Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao: Three Reasons Why Mayweather Will Win

Floyd Mayweather will surely beat Manny Pacquiao when the two finally meet in their long-awaited matchup May 2 in Las Vegas. Of that, we can be sure — unless, of course, you read something that says the exact opposite. Though Mayweather, who’s long been considered the best fighter in the world, has been accused of being frightened to put his 47-0 record (with 26 knockouts) on the line against Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs) — who is still a legitimate top-five pound-for-pound fighter — he’s finally signed his name to a fight that will be one of the biggest, most-hyped and most-lucrative fights in boxing history. Make no mistake, though. After meeting for the first time in person at a Miami Heat basketball game, a meeting which helped lead the two to finally agree to this fight, Mayweather will beat Pacquiao (probably by unanimous decision). Here are three reasons why.

1. He’s faced all different kinds of fighters and never lost: Mayweather has faced heavy punchers. He’s faced boxers. He’s faced boxer-punchers. He’s faced unconventional fighters. He hasn’t lost to any of them. Pacquiao has a bit of all of the above in him. He has a heavy punch (though it’s been nine fights since he actually scored a knockout). He can box or brawl, and the way he throws his punches is rather unconventional. Maybe Mayweather hasn’t seen the kind of package of skills Pacquiao will throw at him, but that doesn’t mean he can’t figure out Pacquiao by the middle rounds. The Mayweather ring intelligence and his crafty defense will help him win the day here.

2. Mayweather is still too slick in the ring: One reason Pacquiao supporters believe their man will give Mayweather his first loss is because it appears as though the 38-year-old Mayweather is slowing down. His reflexes on defense have always been outstanding — they’re what have helped make him one of the most-impressive fighters in boxing history — but he also was hit hard by Marcos Maidana in their two fights (Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto also briefly hurt Mayweather in their bouts against him). Mayweather’s chin has never let him down, but if Pacquiao can connect with something hard — or better yet, a combination of something hard — he could put Mayweather on the floor. But he won’t, because Mayweather is still simply too slick to get hit solidly by Pacquiao. He’s always known how to avoid danger, and though Pacquiao is probably the most dangerous opponent of his career, Mayweather will keep himself upright.

3. This is for Mayweather’s legacy: Although this fight probably should have occurred a half-decade ago when both men were in their primes, this matchup is still significant for Mayweather’s legacy. If he would have retired without facing Pacquiao — even if he retired with an undefeated record– his career always would have carried an asterisk. If we’re talking about how Mayweather will be viewed in boxing history and if we know that’s important to Mayweather himself, it’s hard to see him losing to Pacquiao at this point in their careers. But don’t take my word for it. Here’s what Mayweather’s father and trainer, Floyd Mayweather Sr., had to say about the matchup: “Floyd is smarter than him, Floyd is quicker than him, has more knowledge, and I’m going to tell you this right here: Floyd can’t lose to him.” All of which means Mayweather certainly will win. Unless the EXACT OPPOSITE happens.