayweather when he attacks. It was a right hand that saw Pacquaio knocked out by Juan Manuel Marquez, and he is susceptible in that area as a constantly attacking southpaw.

Mayweather will have to be patient, but at some point, Pacquiao will leave himself open. A crushing right hand from Money could prove the difference in the fight.

Pacquaio is sure to come out fast, but Mayweather can and should weather the early storm. If he can avoid any heavy blows from Pac-Man in the opening exchanges, he will be able to work on him in the later rounds.

As boxing legend Sugar Ray Leonard suggests, Mayweather has the ability to work out his opponent early on and then break him down:

Pacquiao is a very popular figure. He is a great personality and a blockbuster fighter. For that reason, he is being well backed to become the first man to beat Mayweather, per ESPN.

However, while he may not be the most exciting fighter, Mayweather is a tactical and intelligent boxer unmatched in his generation.

Should he play to his strengths, defend well and take the fight to 12 rounds, he will win and keep his legacy intact.