Mayweather vs. Pacquiao: Updated Odds, Undercard and Main Event Predictions
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao are not the only boxers set to fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night.
Though the pair's clash is undoubtedly the main event—indeed arguably it is boxing's biggest event of the century—there is some decent talent on show on the undercard.
There will be six fights before Pac-Man and Money take to the ring, including two title defences.
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Read on for full predictions and Odds Shark's latest odds for the undercard bouts, as well as a closer analysis of how things will play out in the main event.
| Boxer 1 | Prediction | Boxer 2 |
| Floyd Mayweather (20-57) | Mayweather Wins (Decision) | Manny Pacquiao (9-4) |
| Leo Santa Cruz (1-100) | Santa Cruz Wins (Stoppage) | Jose Cayetano (18/1) |
| Vasyl Lomachenko (1-33) | Lomachenko Wins (Decision) | Gamalier Rodriguez (12-1) |
| Jesse Hart (1-10) | Hart Wins (Decision) | Mike Jimenez (11-2) |
| Christopher Pearson* | Pearson Wins (Decision) | Said El Harrak* |
| Andrew Tabiti (1-33) | Tabiti Wins (Stoppage) | Anthony Caputo Smith (12-1) |
| Brad Solomon (1-15) | Solomon Wins (Stoppage) | Adrian Granados (7-1) |
*Odds unavailable at time of writing.
Pacquiao to Win First Three Rounds
The opening exchanges of Saturday's superfight will be very intriguing. In all likelihood it will be a cagey start, with neither fighter wanting to take any risks early on.
However, history suggests that the 36-year-old Pacquiao will win the opening exchanges. The Filipino is an aggressor and will attack from the start.
Meanwhile, Mayweather historically gives away the opening rounds as he looks to get the measure of his opponent, according to Church Street Boxing Gym trainers Jenaro Diaz and Jason Strout, via Bleacher Report:
It would not be a huge surprise if Money is rocked early on, as he was in the opening exchanges of his fight with Oscar de La Hoya in 2007.
Pacquiao should look to land some early combinations which could give him the edge as the fight goes on, but a knockdown early on is highly unlikely.
Mayweather to Dominate from Round 6
There is a theory going around ahead of Saturday's fight that Pacquiao will need to knock Mayweather out if he is to win. Certainly that is the view of four-division world champion Juan Manuel Marquez, according to Yucatan.com.mx (h/t Boxing News 24):
"I don’t see Pacquiao winning by decision. It depends on how the fight develops. We know how are the judges of Las Vegas (sic); it was clear when José Luis Castillo fought Mayweather, we saw the Mexican fighter win, but the judges gave it to Mayweather. If Pacquiao doesn’t knock out Mayweather, he’s not going to win.
"
It will surely be 38-year-old Mayweather's game plan to win on the cards, and he should gain the advantage by dominating in the second half of the fight.
Pacquiao will throw more punches in the early rounds and could begin to tire late on. Mayweather's accuracy has always been one of his great strengths, and he will land more telling blows from Round 6.
Mayweather's defensive prowess is unmatched, and he will be able to protect himself from a knockout blow while working on Pacquiao in the latter stages.
Mayweather to Drop Pacquiao in the Ninth
Pacquiao is an undeniably exciting fighter. He is fast, aggressive and powerful, characteristics which make him a threat to Mayweather's 47-0 record.
However, his instinct to always attack can be a weakness, as he leaves himself open by coming in so often.
Marquez was able to drop Manny in 2012 with a fierce right hand because he left himself open. Mayweather's right hand is similarly dangerous. Such is his accuracy that he could well land a telling blow late on as Pacquiao looks to finish strong.
A knockout blow is highly unlikely from Money, but he should have enough to send Pacquiao to the mat.
Prediction: Mayweather to win by majority decision
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