50 Cent says he’s betting $1.6 million that Floyd Mayweather will beat Manny Pacquiao

The following article is written by Marissa Payne of WashingtonPost.


Rapper 50 Cent hasn’t always been nice to his former friend and business partner Floyd Mayweather. It was just last August when the entertainer pledged to donate $750,000 to charity if the boxer could prove he could read.

Mayweather did not take the challenge. Instead, he tweeted out pictures of two checks totally over $70 million and told 50 Cent to donate his money to Michael Brown’s family, referring to the young black man who was shot and killed by police in Ferguson, Missouri, last year.

Well, flash forward a few months later, and there might be hope for the pair’s friendship after all. 50 Cent went on “The Breakfast Club” on New York’s Power 105.1 FM Tuesday morning to report the two are on speaking terms again after meeting by chance at a Chris Brown show earlier this month. Not only that, but 50 Cent boasted he plans to bet $1.6 million on Mayweather to beat Manny Pacquiao when the two are scheduled to fight on May 2 in Las Vegas.

“Champ gonna smoke him,” 50 Cent said, referring to Mayweather, who holds both the WBC and WBA welterweight titles. 50 Cent then went on to describe Mayweather as “super focused,” and said, “It’s gonna look like [the fight] was pumped up for no reason.” He was downright nice!

As to why 50 Cent has decided to bet $1.6 million, as opposed to, say, a more round number like $1.5 million, 50 Cent says he’s “been thinking this out” and that he’s “gotta make a real bet.”

Now he just needs his newly (again) found friend to come through.

Manny Pacquiao to arrive early to train for Mayweather bout

{Article below is first published in CBS Sports and Manila Times}

Manny Pacquiao will leave for the United States tomorrow, February 28, instead of March 8, which is the original departure plan of his camp. Pacquiao aims to begin his training early with Freddie Roach at the Wildcard gym in Los Angeles, California for his mega fight against unbeaten American Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2.

“We are just going to wait there for coach Freddie [Roach] in Los Angeles. We only have two months or eight weeks to prepare that’s why we cannot afford to waste time,” Pacquiao told The Manila Times in an interview on Wednesday at the Araneta Coliseum after Pacman’s team KIA posted a win over Talk ‘N Text in the Philippine Basketball Association Commissioners Cup.



"Manny called me and said it's been so crazy in the Philippines that he is going to come over here early and probably start at Wild Card on March 2," Roach said Thursday. "Having him early is really nice for me. We'll have Justin Fortune doing strength work with him, and then we'll begin the boxing part and start sparring."

Pacquiao will not be working with Roach for the first few days as the trainer has committed to assisting Chinese Olympic gold medalist Zou Shiming in his attempt to win the flyweight world title on March 7. Pacquiao insisted Roach stick with his initial plans despite the boxer's change in schedule.

"Manny told me I should be with Zou because he knows how important this fight is for him," Roach said. "The thing is, Manny is that type of guy. He cares about other people. He knows Shiming has a better chance to win if I'm there with him."

The kickoff promotion for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is expected to happen after Roach returns from China, likely on March 10 or 11. Roach expressed confidence that Pacquiao would win the fight and revealed that he has already begun speaking with his fighter about strategy.

"We just need to have the right strategy to beat this solid fighter," Roach said. "Mayweather is a slick guy, and he is not the easiest guy in the world to fight. He's undefeated for a reason. He's very smart. The thing is we have to attack him a lot and have that ring generalship, and Manny has to work on cutting off the ring. Everything will come together. Manny and me have already been talking about the strategy. Once he gets here, he knows what I want from him."

Pacquiao vs. Mayweather: "Fast & Furious- FINALLY" 5.2.15

{This article is first seen and published at examiner.com}

#TRUTH

For Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather, the moment of truth has arrived on May 2nd.

It is common knowledge that Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather are two very different elements, and I liken them to oil and water. For no matter how much water you pour on it in an attempt to suppress it, oil will always rise to the top.

But this is misleading.

Oil (like water) can take on many forms, and often times, it is of the unsavory variety. It shows up on your driveway in the form of a nasty leak. It'll stain your clothes and never come out. It gets in your hair and causes a mess. It gets under your skin and creates ugliness.

You see oil- would much rather be water and envies it. It knows that it can boil or that it can freeze... It knows that it can cause things to melt and that it can evaporate, only to evolve and reappear as rain, cleansing nearly everything in its wake except oil.

It leaves oil to face the sun.

It leaves oil behind, all over the world's canvas, as if a shiny reminder of the ugly difference between the two for everyone to see. It makes it obvious that this is now something you should step over and avoid... Which happens to rhyme with Floyd.

*** *** *** *** *** ***

Larry Merchant once said that he wishes he were 50 years younger and that he would kick Floyd's ass. Well I'm about 50 years younger than Larry, and if I had 3 wishes, one of them would be to kick Floyd's ass. If I were to wear Manny Pacquiao gear to get ready to face Mayweather (as I did in this whack-ass song and video, mocking a "ducking" Floyd Mayweather), I would do so knowing that it doesn't make any sense. It would make no sense more than Larry's comical, sarcastically tongue-in-cheek remarks from a few years ago.

I would do so knowing that the demand for me to face Mayweather would be in very short supply, compared to what it would be for me to face say, Ben Thompson with "FightHype". Writer's should write and fighter's should fight. This fight has made nothing but sense for six years, and the only thing that makes sense for it not happening before- is Floyd Mayweather.

The only reason why, in my opinion, that this fight is FINALLY taking place, is because writers like myself have been able to fight for this fight on behalf of fans whose demand just wouldn't go away.

Even if Mayweather wanted "it", Pacquiao, and them to just go away.

The only thing that Pacquiao has consistently demonstrated over six years has been a desire to fight Floyd Mayweather. I can remember clearly the image of Manny Pacquiao, full of bandages and bruises after facing Miguel Cotto, telling an L.A. reporter that he wanted to fight Mayweather next. Instead, we got Joshua Clottey on the date that was initially reserved for Pacquiao vs. Mayweather on March 13, 2010.

The same issues that were resolved recently, were for all intents and purposes, the same issues that could've been resolved a long time ago. The only reason why it wasn't made until now, lies in the differences between the two men. They are as different as oil and water, and I'll let you guess who's who.

T@z

---------------------------------------------------------

FINALLY.

Unless you're hanging out in Morocco enjoying lattes and fight cards with the late Muammar Gaddafi, you do know by now that Pacquiao and Mayweather will indeed mix it up on May 2nd.

By now, there's been so many articles and stories written about what will take place, even though they are well after what I'd already written nearly two months prior (sorry, I just had to lol). So for that reason alone, I decided to be among the last to write about the longest running soap opera in the history of sports.

The fact that the public will make this the richest sporting event ever, is a testament to what I believe comes down to two things; its love for Manny Pacquiao and its hatred for Floyd Mayweather. A quick look at the timeline between these two should underline that point, but I believe what's happened fairly recently is enough.

Let's be very clear- Floyd Mayweather did not want to fight Manny Pacquiao at all and he's never wanted to.

As I sat to write this, on a crisp and cold Monday morning at roughly 11:30am EST on the 23rd day of February 2015, I'd just listened to Stephen A. Smith (someone I do actually respect before I say this..) on ESPN's "First Take" basically tell the entire world he's a huge ass kisser of Mayweather, and I feel the need to offer fans an objective retort.

Stephen A. not only defended Mayweather's reasoning for not fighting Pacquiao ("He (Floyd) felt Pacquiao was juicing"), but then he had the audacity to tell us that he believes Floyd will stop Manny via 11th rd TKO (I'm actually still laughing about that). For someone as intelligent as Smith is, I have a hard time understanding how he logically believes anything that he has to say regarding this subject.

First regarding the contract and the signing. That very same contract first appeared in pictures with Manny Pacquiao's signature on it WEEKS AGO, but Floyd denied that this was the case (as recently as last week's All-Star game), only to produce pictures of that same contract this past Friday with his signature on it.

He felt the need to tell fans the other day that he made the fight happen for them, and I'm not buying it.

Nothing can explain why he also felt the need to tell you why he wouldn't fight Pacquiao, as he did in this video. You really think he's changed now, or that he has any more desire to fight Pacquiao now? Of course not.

He was forced into this fight.

THE TALES OF THE TAPE

This was before he ran from a rematch with Oscar de la hoya and actually retired from the sport because he knew his father would be training Oscar. Mind you, this was an Oscar everyone felt was past his prime, as Pacquiao emphatically demonstrated in destroying Oscar.

What did Floyd then do?

He announced his comeback against Juan Manuel Marquez, after most credible observers acknowledged Pacquiao as the best fighter in the world, and he did this while taking advantage of the promotion for Pacquiao vs. Hatton.

He came back out of jealousy to face a fighter 2 full weight divisions away from 147lbs at the time, and did so after faking an injury to delay it (it was originally scheduled for July 2009) so he could have even more time to cheat Marquez.

He did this because perception would then favor him with a victory over someone Pacquiao struggled with. But boxing insiders know that styles make fights.

He gave Marquez 600K extra to cheat him by 2lbs on the scales, coming in over the contracted 144lbs at 146 in their September 2009 bout. Please look at the physique of a never-before-welterweight Marquez then, and compare him to the version Pacquiao was on the verge of stopping prior to being struck by a once-in-a-lifetime "PED" shot in round 6.

There is no comparison.

Since Stephen A. felt the need to share to a worldwide audience what Floyd felt about Pacquiao, I'm going to tell you what Pacquiao felt and successfully sued him for.

It is widely reported in private circles that it was Floyd who introduced Marquez to Memo Heredia. And maybe, just maybe, that is why Floyd was so proud of the Marquez KO and kept posting pictures of it.

Its as if he said to Marquez, "Listen I saw you drinking piss to try to get an edge against me, but this is what you should really do. Call this guy... He'll help you. Oh and by the way, thanks for accepting my money to allow me to cheat against you."

It was a very "oily" thing for him to do, would you not agree?

THE PLAYING FIELD WILL BE FAIR.

Pacquiao not only successfully sued Mayweather for slander and defamation of character, but what lead to an undisclosed settlement in Pacquiao's favor was a challenge of Mayweather's own character for alleged use of PED's. Instead of continue to fight against Pacquiao, as soon as evidence was about to be formally introduced to challenge just how clean Mayweather was for fights against Marquez and Shane Mosley (look at Floyd's frame against Mosley.. I'm just sayin) in May 2010, Mayweather immediately settled.

When we saw Floyd Mayweather again, in September 2011, after Pacquiao had wiped out Antonio Margarito (someone else he feared) and Shane Mosley, Mayweather announced to the world "Pacquiao, you're next".

Could it be safe to conclude that Pacquiao was clean enough to fight then? And if so, why didn't he fight him next like he said? They were both still HBO fighter's at that time, so why didn't it happen?

Because Floyd didn't really want to fight him- and he never has.

You look at his video challenge of Pacquiao and tell me you see a confident fighter. Not only did he not fight Pacquiao "next", he infuriated HBO executives by facing what he thought was a shot Miguel Cotto. Floyd got hit like never before against Cotto, and never did you see Floyd's face look as damaged as it did against Cotto afterwards.

He trashed his father on HBO 24/7 cameras before facing a dangerous - but mentally and emotionally limited - southpaw in Victor Ortiz, only to want him back after his performance against Cotto in May 2012.

He then "practiced" for Pacquiao by facing a slow, plodding, blown-up super lightweight in the southpaw Robert Guerrero (by anyone's estimation a "B" fighter with absolutely no drawing power). He did this, after literally running away from HBO, which was irate about his avoidance of Pacquiao. By switching networks, Floyd felt he could absolutely avoid Pacquiao for sure.

He even sat next to his now estranged manager Leonard Ellerbe on the podium after that fight to tell us that "a Pacquiao fight would never happen", despite the fact that he knew the fans [he cares so much about] were demanding it (roll your eyes if you like).

So you have to literally laugh when this man reserved the right to hide a video camera in Pacquiao's hotel room to secretly record himself saying "We have to make this fight happen for the fans."

THE FIGHT ITSELF WILL BE ANTI-CLIMACTIC TO THE FIGHT HYPE.

If you believe Floyd did this for you the fan, then I've got some unbelievable swamp property to sell your sorry ass in the swamps of the Florida Everglades for millions of dollars.

See Floyd, what had happened was, "YOU" had to make a fight happen for fans you've not wanted to allow to see you lose. The same fans of both yours and Manny's, that you don't want to witness getting your ass beat by a man you know you can't beat.

I have to ask you all logically...

If you thought a man was cheating to beat fighters and you want to clean up the sport, why would you go and get the man (Alex Ariza) that you thought helped him cheat, to help prepare for that very fighter if you're really a person of integrity?

If its "just another fight" as he's said, then why would you need a greasy "leftover" (remember Floyd's favorite expression) in Ariza added to your circle for almost a year now, despite what he's had to say about YOU in the past?

Hmmm...

What else was he saying to Pacquiao in that hotel room a few weeks ago? Was he calling Pacquiao "Poochie", a "yellow-midget", or a guy with losses who wasn't on his level?

Was he offering Manny $40 million again, while regurgitating that Bob Arum was the blame for the fight not happening bullsh*t? Was he calling this congressman "desperate" and "cornered with no where else to turn", while ridiculously stating that Pacquiao has avoided him?

Of course not.

Floyd absolutely knows that this is the very fight he's never wanted, and he came to that hotel room resigned to his fate. He was full of nothing but respect in that room, and he will be much more respectful in that ring.

He met Pacquiao at that Miami Heat game and probed him for a sign of intimidation or weakness. There was none. He did this after having seen Pacquiao appear on "Sportscenter" and everywhere else around the globe, challenging him to a fight.

The build-up to the fight over the next several weeks will be a lot of fun, fascinating, and very entertaining. Some observations have already caught my eye, and I'll start with the aforementioned Marquez, who until recently was always telling people that he'd favor Mayweather in a fight against Pacquiao.

Bear in mind, these statements are not only ironic coming from Marquez now, but it was Pacquiao who boldly suggested that if one of them were to test positive for drugs before or after this fight, that they'd be subject to a 5 million dollar fine.

Here's how Marquez and his trainer Nacho Beristain weighed on in this subject in a private phone conversation with a fighter I won't mention:

"I believe Floyd can get desperate in this fight. The speed, the pressure of Pacquiao and his level of intensity will be very shocking to Mayweather. We know that Floyd is a very intelligent fighter and how great his defense is, but Pacquiao's intensity is going to shock him."

Juan Manual Marquez

*** *** *** *** *** ***

"Very brutal fight for Mayweather. I know Pacquiao very well and this is not a very good fight for Mayweather. I am certain Pacquiao will beat him. The rocket straight left will be a major problem, also the pace and the movement of Pacquiao does not favor Mayweather at all."

Nacho Beristain

PACQUIAO VS. MAYWEATHER: "FAST & FURIOUS- FINALLY" 5. 2. 15

Consider this a movie trailer if you will. I'll give you clues and insight into what I think you can expect to see in this long awaited superfight, before getting more in-depth in a later piece.

This fight will be fought at a very fast and a very furious pace. This is a high octane action fight, which will feature an unusual amount of speed and sharpness from both fighters in a very dynamic way. It will be absolutely beautiful to watch, and will be closely contested for about 4 to 5 rounds, before it takes a decidedly dark turn for Mayweather. There will be incredible action in this fight because Pacquiao will essentially demand it.

I liken them to a Mongoose and a Cobra.

Floyd, a Cobra, is all about stealth, deadly accuracy, and economy. He coils behind a defensive posture and pot shots. He likes to strike in calculated bursts, often with singular shots, particularly more so as he's aged. He's shown a penchant for being hit cleanly with more frequency in recent fights, and was by observation a noticeably different fighter in terms of skills and reflexes during his rematch with Marcos Maidana.

Pacquiao, a Mongoose, features never-before-seen footwork, rhythm and motion. He is an ultra aggressive southpaw with knockout power in both hands, particularly the left. He's a dynamic, tricky, combination punching menace who attacks without fear. He'll do so sometimes in a very reckless fashion, not unlike the most daring Nascar driver. His complete whitewash of Chris Algieri was very revealing, as he was able to decimate a world-class athlete in elite condition who never stopped moving.

Algieri, who sparred with Maidana to prepare for Pacquiao, is not the skilled fighter that Mayweather is. But, Mayweather is no longer the athlete of endurance that Algieri is today, I don't give a damn how hard he trains for this fight.

Those 24 rounds with Maidana took a lot out of Floyd, and that will show up on May 2nd for the "Cobra". While conversely for the "Mongoose", Manny Pacquiao, he has emerged virtually unscathed over the last 2 years.

In beating the hell out of Brandon Rios (who is better than Maidana in my opinion), Timothy Bradley (who is better than Maidana in my opinion) and Chris Algieri (who is better than Maidana in my opinion), Pacquiao probably won 30 out of those 36 rounds without ever being hurt or in trouble. The same cannot be said for Mayweather against Maidana, who felt the need to give Maidana a rematch because of how close the first fight was.

Think about that.

And then there's something else that may serve as somewhat of an omen for Mayweather. I received a text from a friend reminding me that on May 2, 2015, it'll be exactly six years to the day that Pacquiao damn near killed Ricky Hatton with Floyd Sr. in his corner on May 2, 2009.

Pacquiao will not say this publicly, but he despises Floyd Mayweather Sr. almost as much as he despises his son. This will be the first time he sees Floyd Sr. across the ring from him since that night - and get this - he actually liked Hatton. Seeing Alex Ariza in that same corner is something I'm going to guess won't make Pacquiao any friendlier.

A very close version of that fighter who showed up against Hatton on that May 2nd, is what will show up on this coming May 2nd, as Pacquiao, in very violent and cold-blooded fashion, mercilessly annihilates Floyd Mayweather before he gets KTFO in the 11th round.

This is what transpired in American Airlines Arena between Manny and Floyd

See what happened during the Miami Heat game in its homecourt some days ago.

 It's apparent that they talked. It has been reported that they exchanged phone numbers.

 We still don't know what they've talked about. But watch that hapless awkward hug. It is so darn awkward.

 Manny shouldn't show or be persuade by Floyd, knowing the guy is very good in marketing tactics.

Just view the video below from YouTube courtesy of fighthub.

Floyd Mayweather wants to retire undefeated so he must beat Manny Paquiao

Floyd Mayweather Jr. has already announced his retirement next year; and based on the observation of some people who are very close to him, he wants to retire undefeated. They added that the “Money Man” will take the challenge of Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao after his successful title defense against Amir Khan next year. Said report was almost confirmed by his father/trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr. during his interview with Ben Thompson of Fight Hype yesterday, Oct. 8, 2014.

"Man, I'm pretty sure that if don't nothing else happen, I'm pretty sure he's going to get Pacquiao. It's going to happen. That fight's going to happen. Trust me. That fight's definitely going to happen. It's a fight for the world, man, right there. It's the biggest fight that has ever been in life, so like I said man, that fight's going to happen. I’m telling you right now, he never told me the fight's going to happen, but I’m telling you, the fight's going to happen. You mark my words. Pacquiao is tailor-made for Floyd. He's tailor-made to eat the right hand all day long," the older Mayweather confirmed to Ben Thompson.

Before his declaration that his son will definitely take the challenge of the former pound for pound king Manny "PacMan" Pacquiao, Floyd Sr. has already confirmed that Floyd Jr. will face and demolish Amir Khan next year. In an interview with Ben Thompson last Oct. 6, Floyd Sr. almost belittled the ability of Amir Khan, according to him; his unbeaten son will just punish the British boxer if the fight happens.

 He also described Amir Khan as a joke blowing smoke with no hope. “Amir Khan is joke blowing smokes with no hope. He can't out-think Floyd on Floyd's worst day. I'm here to tell you that I will be there and I will make sure every time he throws a punch, he is going to get countered. He is going to get punished, believe me, Floyd Sr. stated.

His separate announcement of Floyd Jr.'s future opponents before his retirement next year has received mix reaction from boxing fans that are very much eager to see the mega fight between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao happen. Some of them are saying Floyd will definitely beat Amir Khan while other people believe that Mayweather might get his first loss to Amir.

They have also commented on the Pacquiao-Mayweather showdown after Amir Khan, according to them; Manny has a very good chance of defeating Floyd because of his power and speed but they also warned their fellow boxing fans to wait for the result of the bout first before they speculate because Mayweather might get his 49-0 record and retire unbeaten if the "PacMan" will continue to entertain his extra-curricular activities.

 {First seen on source}

Manny Pacquiao vs Floyd Mayweather

Take your pick. Who do you think will win if Pacquiao-Mayweather fight takes place on May next year?





Vote Now!