London - The biggest names in boxing deliver their verdicts on Saturday’s (Sunday morning SA time) ‘Fight of the Century’ showdown in Las Vegas to Jeff Powell
Mike Tyson
Former undisputed heavyweight champion
‘It will be interesting to see what happens. I just like Manny. Not necessarily because he throws a lot of punches but because he’s very elusive and might be hard to hit. Floyd will have to throw more than 38 punches a round with this guy. Manny will be fast and side to side. Floyd will need to bring an A-plus game.’
Verdict: Pacquiao
Lennox Lewis
Former undisputed heavyweight champion
‘I like Floyd because he’s unbeaten right now. He’s the bigger man and he’s hard to figure out. I don’t think Pacquiao can figure out his movement, nobody can.’
Verdict: Mayweather
Nigel Benn
Two-weight world champion
‘I like Mayweather. No-one has a blueprint on how to beat him. He needs to get the recognition he deserves.’
Verdict: Mayweather
Joe Calzaghe
Undeafeated super-middleweight champion
‘It is up to Manny to throw lots of punches and Floyd has not looked so great (recently). If Manny is the same Manny of two or three years ago he has a great chance of winning. A lot of pressure is on Mayweather, but Pacquiao has nothing to lose and I think he has a good chance. I think he has to knock him out, not points.’
Verdict: Pacquiao
Eddie Hearn
Leading British promoter
‘I am going for a Mayweather 11th-round stoppage. I think Manny will have to push the fight and will make mistakes.’
Verdict: Mayweather
Billy Joe Saunders
Commonwealth middleweight champion
‘Manny Pacquiao. Speed of hands, footwork and angles. Floyd is maybe getting a bit old and I just have a feeling that it will be Pacquiao.’
Verdict: Pacquiao
Frank Warren
Leading British promoter
‘Floyd picks his opponents when he feels the time is right. I am sure he fancies himself big time. If I was to bet I’d say Floyd on points or late stoppage.’
Verdict: Mayweather
Carl Froch
Super-middlweight champion
‘Simple. Floyd Mayweather on points. He’s brilliant.’
Verdict: Mayweather
Amir Khan
Two-time world champion
‘Manny could catch him and he certainly can punch - but Floyd’s so clever, always finds a way to win and will make it look comparatively easy towards the end of a points decision.’
Verdict: Mayweather
Bernard Hopkins
Two-weight world champion
‘Floyd will throw more punches than ever in his life and get a controversial decision.’
Verdict: Mayweather
Evander Holyfield
Ex-heavyweight champion
‘It’s gonna be a real close fight and Manny will get the 12-round decision, not least because boxing likes to see the man who beat the man who beat the man, not fighters retiring undefeated.’
Verdict: Pacquiao
Shane Mosley
Three-weight world champion
‘I lost to both. Pacquiao had me down and hurt but couldn’t finish me off. I had Mayweather in trouble but he came through it well. Floyd to win.’
Verdict: Mayweather
Bob Arum
Pacquiao promoter
‘I’m absolutely convinced that Manny knocks Floyd clean out.’
Verdict: Pacquiao
Julio Cesar Chavez Snr
Six-time world champion
‘My heart is with Manny but if I had to bet it would be on Floyd.’
Verdict: Mayweather
Miguel Cotto
Lost to both men
‘Manny has speed, power and Freddie (Roach) in his corner. I’m picking the PacMan.’
Verdict: Pacquiao
Roberto Duran
Four-weight world champion
‘Mayweather has trouble against this type of fighter. I think Pacquiao will win.’
Verdict: Pacquiao
Ricky Hatton
Knocked out by both men
‘If I was down to my last pound I wouldn’t risk it on either. It’s so close but I give Floyd the edge. Just.’
Verdict: Mayweather
Daily Mail