Floyd Mayweather Snr has backed his son to beat Manny Pacquiao comfortably next week, but said he wants him to hang up his gloves afterwards.
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Mayweather Snr, who fought himself in his youth and now trains his son, has written off suggestions that the May 2 bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena is an era-defining clash and described the Philippines fighter as just another opponent.
“This era is closed. It’s done. Pacquiao is done. He needs to be locked up in jail because it’s time to save his a**. Pacquiao needs to lock himself up,” he told the Sunday Telegraph in Britain.
The countdown is on to the richest fight of all time. Floyd Mayweather v Manny Pacquiao is less than a week away. pic.twitter.com/oti213krUq
— Sky Sports News HQ (@SkySportsNewsHQ) April 26, 2015
“He is not on Floyd’s level. All he is, is an opponent. That’s all he is. Nothing more, nothing less.”
Mayweather Jnr goes into the bout with a record of 47 wins and no defeats, with 26 wins by knockout. But while Mayweather Snr is confident his son can extend that flawless streak, he did admit that he would like to see him retire after that.
“I hope that Floyd gets out the game at the right time,” he added. “This is a gambler’s game and I don’t think Floyd should be gambling too much.
It won’t be long yet! Check out this video, featuring @ImagineDragons “Gold”. #MayPac #Mayweather https://t.co/e2jQ7Xr27L
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) April 26, 2015
“Once you reach that pedigree and make that kind of money, you don’t have to fight no more. I hope he walks away after this fight.”
The Pacquiao bout will be the fifth of six fights Mayweather is tied down to under his Showtime contract which he signed in 2013.
Mayweather earned $105 million which again saw him ranked as the world’s highest-earning athlete by Forbes.
George Foreman
Former heavyweight champion
“If we’ve got good judges, it’s going Pacquiao. Mayweather starts off early kind of looking for his timing and Pacquiao will pot shot him and get ahead on points and he’ll stay ahead.”
Oscar De La Hoya
Former 10-time world champion who lost to Mayweather and Pacquiao
“There are two scenarios: Pacquiao can push the pace, make Floyd fight. If he’s in great shape, it can be an exciting fight because of Pacquiao. Mayweather’s not going to make an exciting fight. Or Mayweather can figure him out and box him the whole night and have an easy win.”
Wladimir Klitschko
WBO, IBF, WBO and IBO heavyweight champion
“From a boxing standpoint I give Floyd a 51 per cent advantage, Manny 49 per cent. Watching their two styles, I think Floyd has a slight advantage and will win on points.”
Ricky Hatton
Former light welterweight and welterweight champion who lost to Mayweather and Pacquiao
“They are both about the same age but Floyd has not taken as many punches. Manny has been in some real wars and that gives Floyd the slight advantage. Manny has lost, but he knows how to start winning again and, to be honest, Manny has looked a little bit better since losing to Marquez.”
Joel Diaz
Tim Bradley’s former trainer
“If Manny gives Floyd time and space, Floyd will pick him apart. And when Manny starts missing punches he starts to tie up a bit. You have to make him think. That slows him down. For Manny to win he has to attack and that’s going to be difficult for 12 rounds without making a mistake.”
