By Edward Chaykovsky
Former two division world champion Bernard Hopkins gave his take on the upcoming mega-match between Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao. The fight, with the WBO/WBC/WBA welterweight titles at stake, is going to happen on May 2nd from the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Hopkins expects Mayweather to bring his best, because Pacquiao will be a deadlier challenger than Marcos Maidana, Ricky Hatton or Miguel Cotto. Mayweather usually picks his punches carefully and fires. To beat Pacquiao, Hopkins says Mayweather will need to throw more punches than he's ever thrown in the past.
The future Hall of Famer predicts a very close pitched battle with Mayweather coming out on top - by way of a controversial twelve round decision.
"Because of Pacquiao's style, he will try to overwhelm Mayweather. If [Mayweather] gets through [that first rush], he will defeat him. Mayweather will have to make adjustments, make Pacquiao think before he reacts," Hopkins told CBS Sports.
"If he can, it can be like taking candy from a baby. If he can do that, make adjustments as far as distance ... Pacquiao jumps in and out. He's not Maidana or Cotto. Floyd has to produce more than he has before, in terms of punching. He's not fighting Hatton. Pacquiao can bring it all night, so Floyd's jab and counter-punching will be key. I see Floyd making the adjustments. But by no means will this be a cakewalk. Floyd can just as well lose as win. I say Floyd wins by controversial decision."
