Arum: Mayweather is Excellent, But Pacquiao Stops Him

By Edward Chaykovsky

Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, who promotes WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, is confident his man will win by knockout on May 2nd, when he faces WBC/WBA welterweight king Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

If the fight would have happened six years ago, when it first discussed in 2009, Arum believes Mayweather would have been a much tougher opponent. In the present, Arum (and Pacquiao's trainer Freddie Roach) sees Pacquiao as the fresher fighter, having the better legs for movement, being the faster fighter in every aspect and throwing the better arsenal of punches.

Mayweather started his career with Arum's company and fought under the Top Rank banner until 2006, when Floyd bought out his promotional contract and broke away to fight as a free agent.

"He's better than I've ever seen him. I really think Manny's going to stop him [Mayweather]. Mayweather's an excellent fighter, no question about that, and he creates a tremendous challenge for Manny. But I think Manny at this stage can rise to that challenge and win the fight," Arum told ESPN UK.

"I think he has the better skill set of the two at this stage in their careers. I think he'll win with movement, by the number of punches that he throws, and I think his foot speed is a lot better."