Well the biggest fight of the century is upon us and Team Behind the Gloves gave their predictions for the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao. See the predictions below:
Oun Abbas Hussain – UK Editor and Correspondent for Behind the Gloves.
Well the fight is nearly here and I’ve had a long time to think of it but still keep waking up changing my mind. Mayweather has the defence that would stop many great fighters from landing and his counter punching is second to none.
Pacquiao has the lightening hand speed and awkward angles of punches in his arsenal to cause many problems as he has shown in the past.
I see Pacquiao adding pressure from the outset and can see Floyd countering Pacquiao throughout parts of the fight. Eventually for me, speed and punch output (and punches landed) will conquer and Pacquiao to win via a close points decision.
Prediction: Manny Pacquiao via a split decision.
Kevin Doyle – Staff Writer
I’m going with Pacquiao to win with a late KO/TKO in rounds 10-12.
Tim Martin – Staff Writer
Much as it pains me to say Mayweather in the 10th
Nick Austin – Staff Writer
Mayweather is a clear favourite, but I’ve had a feeling for ages that Pacquiao will do it on points, split decision…. Probably controversial!
Anthony Rivera – Social Media Coordinator & Staff Writer
Well Fight Fans, the bout that you have been waiting for is finally here. For one night and hopefully the foreseeable future, the world will be watching boxing. Whether you’re a hardcore or casual boxing fan, you have been longing for a showdown between Floyd “Money” Mayweather and Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao.
I think the fight will live up to the hype even given both fighters ages. It will definitely be interesting to see how both of their styles come into play.
Mayweather uses his speed for counter punching and defense while Pacquiao uses his speed to relentlessly pursue and punch as much as possible. If Pacquiao is on top of Mayweather from the start using his punches at different angles, Mayweather could be in a world of trouble. He hasn’t had to deal with a fighter with comparable speed in a while.
The one thing Mayweather is good at is adjusting so I would be surprised if by the later rounds we don’t see Floyd bring the heat. Pacquiao’s reckless abandon could be just what Mayweather is looking for and I’m sure his knockout by Juan Manuel Marquez will be on the back of Floyd’s mind. I’ve been struggling with my prediction all week. My heart says Manny Pacquiao, but until he is beaten I am going with Floyd Mayweather to remain undefeated via split decision.
Thomas Flower – Staff Writer
As soon as the fight was announced I fancied Mayweather to win on points. As the fight draws closer I still think this will be the outcome. I can even see Mayweather perhaps stopping Manny in the later rounds. I know he has been doing more swimming and less running and chopping wood in his camp, seemingly focussing on the power which he hopes will make the difference on Saturday night. 48-0 for me.
Dominic Rowan – Staff Writer
The Fight of the Century. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. The most lucrative showdown in boxing history. For six long years it seemed certain that these two pound-for-pound greats would never meet. Yet now, after all the build-up and countless words written, this epic encounter comes down to the same basic raw principles as every other that has gone before it. Forget the three belts on the line. If possible, forget the staggering amounts of money they are both set to make. This is about something more than all that. Two men, weighing just 147 lbs, will battle it out to end the argument once and for all that surely must have nagged away at them for six years. Who is the one? Who is the best fighter of their generation? Floyd or Manny. Take your pick.?
The bookmakers have Mayweather the clear favourite, and rightly so when you consider his staggering 47-0 record. But last year against Maidana there were indications – nothing more than ‘blink and you’ll miss it’ glimpses – that Money was on the slide. But yet the defensive master found a way to remain undefeated. Like he did against Canelo. Marquez. Cotto. Mosley. De la Hoya. The list goes on (and on). Throw into this mix the way Pacquiao was destroyed by Marquez with one punch barely a few fights ago. It’s a brave man or woman who backs against Floyd Mayweather Jr.
And yet. The unnerving calmness surrounding Manny Pacquiao in the build-up to this fight has even the staunchest Mayweather supporters questioning their man. Pacquiao has nothing to lose; his career is not defined by his record, but by the titles won and opponents conquered in eight weight divisions. Mayweather’s whole persona is based on his unblemished record. Can the self-titled ‘The Best Ever’ really uphold his claim to the throne if he were to lose the biggest fight of his career? Undoubtedly the pressure is all on Floyd.
You could spend a lifetime – or rather six years to be precise – trying to predict the outcome of this colossal showdown. But for me, personally, it comes down to the age old choice of picking between head and heart. My head tells me Mayweather remains the technically superior fighter and will box his way to a hard-earned split decision win. But there is this doubt. This nagging feeling inside that won’t go away. Maybe, just maybe, Pacquiao, under the guidance of his trainer and friend, Freddie Roach, has the elusive blueprint that will shock the boxing world.
This is one of the rare sporting occasions that capture the public’s imagination. Everyone from boxing die-hards, to the occasional viewer, to those who haven’t watched a fight in years, will have their opinion on this fight. And so they should. But this isn’t a fight to pick sides. Not really. This is a once in a lifetime event in which you should savour every moment and enjoy it for what it is. Mayweather vs. Pacquiao. The best vs. the best. And they say boxing is dead. Ha.
Sam Cawthray -– Staff Writer
I am going to say it will be over before the 11th round. I’m sliding with Mayweather to be too classy and get the KO.
Sibtain Lahka – Staff Writer
Manny Pacquiao to apply non stop pressure from the first bell. Mayweather will land some clean counters but Pacman will eat them and continue to come forward and force a dog fight. Not all of Manny Pacquiao’s shots will land clear but his pressure and work rate will be relentless and something Mayweather has not previously dealt with.
Pacquiao to win by split decision
Sean McCormick – Staff Writer
I think unless Pacquiao can stop Mayweather within the first four/five rounds, then Floyd will win by UD.
We’ve seen in Mayweather’s previous fights, that the time when his opponents get any degree of success is in the earlier rounds, most notably against Shane Mosley and Jose Luis Castillo and more recently against Marcos Maidana.
I expect Pacman to start at a ferocious pace, and we know that he possesses speed and power the likes of which arguably Floyd has never faced before. I think it’s within those early rounds where Pacquiao needs to make it count and try and force the stoppage.
If those rounds go by and Mayweather is still in there, I can only see him going on to win on points. ‘Money’ is a genius in the ring and there is a reason 47 opponents have failed to beat him.
As the saying goes you can’t beat what you can’t hit, and just
Like Floyd hasn’t faced anyone like Manny before, Pacquiao will be confronting one of the greatest defences boxing has ever seen.
Just like he has done 47 times previously I expect Mayweather even when confronted with hardship, to find a way to win.
Rick Guerrero – Staff Writer
Pacquiao will bring out the best in Mayweather and we’ll see the best Floyd we’ve seen in some time. Pacquiao will force Mayweather to fight every second of every round which is something Mayweather typically prefers not to do.
It’s no secret Pacquiao can be hit and Mayweather is one of the best counter punchers so scoring opportunities will be there all night for Mayweather, especially, again no secret, the counter right. The ring IQ of Mayweather may be the best in the business and he’ll need to use every bit of it as we’ll see him pushed harder and having to dig deeper than he has in some time. Pacquiao’s speed will need Mayweather’s full attention but the legendary shoulder roll should negate the Pac Man’s one true advantage.
Enjoy him while he’s here folks, only a few fights left, Mayweather by unanimous decision.
John Dyer – Staff Writer
I’m going upset, Manny by decision. He’ll outwork Floyd, and his awkward angles will be enough to throw Mayweather off early. He’ll win the early rounds, split the later ones.
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