Mayweather & Pacquiao: 10 memorable fights
Boxing stars to square off May 2
With Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao making their May 2 megafight official today, here’s a look back at 10 of their more memorable bouts (five for each boxer), presented in chronological order:
Pacquiao vs. Erik Morales (November 2006)
After avenging a decision defeat to Morales with a knockout in their rematch, Pacquaio wins the rubber match of the super featherweight trilogy with a third-round KO.
Mayweather vs. Oscar De La Hoya (May 2007)
To cash in on what was, at the time, the richest bout in boxing history, Mayweather agrees to move up from 147 pounds to 154. The size difference doesn’t matter, as Mayweather’s sublime defence neutralizes De La Hoya’s power and he wins a split decision that gives him claim to six different belts.
Pacquiao vs. De La Hoya (December 2008)
Moving up in weight to face the six-time world champ in a non-title bout, Pacquiao overcomes a perceived size disadvantage, dominating the older De La Hoya with speed and power before De La Hoya’s corner stops the fight following the eighth round, sending the Golden Boy into retirement.
Pacquiao vs. Ricky Hatton (May 2009)
At the height of his powers, Pacquiao puts the Great British Hope down twice in the first round, and to sleep with a devastating left in the second.
Pacquiao vs. Miguel Cotto (November 2009)
Pacquaio batters the tough but overmatched WBO welterweight champ, winning by TKO in the 12th to become the first fighter to take titles in seven different weight classes.
Mayweather vs. Victor Ortiz (September 2011)
After Ortiz attempts to make amends for a headbutt with a hug, Mayweather makes his opponent pay for his over-the-top display of sportsmanship by drilling a defenceless Ortiz for a rare knockout.
Mayweather vs. Cotto (May 2012)
Moving up to light middleweight to meet an opponent he called one of the toughest he’s ever faced, Mayweather absorbs some punishment from Cotto but still comes away with a unanimous decision.
Pacquiao vs. Juan Manuel Marquez (December 2012)
Despite winning two of their first three bouts (the other was scored a draw), Pacquiao had something to prove the fourth time around against Marquez after taking a controversial decision in their last meeting. But after each man scores a knockdown, the Mexican, looking more muscled than normal, lays out Pacquiao with a single shot in the sixth round. Pacquaio rebounds with wins over Brandon Rios, Timothy Bradley (a rematch of a controversial Bradley win on points) and Chris Algieri before agreeing to fight Mayweather.
Mayweather vs. Canelo Alvarez (September 2013)
A trendy pick to deal Mayweather his first loss, Alvarez proves to be out of his league in the 152-pound catchweight fight, even though one judge scores it a draw. Mayweather wins easily by decision.
Mayweather vs. Marcos Maidana (September 2014)
Mayweather had trouble with the game Maidana in their first fight, but wins the welterweight title rematch more easily in his last appearance before agreeing to take on Pacquiao.