Floyd Mayweather (left) and Manny Pacquiao. AP file photos
MANILA, Philippines—Three of their five common, previous opponents have picked Floyd “Money” Mayweather Jr. to beat Manny Pacquiao in their megabuck bout on May 2 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Former world champions Shane Mosley, Ricky Hatton and Juan Manuel Marquez favor the American to claim the Filipino icon as his 48th straight victim.
Six-division champion Oscar De La Hoya, on the other hand, calls the fight even, although in another interview he said Pacquiao “can do some damage to Mayweather.”
READ: Pacquiao will force the fight on Mayweather, De La Hoya says
Only Miguel Cotto, who was formerly noncommittal, picks Pacquiao—but for a reason other than his edge in skills.
Cotto recently told the New York Post that he’s going for Pacquiao because of Hall of Fame trainer Freddie Roach, the man responsible for the Puerto Rican’s last two victories, including his stoppage of Sergio Martinez last year that netted him the middleweight crown.
READ: Cotto picks Pacquiao over Mayweather
The predictions made by Hatton and Mosley were rather surprising considering that Pacquiao dealt both a more thorough beating than Mayweather did.
While Mayweather needed 10 rounds to halt Hatton, Pacquiao did it only in two.
And while Mayweather coasted to victory over Mosley, Pacquiao was even more imposing against the genial American, knocking him down in the third round but letting him finish on his feet.
Mayweather settled for a decision over De La Hoya, but Pacquiao made boxing’s former poster boy quit on his stool after the eighth round.
In a recent interview, Hatton, who briefly retired after the Pacquiao knockout, said Mayweather always finds a way to win, no matter the style of his foe.
READ: Hatton says Mayweather has ‘slight’ edge over Pacquiao
Marquez, who was beaten by Mayweather in his comeback fight in 2009, and knocked out Pacquiao in their fourth encounter in 2012, told boxingscene.com: “Mayweather’s defensive resources, techniques, speed and counter-attacks can do a lot of damage to Pacquiao. I think he will impose [those traits].”
READ: Marquez says Pacquiao must knock Mayweather out to win
Other fighters, including former Pacquiao victims Brandon Rios and Chris Algieri, also gave Mayweather better chances to win the fight expected to generate over $300 million in revenues.
Rios cited Mayweather’s defensive brilliance and various skills while Algieri, who hit the deck six times against Pacquiao last November in Macau, praisedMayweather’s “different fighting style.”
Unlike Marquez, though, his trainer, Nacho Beristain, sees a Pacquiao win.
In an interview, Beristain said Pacquiao is “just too tough and too strong.”
READ: Marquez trainer picks Pacquiao over Mayweather
Former heavyweight champions George Foreman, Mike Tyson and Leon Spinks also chose Pacquiao over their compatriot.
“Pacquiao has the edge. Mayweather makes up later, but Pacquiao stays ahead,” Foreman told the LA Times.
Tyson, on the other hand, likes Pacquiao because of his “perpetual motion.”
READ: ‘Mayweather has to fight’ vs ‘perpetually-in-motion’ Pacquiao, says Tyson
Bernard Hopkins, the oldest fighter to hold a world title (light heavy) at 49, thinks Mayweather will win hands down.
In an interview with fighthype.com, Hopkins said “after six rounds, Pacquiao will be target practice for Mayweather.”
Certified great Sugar Ray Leonard is inclined to favor Mayweather because of his clean slate, but thinks Pacquiao’s hand and foot speed and power will also be pivotal in deciding the outcome of the Super Fight.
READ: Sugar Ray Leonard torn between Pacquiao, Mayweather