Arum: Mayweather's Leg Slowed Up, Pac a Big Favorite

By Edward Chaykovsky

Top Rank's CEO Bob Arum, promoter of WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao, considers his fighter to be a big favorite to defeat WBC/WBA champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2nd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. Arum had promoted Mayweather from the start of his pro career until 2006, when Mayweather bought out his contract and became a free agent. It wasn't much later when Arum brought Pacquiao on board with his company.

"I think Manny has been playing this fight over in his mind for five years. I think he's in great, great shape, I think his game plan is terrific. I think he wins the fight and he wins it decisively. I think it would have been more competitive in 2010. Now, I don't care what the books say, I make my guy a big, big favorite, which I wouldn't have done in 2010. I would have made him a favorite, but slight," Arum told CBS Sports.

Why is Arum so confident? The very same reason that Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, is confident. Arum says Mayweather's legs have gotten old....or at least older.

"People who don't follow boxing too much don't understand how important legs are. There's no question that Floyd's legs have slowed up. That happens, generally, with fighters. It's very significant with Floyd, because his leg movement was part of his great defensive arsenal. And he doesn't particularly have that anymore. He's still smart as hell. He still defends well. He understands boxing. But the legs are five years older than they were then," Arum said.