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.

Why Manny Pacquiao Is More Dangerous for Floyd Mayweather Now Than in 2010?

{The following article is written by Kelsey McCarson of bleacherreport.com.}

Manny Pacquiao isn’t quite as explosive as he used to be. But that doesn’t mean he’s become a less complete fighter, or one that is less dangerous in 2015 to Floyd Mayweather’s reign atop pound-for-pound rankings.

{Image from Chris Hyde/Getty Images.}

No, Pacquiao’s best chance to defeat Mayweather is right now.

Skeptics will tell you that it’s not true. They’ll point to the destructive version of Pacquiao who ran roughshod over naturally larger opponents from 2008-2011, fighters such as Oscar De La Hoya, Ricky Hatton and Miguel Cotto.

Pacquiao was a force in 2009.

They’ll argue Pacquiao’s impressive one-punch power, the type that laid waste to Hatton in the blink of an eye, is gone forever, never to return. They’ll tell you that the power itself was laid waste by the nefarious onslaught of old age.

Gone too, they’ll probably add, is Pacquiao’s otherworldly speed. They’ll admit that he’s still supremely fast, just not blindingly so.

These well-meaning critics of the 2015 version of Pacquiao aren’t altogether wrong. At age 36, Pac-Man isn’t quite the supreme physical specimen he once was. He is not in his physical prime.

If one is to only examine factors like how fast and how powerful a man is to determine his fighting prime, then surely the 2010 version of Pacquiao would be the top candidate for such an honor.

That Pacquiao, the one that came oh-so-close to meeting Mayweather in a proposed March 2010 superfight, had just come off of his most fantastic performance ever, a one-sided, 12th-round stoppage of Cotto.

That Pacquiao had separated the lineal champion at 140 pounds, Hatton, from both his championship and his senses two fights prior in just two rounds.

That Pacquiao had made De La Hoya look like a rank amateur just three fights before, and had sent the Golden Boy to his stool after eight brutal rounds of pummeling him, never to return to the life of a prizefighter again.

But here’s something that’s lost in all the hubbub about how great a destructive force Pacquiao was back then. The very quality that made him such an obliterator of famed fighting men could very well have also been his undoing against the premier counterpuncher in boxing at that time, Mayweather, a man who was also in his physical, and perhaps even fighting, prime.

Pacquiao’s lesson on just how risky unbridled aggression can be to a fighter came in 2012.

After appearing a bit lackluster in wins over Shane Mosley and Juan Manuel Marquez, and after being on the wrong side of one of the more egregious robberies in boxing history against Timothy Bradley, Pacquiao met Marquez for the fourth time in his career in December 2012.

This version of Pacquiao appeared anything but lackluster. This was classic Pac-Man, the one whose mission was to seek and destroy whoever stood in front of him. This was the fighter fans had seen ruthlessly dismantle De La Hoya, Hatton and Cotto. He was just as fast, just as powerful and just as reckless.


Pacquiao appeared to be on his way to a win over Marquez in the fourth fight.
This was vintage Pacquiao.

Even though Marquez’s power had suddenly reached superlative heights, and even though Pacquiao was knocked down by a glancing blow he partially blocked in Round 3, Pacquiao seemed to be on his way to annihilating Marquez the very same way he had done so to other great fighters just a few years prior.

Pacquiao knocked Marquez down in Round 5 and was going in for the kill at the end of Round 6 when the bloodied and bruised Marquez delivered the perfect counterargument to Pacquiao having his best shot against Mayweather in 2010.

With one punch, Marquez demonstrated that Pacquiao would probably have been too aggressive for his own good against Mayweather had the two met before this night. Marquez knocked Pacquiao out cold with one wonderfully delivered right-hand blow as Pacquiao hurled himself forward. Mayweather might have done the same.

It was a tough lesson, but an important one.

Marquez landed the perfect punch in Round 6 to score the KO.
If Mayweather did not exist, it is Marquez who would be considered the best counterpuncher of the era. That isn’t to say the men fight in the same style. They do not. But both rely on landing punches on their opponents as the other man tries to mount an offense of his own.

And both men are exceptional at it.

The version of Pacquiao who rose from the ashes of the sixth-round knockout is not the same man he was then. He is not the hyper-aggressive barbarian out for blood no matter what the cost.

Instead, Pacquiao has wisely adopted a less aggressive, but more effective approach of mitigating risk with his feet and relying on his still-excellent hand speed and punching power to carry the day.

Pacquiao’s last three fights are evidence of a changed man. Yes, Pacquiao is still aggressive and a tremendous offensive fighting machine.


Pacquiao is a smarter, better fighter now.

But against the two fighters with punching power he had to respect, Brandon Rios and Timothy Bradley (in the 2014 rematch), Pacquiao consistently made a point to step away from his opponents throughout the fights so as not to get caught by a powerful counterpunch.

Even against Chris Algieri, Pacquiao coasted to the decision win after realizing somewhere among the six knockdowns of his opponent that he could rattle Algieri’s bones at will. But why give Algieri the only chance he had of pulling out the win by giving him opportunities to land a bout-altering counterpunch?

Pacquiao is a smarter fighter now. He won’t rush into Mayweather’s offense foolhardily. He won’t leave himself open to counterpunches that he’ll never see coming. He’ll keep the fight right where it should be, at the proper distance, where Pacquiao can let his hand speed, power and volume punching carry the rounds for him.

Pacquiao still may not defeat Mayweather. He’s naturally smaller than his opponent and the ringside judges are used to awarding Mayweather wins at the MGM Grand in his adopted hometown of Las Vegas.

But Pacquiao has a better shot at a victory in 2015 than at perhaps any other time during his career. If timing truly is everything in life, Pacquiao is right where he needs to be heading into the biggest fight of his career.

Manny Pacquiao Wears 'Pac-Man Eating Money' Shirt Training for Floyd Mayweather

WBO shared a picture in its official Twitter account showing Manny PAcquiao wearing a shirt that has a Pacman eating a Dollar sign, which obviously referring to himself eating FLoyd 'Money' Mayweather.

What do you think about WBO Champion Manny's t-shirt? Do you like his chances against Mayweather on May 2? pic.twitter.com/lnYUdOebBF

— WBO (@WorldBoxingOrg) March 2, 2015

SO funny that almost all boxing fans in Twitter reacted, retweetd this particular picture. Retweets reached to 414 and 235 Favorites as of this minute.

See the tweet by clicking the source link below.

{source}

Mayweather Sr: Ain't no way Pacquiao can whoop Floyd!

{Article below is written by Nick Giongco of the Manila Bulletin.}


In the eyes of Floyd Mayweather Sr., the May 2 clash between his son Floyd Jr. and Manny Pacquiao is going to be a massacre. Speaking to FightHype, Mayweather Sr. downplayed Pacquiao's chances, saying the scheduled world unification welterweight 12-rounder "is going to be a one-sided deal."

"Pacman gets his ass whopped, simple. I'm just telling you what it is...Everybody all hyped and geeked, they will see how easy this fight is going to be. I'm just telling you right now and I'm saying this right now, ain't no way he can whoop Floyd."

Mayweather Sr. is also a part of the team of trainers and is adamant that his son, who turns 38 today, "is smarter than Pacquiao, he's faster than Pacquiao, and like I said, Floyd is just too damn smart for him, period."

Pacquiao is a 3-1 underdog and Mayweather Sr. is not surprised that oddsmakers have installed his unbeaten son as the big betting favorite.

"Floyd is going to make him look like a baby. Believe me. Floyd can hit him with a jab and stuff easy. He's the most hittable man in the world. You gonna see that...Floyd will dominate him bad."

Mayweather Sr. has actually gone up close with Pacquiao.

In May 2009, Mayweather Sr. was in the corner of British pride Ricky Hatton against Pacquiao.

Pacquiao destroyed Hatton in less than two rounds, something that Mayweather Jr. couldn't do when he had the chance to meet Hatton in December 2007.

Mayweather Jr. is expected to plunge into training with Los Angeles-based Colombian Alex Ariza lending a hand in training camp.

Ariza, who served as Pacquiao's strength coach from 2008 until 2012, severed ties with the Filipino star after a falling out with chief trainer Freddie Roach.

Manny Pacquiao arrives in LA to start training for May 2 Mega Fight

Pacquiao posted a picture on his Instagram account:

"Just arrived here in LA excited to focus training for the May 2 fight, thank you Lord for the guidance and protection and you up hold me with your righteous right hand," he said.

Watch the video below.

Pacquiao vs Mayweather Live Stream Free

People all over the world are waiting for the Mega Fight of the Century 'Pacquiao vs Mayweather' on May 2, and some who just want to watch it on the comfort of their homes and in front of their laptops, sure will be looking for a live streaming of the fight. Also for people on their mobile devices, probably in their offices, who just couldn't afford to be off at work, will sure be looking for the LIVE STREAMING.

If you are one of those people, then you're lucky because we pay an HBO-Showtime Pay Per View so everybody who's online can watch the fight.

Meanwhile, we will update this post on May 1, at exactly 11:59 AM to embed the video player so you can watch it.

Stay tuned.

UPDATE:

Watch WBO World Welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao (57-5, 38KOs) and undefeated WBC & WBA World Welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather (47-0, 26KOs) for their eagerly-anticipated megafight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. The fight is available through pay-per-view on HBO and Showtime PPV. Pacquiao vs. Mayweather will be broadcast on free TV simultaneously on ABS-CBN, TV5 & GMA 7.

[LIVE STREAM # 1]
[LIVE STREAM # 2]
[LIVE STREAM # 3]
[LIVE STREAM # 4]
[LIVE STREAM # 5]

Pacquiao vs. Mayweather Live Updates:




[LIVE STREAM # 1] | [LIVE STREAM # 2] | [LIVE STREAM # 3] | [LIVE STREAM in HD]

Main Event: (10:00am Manila time)
Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather Jr. [STREAM # 1] | [STREAM # 2] | [STREAM # 3]

Undercards: (8:00am Manila time)
Vasyl Lomachenko vs. Gamalier Rodriguez [STREAM # 1] | [STREAM # 2] | [STREAM # 3]
Leo Santa Cruz vs. Jose Cateyano [STREAM # 1] | [STREAM # 2] | [STREAM # 3]
Said El-Harrak vs. Christopher Pearson [STREAM # 1] | [STREAM # 2] | [STREAM # 3]
Andrew Tabiti vs. Anthony Caputo Smith [STREAM # 1] | [STREAM # 2] | [STREAM # 3]
Jesse Hart def. Mike Jimenez via TKO (Round 6)
Brad Solomon def . Adrian Granados via SD (94-96 | 94-96 | 96-94 )

Pacquiao vs. Mayweather / Live round-by-round updates:
Check out the Pacquiao vs. Mayweather main event live blog below.
[LIVE STREAM # 1] | [LIVE STREAM # 2] | [LIVE STREAM # 3] | [LIVE STREAM # 4]

Round 1:

Round 2:

Round 3:

Round 4:

Round 5:

Round 6:

Round 7:

Round 8:

Round 9:

Round 10:

Round 11:

Round 12:

Stay tuned for the Official Scorecard / Results:

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 Algieri Fight Highlights

When Manny PAcquiao met Chris Algieri in the ring it wasn't what most boxing analysts had expected. Chris Algieri is young compared to Pacquiao. And Algieri has a unique, unpredictable style that won him against Ruslan Provodnikov. It was a match where Ruslan Provodnikov almost had it, but it turned the other way by ALgieri. Algieri won in a close split-decision.

But Manny PAcquiao just demolished him after punch after punch ALgieri couldn't avoid. Algieri even was knocked down a couple of times. However, no knock out that took place, considering Manny is a knock out puncher. Maybe because Manny learned his lesson now. What all matters to him now is to win and not to knock out every opponent. He learned that lesson from his 4th fight against Juan Miguel Marquez.


Watch the full fight of Manny Pacquao versus Chris Algieri below:

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.

Ricky Hatton Gives Manny Pacquiao Tips On How To Beat Floyd Mayweather Jr.

{The following article is written by Rachelle Corpuz of Ibtimes.}

Having had shared the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao, retired British boxer Ricky Hatton shared his predictions on the epic boxing match between the two welterweights that everyone wants to see. Hatton also shared some tips on how Pacquiao can win against Mayweather.

“Not like Manny Pacquiao needs some advice, with Freddie Roach in his corner but if I was in Pacquiao’s corner, you know I’d tell him to do the exact same tactics he did against Oscar De La Hoya,” Hatton said in an interview with Kugan Cassius of IFL TV. “In-out, in-out, fast, speed, movement.”

Pacquiao fought De La Hoya in 2008. Pacquiao dominated the entire fight and didn’t let De La Hoya to snatch an easy victory over the Filipino as most critics predicted. Pacquiao was then an underdog against De La Hoya, who was a 3:1 favourite to win against the Filipino. In the end, De La Hoya was forced to retire after eight lopsided rounds.

The Filipino will reprise the role of the underdog when he steps on the ring with Mayweather on May 2. According to Hatton, he sees Floyd Mayweather Jr. winning but also said that Manny Pacquiao has chance to hand the undefeated American boxer his first loss.

Even though he is betting on Mayweather to win the fight, Hatton thinks that Pacquiao’s speed could spell danger for the American. Hatton believes that Mayweather’s traditional fight style - the shoulder roll and staying low, will not work against quick fighters so Pacquiao should attack that particular weak spot on Mayweather’s part.

Hatton said that a fighter like Pacquiao, who has speed and movement, gives him an edge to beat Mayweather. Looking back at Mayweather’s recent fights, Hatton reckons that the American has lost his force a bit. He said that Mayweather’s invincible armour is gone, which gives not only Pacquiao but also other fighters the confidence that they definitely stand a chance against him.

Hatton fought Mayweather and Pacquiao during his boxing career. He suffered losses from both fights. He was knocked out by Mayweather in the 10th round in 2007. Hatton was also knocked out by Pacquiao in the second round on 2009.

Hatton officially retired from boxing in 2012 following his defeat from Vyacheslav Senchenko. Since then, the former world champion has shifted his focus on his boxing promotions company, Hatton Promotions.

Who Would Win? Pacquiao or Mayweather? Vote Now!

We've decided to conduct a little Poll to see what fans think about the Pacquiao-Mayweather fight come May 2. Expert or no expert, any boxing fan and enthusiast loves to predict who will win the fight, regardless whether or not he is a die-hard fan of either the two. So here's your chance and let people know your thoughts.

Choose your pick. Who would win? Manny PAcquiao or Mayweather?

Who do you think will win? Pacquiao or Mayweather?

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