Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather, Jr.: 10 Predictions
The thought that Antonio Margarito could defeat Manny Pacquiao based on raw grit, determination and a power advantage has been put to bed indefinitely.
While Margarito showed he has the heart of a champion, never even thinking about quitting, Pacquiao simply decimated the popular Mexican fighter.
His blinding speed and tremendous stamina were overwhelming for Margarito, who despite showing some flashes, never looked like he had a legitimate chance to win the fight.
If fans think back to when Floyd Mayweather fought Shane Mosley in May, Mosley did land some big punches in the early rounds and looked dangerous.
However, as the fight went on, Mayweather was able to weather the storm, as Mosley was visibly tiring and leaving himself vulnerable to combination after combination.
The bottom line is that both Mayweather and Pacquiao have defeated almost every legitimate top-tier contender out there, so it may finally be time for these two tremendous fighters to go toe-to-toe.
While this may not be the next fight for either competitor, one would have to hope that this fight goes down within the next year.
Here are 10 predictions the fans can bank on for this potentially huge super-fight.
1. You’re Going to Hate Mayweather Heading into This One
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…that is, if you don’t already. Mayweather’s fanbase is growing scarce after he already dodged this fight once and yet still talked a ton of trash about Pacquiao.
Furthermore, it is no secret that Mayweather is going to lay it on thick throughout the course of the HBO’s 24/7 series, which the Pretty Boy actually co-founded.
Mayweather is clearly the heel heading into this one, and he will certainly play this up in the months heading into the fight.
2. Pacquiao Will Have Revenge on His Mind
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Revenge for what, you ask? Revenge for all the insults Mayweather has thrown, and will continue to throw, Pacquiao's way.
Pacquiao has never been much of a trash talker, and even with Money Mayweather making it personal, do not expect that to change.
Instead, anticipate Pacquiao training harder than ever in an effort to embarrass Mayweather in front of a massive crowd.
3. This Will Be the Highest-Selling Boxing Pay-Per-View of All Time
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Mayweather holds the current record from when he fought Oscar De La Hoya in 2007. This fight was bought in an unheard of 2.4 million households, shattering the old record of 1.99 million held by Tyson vs. Holyfield II.
With that being said, it would not be unheard of for a Pacquiao-Mayweather super-fight to bring in viewers from around three million households.
This would be a fight that even the most casual of boxing fans would be eager to see, since in all honesty, it would be the fight of a lifetime.
This would certainly be one for the ages, which is why no one is going to want to be the guy (or girl) who misses it.
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4. Mayweather-Pacquiao Could Be a Real-Life Balboa vs. Creed
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Balboa vs. Creed II, that is, since Rocky was a huge underdog in the first fight. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao is going to be a very physical fight where both guys are going to be bloodied and bruised by the time the final bell sounds.
It would also not be surprising to see both fighters hit the canvas at some point, since both Mayweather and Pacquiao are in a class of their own and capable of doing things previous opponents have not.
5. This Fight Will Bring Boxing Back to National Prominence
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It is no secret that boxing is not a sport followed by every casual sports fan anymore. With the sport of mixed martial arts continually on the rise, the sport of boxing has mostly been forced to take a back seat in recent years.
However, a matchup the caliber of Mayweather-Pacquiao will easily get the boxing world buzzing again, even if the buzz is just temporary.
This fight would certainly ignite a spark in the public eye, and once the fight is over, fans will be curious to see what each fighter does next.
The bottom line is that this super-fight will attract a lot of new fans, and bring back a lot of old ones, as well.
6. Negotiations for This Fight Will Not Be Settled Overnight
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We all realize that working out a contract that both fighters agree with for this fight is not going to be easy.
How is the purse going to be split? Will it be a 50/50 split? Should the winner make more money? If so, how much more money?
And of course there’s the lingering issue pertaining to drug testing. Both sides have vehemently different view points on how this should go, so how difficult will it be to find a happy medium?
These questions and more need to be answered before both sides can sign on the dotted line.
7. The MGM Grand Garden Arena Will Host This Fight
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While Cowboys Stadium has shown some promise as a boxing arena recently, hosting Pacquiao’s last two fights, the clear choice here has to be the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
Think about all the great fights this historic arena has held in the past. Mayweather vs. De La Hoya. Tyson vs. Holyfield (both times). Moorer vs. Foreman. Pacquiao vs. Cotto.
So why not Mayweather vs. Pacquiao? Sin City is the perfect place to host a fight of this magnitude, so do not be surprised if it's announced as the fight location.
8. This Will Define Both Fighters' Careers
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Will Floyd “Money” Mayweather’s career be viewed in the same light as Mike Tyson, George Foreman, and even Muhammad Ali?
If he were to defeat Manny Pacquiao, Mayweather’s career record would be an unprecedented 42-0.
Mayweather would love to end his career on a high note by defeating a fellow future Hall of Famer.
Meanwhile, Pacquiao would love to be the man to put the sole blemish on Mayweather’s otherwise perfect professional record.
While Pacquiao is likely to be fighting for several more years, a win over Mayweather would only further enhance his reputation as the best pound for pound fighter in the world.
Regardless who he would fight afterwards, it is unlikely he would ever encounter someone as talented as Mayweather is ever again.
The opposite would of course be true for the Pretty Boy, which is why both guys need this fight to cement their respective places in boxing history.
9. Pacquiao’s Speed Will Keep Him in the Fight
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If there was any question that Pacquiao’s speed will allow him to hang with any fighter, look no further than his most recent outing against Antonio Margarito.
Despite giving up 17 pounds and a six inch reach disadvantage, Pacquiao continuously hurt Margarito with four, five, and six hit combinations that just could not be defended.
And do not think for a second that these punches did not hurt Margarito a lot, as his right eye was nearly swollen shut by the fights end, with a large gash under his right eye as well.
Hospital reports after the fight indicate that Margarito suffered a broken orbital bone from all the Pacquiao punches he absorbed.
While Mayweather is a more highly skilled fighter than Margarito, he needs to be weary of Pacquiao’s biggest strength heading into this one.
10. Mayweather’s Unique Style Could Frustrate Pacquiao
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Mayweather’s shoulder roll technique, along with great speed and stamina of his own, make him a tough challenge for Pacquiao to overcome.
Additionally, Mayweather’s defensive, counter punching style, plus constant movement, and allows him to incur minimal damage over the course of the fight, even against the heaviest handed punchers.
Pacquiao’s speed should allow him to get through Mayweather’s defense at times, but when he gets hit by Mayweather, it is going to hurt a lot more than what he is used to.
Both fighters will likely take a lot more punches then they normally do, which is one reason why this epic showdown could go in either man’s favor.
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