Five men to have fought both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao – Juan Manuel Marquez, Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton, Shane Mosley and Miguel Cotto – all share their predictions for this Sunday's (May 3) fight.
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Juan Manuel Marquez
VS Mayweather
The American came out of retirement to face Marquez in 2009. Marquez had never fought above 135lbs, while Mayweather had been at 147lbs for four years. Money ignored a 142lb catchweight and dominated Marquez, who was paid extra to go ahead. Result: Mayweather, UD
VS Pacquiao
Four fights across eight years, all explosive. In 2005, Pacman dropped Marquez three times in the first round but drew the bout. He then won two close and controversial decisions before suffering a horror KO in the sixth round of their fourth meeting. Results: 1. Draw; 2. Pacquiao SD; 3. Pacquiao SD; 4. Marquez, KO, sixth round
What Marquez thinks: “If the fight [reaches the judges] it will be a unanimous decision for Mayweather. If we’re talking in boxing terms, Mayweather knows how to handle himself very well, and even knows how to get his opponent to fight at his pace and he takes advantage of that.”
Oscar De La Hoya
VS Mayweather
Back in 2007, he gave up about 10lbs to challenge De La Hoya at light middleweight. The champion worked Mayweather over in the early rounds, but the smaller man established his rhythm and dominated. It took a split decision, but it was probably more clear cut. Result: Mayweather, SD
VS Pacquiao
About 18 months after De La Hoya had been beaten by Mayweather, Pacman jumped two weight classes and pulverised him into an eighth round stoppage and sent him into retirement – ‘Pacquiao is rearranging De La Hoya’s beautiful face’, was commentator Jim Lampley’s accurate summary. Result: Pacquiao, TKO, eighth round
What De La Hoya thinks: “I love the match-up. I love the styles. We might see a dull fight because Mayweather beats him hands down because he’s boxing. Or, we see a great fight because Pacquiao is just putting on the pressure and making him fight. My head goes with Mayweather, my heart goes with Pacquiao.”
Ricky Hatton
VS Mayweather
The American controlled the fight from the beginning, with Hatton frustrated by referee Joe Cortez not letting him fight on the inside. In the 10th Mayweather’s check left hook sent Hatton down, via a collision with the turnbuckle. One more flurry and Hatton was down and out. Result: Mayweather, TKO, 10th round
VS Pacquiao
Hatton had a horrible build-up with shambolic training camp under Floyd Mayweather senior. The Brit was floored by a sparring partner and later admitted he had no chance on fight night. Pacquiao floored him twice in the opening session and then for good with a brutal left hook late in the second. Result: Pacquiao, KO, second round
What Hatton thinks: “Pacquiao is a southpaw, which makes it awkward. I think if he can get in and out like he did against De La Hoya – straight punches rather than hooks, which Manny is very good at – then he’s got a great chance. But my gut feeling is that Mayweather will adapt his style like he always does, and win on points.”
Shane Mosley
VS Mayweather
Mosley, who was high up in the pound-for-pound rankings at the time, started well and landed two big rights in the second round. Twice Mayweather wobbled and was forced to hold on. But he recovered to dominate, winning virtually every round on his way to a decision. Result: Mayweather, UD
VS Pacquiao
The Filipino sent Mosley crashing to the canvas in the third round with a straight left and afterwards the American spent most of the fight on the run. Pacquiao dominated without really asserting himself and won a wide decision even with referee Kenny Bayless incorrectly ruling a slip as a knockdown. Result: Pacquiao, UD
What Mosley thinks: “I think in the past, Floyd has had trouble with southpaws who lean in with their right hand. That could work in Pacquiao’s favour. But on May 2, I think it will be all Floyd. Pacquiao has punching power and a sneaky left hand that, if Floyd gets too confident, he could get caught. But if he’s smart then he wins.”
Miguel Cotto
VS Mayweather
At first Cotto struggled with Mayweather’s speed and movement. In the middle rounds he was able to cut the ring off, but even then a lot of his shots failed to land cleanly. Cotto’s size and aggression made the fight one of Mayweather’s more difficult. Result: Mayweather, UD
VS Pacquiao
Pacman seized Cotto’s WBO welterweight strap with one of his very best performances. Even giving up a fair bit of size to the hard-hitting Puerto Rican, Pacquiao’s speed and power gave Cotto problems all night. Hurt on several occasions and down in the third and fourth it was stopped in the 12th. Result: Pacquiao, TKO, 12th round
What Cotto thinks: “Manny is explosive and his quickness is going to be a big issue for Floyd. Floyd is a smart boxer and he is going to keep Pacquiao at distance. I worked with Freddie Roach for my last two fights and I think Freddie will have Manny ready for May 2. I think he has a big chance.”