#MayPac: The Stars Predict Their Winner Of Mayweather v Pacquiao
The fight of the century between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas is almost here, and celebrities and experts are ready to make their predictions. Here is what the stars are saying about the bout:
Oscar De La Hoya (retired professional boxer): “I believe this fight is going to be more exciting today than five years ago because both guys are not as agile on their feet. Mayweather has lost a step or two with his legs and so has Pacquiao. Pacquiao will have a chance to connect a few punches on Mayweather and vice versa.”
Wladimir Klitschko (professional boxer): “From a boxing standpoint I give Floyd a 51 per cent advantage, Manny 49 per cent. Watching their two styles, I think Floyd has a slight advantage and will win on points.”
Miguel Cotto (professional boxer): “After working with [Pacquiao’s trainer] Freddie [Roach] I think Freddie is going to be huge in the fight. I’m going for Manny.”
Lennox Lewis (retired professional boxer): “Pacquiao will definitely win. Pacquiao is just too tough and too strong. Pressure and a lot of punches just beats Floyd up.”
Evander Holyfield (retired professional boxer): “It’s a toss-up, because their styles are just that different. Pacquiao, the only way he can win is if he corners him off. If he corners him off, I think he will win. I don’t think he can. But that’s what makes the fight so interesting.”
Paulie Malignaggi (professional boxer, Showtime boxing analyst):“Little by little the trick is if Floyd is having his way he’ll be able to frustrate Pacquiao into realizing that, ‘The offense that I have that works so well is not working here.’ And then as the rounds go on and he starts to get the timing better off of Pacquiao’s misses and makes him pay, he’ll start to be comfortable stepping in harder on the counters. He’ll start to be comfortable leading [the exchanges] more than he has been leading because I don’t think early on he’ll be leading a lot If you back up Manny Pacquiao, does he even know how to defend himself? I think that’s a key point in the fight because I do see Floyd eventually walking him down. If Pacquiao doesn’t know how to defend himself at that point, the fight becomes one-sided.”
Ricky Hatton (retired professional boxer, current boxing promoter/trainer): “What I do know is that if anyone can beat Floyd for speed it’s Manny. And that as a southpaw he neutralises that left shoulder roll defence of Floyd’s. Even more important he throws the straight rights which could get through that defence. Yet I still go for Floyd. Just. On points. At home. But it’s so close that if I was down to my last pound I wouldn’t want to put it on either of them.”
Peter Quillin (professional boxer): “I think Mayweather is the best purest pugilist in the world right now today. Manny Pacquiao is the best fighter all around, even with the losses, he’s still a great fighter. But for me I’m going to pick Mayweather, and I’m going to tell you why. Because it’s a personal thing I have. He’s from Grand Rapids Mich. I’m from Grand Rapids Mich. He inspired me to be where I’m at today, and I wanna pick that guy only because he’s as close as to somebody I can touch that’s from where I’m from and made it to the highest level.”
Tom Brady (New England Patriots quarterback): Floyd Mayweather
Shaquille O’Neal (former NBA All-Star/current TV analyst): Floyd Mayweather by seventh-round KO
Jamie Foxx (actor/singer): Floyd Mayweather
Chris Rock (comedian): Floyd Mayweather
Terrell Owens (former NFL receiver): “I’m favoring Mayweather for this one. I think it’s something that everybody’s been waiting for. This is a fight to see. I think this is one of those iconic moments that are gonna go down in history. Everybody’s been waiting for this and hopefully it pans out to be what everybody expects.”
Alex Rodriguez (New York Yankees player): “My call, which doesn’t mean anything, I would say Mayweather in a decision.”
Jim Ross (in WWE Hall of Fame): “I think Mayweather wins. I think Pacquaio should be really happy he’s getting this fight. Trying to be a politician, he’s a singer, and maybe it is that he’s compensating for the skills he’s lost in the ring.”
Mark Wahlberg (actor/producer): Manny Pacquiao
Stephen A. Smith (ESPN personality): “I’ve said for years, that I”m picking Mayweather. I’ve said for months, I’m picking Mayweather. I’ve said for weeks, I’m picking Mayweather. I’ve said for days, I’m picking Mayweather. And come May 2nd, I’m still gonna be picking Mayweather.”
Stephen Curry (Golden State Warriors player): Manny Pacquiao
Rashad Evans (UFC fighter): “I gotta go with Mayweather and I’m going to say that because for 19 years, Mayweather has been champion. People say he hasn’t fought anybody real and he’s picked opponents, but one thing you cannot take away his skill.”
P. Diddy (rapper/music producer): “I’m rolling with The Money Team!” (Mayweather)
Jerry “The King” Lawler (WWE wrestler): “I just got to say it’s a tossup. I’m going to enjoy it. I’m going to watch it. But I have no clue who will win. … To me, this is going to be one of those fights where I just watch two guys beat the hell out of each other and I’m just going to sit back and have fun watching it.”
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