The most anticipated boxing match in televised history will take place next month at the most famous boxing site in the world, the MGM Grand Hotel and Casino. The two renowned boxers are eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao, and undefeated, five-division world champion Floyd Mayweather. It has long been argued which of these two is the greatest living pound-for-pound boxer, but it will be Pacquiao who leaves with this victory.

Mayweather has had a career of 47 matches, having won all of them with 26 knockouts. Due to his his perfect record, many consider him unbeatable. However, Mayweather did take an unexpected break from boxing in 2008, according to espn.com. On June 6, 2008, Mayweather announced his retirement from boxing.

Pacquiao in the other corner, has competed in 64 matches having won 57, lost 5, and drawn two with 38 knockouts. During Mayweather’s short absence, Pacquiao gained much recognition for for his eighth-round TKO victory against two-time olympic gold medalist Óscar de la Hoya, according to the Las Vegas Sun.

Mayweather announced he was coming out of retirement after Pacquiao’s victory against de la Hoya. Mayweather made his announcement on May 2, 2009, the day Pacquiao was scheduled to fight Ricky Hatton. In my opinion, Mayweather most likely recognized Pacquiao’s streak of success, and also realized he wasn’t the biggest name in boxing anymore. During a press conference before Pacquiao’s fight against Hatton, Mayweather downplayed Pacquiao’s success heavily, according to lasvegassun.com.

“If he wins tonight, don’t be all shocked,” Mayweather said. “Cause guess what? I beat (Hatton) when he was undefeated. Pacquiao beat Oscar, it don’t matter. Going down to 147 pound was too much for (de la Hoya), he was dead after the first round. I also think that Marquez beat him twice. when you talk boxing, you talk Floyd Mayweather.”

I firmly believe Pacquiao will take the victory because he has simply been in the ring more than Mayweather. He has more experience. Pacquiao changed weight classes to fight de la Hoya, and still won. Another reason I believe Pacquiao will win is because of Mayweather’s near year-long retirement from the sport. While Mayweather was away, Pacquiao was still boxing, and thriving. It just seems to me Pacquiao will be more prepared than Mayweather. Also, Mayweather seems a little too cocky to be wrestling someone who beat a two-time olympic gold medalist.