Mayweather v Pacquiao – It’s All About the Money in Pacman Super Fight

Dubbed ‘The Fight of the Century,’ It’s the bout boxing fans have been calling for since the start of the decade and finally it’s here – it’s Floyd ‘Money’ Mayweather Jr vs Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao in a WBA, WBC and WBO Welterweight title unification match at the famous MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA. Screened live on Sky Box Office in the UK from midnight Sunday morning, it’s sure to be a cracker and we’ve picked out the best bets for you!

Floyd Mayweather Jr: 47-0 (26 KO)

Born in Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA, 38-year-old Floyd Mayweather Jr is part of a famous family of boxer/trainers and was initially coached by his uncle, Roger. Now trained by his father, Floyd Sr, the man initially nicknamed ‘Pretty Boy’ for his ability to avoid taking punches and marking his face up was a world champion within two years of his professional debut.

Using a shoulder-rolling style of defence that’s allowed him to remain undefeated for so long, the now five-weight, ten-time world champion that’s latest nickname is ‘Money’ has beaten everybody put in front of him since turning pro in 1996, and the only potential challenger that experts feel have a chance of beating him is Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao.

Manny Pacquiao: 57-5-2 (38 KO)

An all-action boxer, proud Filipino, ex-singer and current politician, the popular and likeable Manny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao is 36-years-of-age and an eight-weight professional boxing world champion that, like his opponent this weekend, Mayweather Jr, has won a total of ten world titles.

Trained by Freddie Roach, Pacquiao has fought anyone and everyone throughout his career and is credited for doing so. Perhaps most notably, ‘Pacman’ destructively knocked English boxer Ricky Hatton out within two rounds of their 2009 bout.

Pacquiao has lost five times as a professional boxer, but three of his defeats were a long, long time ago and most of them were avenged, most recently against Timothy Bradley. Amongst others, many of whom Mayweather Jr has also beaten, ‘Pacman’ has emerged victorious against names like Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Marco Antonio Barrera and Erik Morales.

Mayweather Jr vs Pacquiao Strengths and Weaknesses

In terms of speed, we think that both fighters are fast, but give Mayweather Jr the edge due to superior footwork. Chin wise, whilst Floyd’s defence has rarely been breached enough for us to fully rate his punch resistance, Pacquiao has been stopped three times so we’ve got to give Mayweather Jr the edge in this department too. Experience and heart go to ‘Pacman’, but ring IQ is another factor in Mayweather Jr’s favour and there’s no question that ‘Money’ has the better defence with that being his main strength as a boxer.

 Mayweather Jr vs Pacquiao betting tips

WBA and WBC champ Mayweather is priced at 8/15 with Paddy Power, WBO belt holder Pacquiao is offered at 2/1 by Bet Victor and a draw is 16/1 with the same firm. As for method of victory, Mayweather is 7/1 to win by KO/TKO or DQ with Paddy Power and 5/6 on points with Betfair, while Pacquiao is 11/2 to stop his opponent with Bet Victor and 11/2 to emerge victorious by a scorecard verdict with Betfair.

In conclusion, we think that Mayweather Jr vs Pacquiao is sure to be an engaging, must-watch fight, but expect a slow and tentative start from both fighters, with the bout going the distance. After all neither boxer has won via KO/TKO in several years and with so much at stake, and no rematch if Manny loses, why rush in?

Bout to last the distance, however, is a mere 3/10 with multiple bookmakers, so of the opinion that Mayweather Jr’s shoulder-rolling defence is simply too good, we expect ‘Money’ to emerge victorious via a scorecard verdict and continue his quest to retire undefeated.

However, should you fancy a longshot bet, or a smaller wager to compliment our main betting recommendation, why not chance the draw at 16/1? It’s not an impossible outcome – cagey fight, many ringside observers aren’t sure who’s won and then a split decision draw is announced. You never know, and such an outcome is usually around 28/1.

Advised Bet: Mayweather to win on points @ 5/6 with Betfair

Longshot Bet: Draw @ 16/1 with BetVictor