Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao Q&A: The odds of a KO are slim... unless Pacman connects with perfect shot to Money's chin

Sportsmail's boxing correspondent Jeff Powell is in Las Vegas preparing to report on the richest fight in boxing history between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao.

With a day to go before the pair touch gloves in the MGM Garden Arena, Jeff answers questions from the readers ahead of the showdown.

Read Jeff's answers to your questions below... 

  • James Andrew

    Host commentator

That's your lot...

Thank you for all of your questions. I have really enjoyed answering them over the last hour.

Make sure you keep checking Sportsmail for all the latest news, features and interviews ahead of the big fight and you will be able to follow round-by-round coverage on Saturday.

Enjoy the fight.


Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will fight each other in one of the most eagerly anticipated bout for many years
Jeff, who is going to win??!

This has the makings of a very close fight. Manny throws more punches, Floyd is the best in the world at blocking and eluding. Could be a testing night for the judges. Manny can get it if the judges favour aggression. Floyd could dominate if he gets the PacMan frustrated.

Pacquiao is capable of winning the fight due to the number of punches he throws
Mayweather remains the best in the world at blocking and eluding punches
Do you think there will be a KO on Saturday? @kezman157

Probably not. Manny has the power but Floyd is probably the best defensive boxer ever. But not impossible if Manny connects with a perfect shot to the chin and follows up. He’s a great finisher.

Pacquiao did manage to put Chris Algieri on the canvas several times in his last fight - but he is unlikely to beat Mayweather by knock out due to his defensive skills
What is it like being ringside for fights like this? Barry, via email

Fantastic atmosphere. Incredible buzz. And we all probably feel more nervous than the fighters. Even Sugar Ray Leonard says his palms will be sweaty. Being there when Mike Tyson came to the ring in his destructive pomp made the hairs on the back of the neck stand up.

Sportsmail's boxing correspondent Jeff Powell will be ringside on fight night
Why is the fight not at a bigger arena when you can fit 90,000 people into Wembley? Gooner Ted

Floyd called all the shots in the negotiations. He lives in Vegas. He loves the MGM Grand and doesn’t want to fight anywhere else. Given his economic value to this city he might be favoured by the two Nevada judges if it’s a very close fight.

Mayweather called all the shots in negotiations and likes fighting at his 'home' venue of the MGM Grand in Las Vegas
How much does all the showmanship, particularly from Mayweather, matter when it comes to fight night? Paul S, via email

In reality, not at all. Some of the crowd don’t like him for it but both will shut out the noise and focus on the job in hand. It will be all business for them once the bell goes. Both appear very calm at the moment.

Some of the crowd do not like Mayweather's showmanship - but he won't let that bother him on fight night
Where will this fight be won and lost? @Zain_555555

Between Floyd’s defence and intelligent ring generalship and Manny’s speed, power and relentless throwing of lots of punches every round. For either to win, the game plan and execution will have to be perfect.

Both Mayweather and Pacquiao will have to have the perfect game plan to win the fight
Why is Manny so sure that his southpaw style will outfox Mayweather's orthodox one? @JLowoyan

The key to Floyd's defence is his rolling up his left shoulder. This makes it difficult for orthodox opponents to land their big rights. Manny’s knock out punch is the left hook. Also, the southpaw’s straight right jab comes down the middle, inside the shoulder roll.

Pacquiao's southpaw style could cause Mayweather some problems
Aren't these guys too old now? I wish this had happened in 2009. Brian Goodridge, via email

Both are amazingly fit, achieved by never getting out of shape between fights. And for all of us it is likely to be a better fight because Floyd’s leg have slowed a little and he will have to stand and fight at times, not just defend and counter.

Despite being towards the end of his career Manny Pacquiao is still extremely fit
Mayweather's legs may have slowed down over the years so be may have to stand and fight
Are you surprised this fight is actually finally happening after all the stuff down the years? Keith Bellwood, via email

Not really. They built the fight up to this magnitude. Floyd deep down knew his legacy would be flawed if he didn’t fight the great rival of his generation. Manny kept agreeing to all his demands so he ran out of excuses.

After five years of 'will they, won't they' the fight that everyone wants to see is finally on
Why do you think Mayweather wants to do it now and not 5 years ago? @Philzo

It’s the same answer to almost every question from Floyd: Money. As he reminds us, he and Manny would have split no more than $60million purse five years ago. Now he gets at least $180million and PacMan upwards of $120million.

Floyd Mayweather will earn at least $180m from the fight
Hello from Las Vegas!

Good morning from Las Vegas, the fight capital of the world.

The atmosphere here among the bright lights of the Nevada desert is one of excitement ahead of the richest fight in boxing history. 

When Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao enter the ring at the MGM Garden Arena at around 9pm local time the fight will be worth a minimum of $300m.

Thank you for sending in your questions all week. I will do my best to answer them now. 

The MGM Grand is ready for Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao




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