by Jeremy Harness

Floyd Mayweather comes into the ring tonight with a record of 47-0 and Manny Pacquiao has a 57-5-2 record so just based on the record Mayweather would obviously have the advantage. This fight should have happened three years ago when both fighters were closer to their prime. Mayweather who is undefeated is past his prime himself. At this point in professional boxing there is no one that can beat him.

Manny Pacquiao is known for his great offensive fight skills and his combination of punches which should give Mayweather a good run for his money. Mayweather is strictly a defensive fighter and he’s a very good defensive fighter he has to be the best of all time and Mayweather is arguably the best fighter of all time.

At the same time Mayweather has had problems with his hands with hand injuries and things of that nature. He used to be a very good offensive fighter but not anymore. Based on the level of skill I would pick Mayweather in this fight by a decision. Pacquiao knows some of Mayweather’s weaknesses and Pacquiao will end up throwing a lot of punches.

This is not to say that Pacquiao doesn’t play any defense but he will be on offense for this fight most of the time. It’s going to be a fight where Mayweather has to throw back. Pacquiao will come in with an offensive game plan and look for Mayweather to pick his spots. In this fight look for Mayweather to play defense.

Mayweather is going to try and frustrate Pacquiao by using any defensive tactic that he can. Mayweather can play rope a dope and he will try to frustrate Pacquiao in anyway that he can. Pacquiao doesn’t get frustrated very often, Pacquiao has had trouble against crafty boxers, Pacquiao has suffered a knock loss a couple of years back.

Juan Manuel Marquez has a little more punching power than Mayweather does and Marquez has a good chance of beating Mayweather if and when they book a future fight. At this point Mayweather isn’t going to be knocking anybody out soon Pacquiao doesn’t have to worry about that. This fight has got a lot of hype and it’s right up there with the top matches of all time, Ali-Frazier I, Leonard-Hearns, and Louis and Schmeling.

Jeremy Harness covers boxing for http://www.sportsradioservice.com and is doing commentary for the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, Radio correspondent Eric He will be filing a story covering the fight. Listen to J’s podcast below.