'Boom Boom' Mancini: Freddie Roach could be difference in Mayweather-Pacquiao

One in a series of interviews with great boxers, past and present, to discuss the May 2 mega fight between the top two pound-for-pound fighters in the world, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in what is expected to be the most lucrative fight in the history of boxing.

Today: Ray "Boom Boom" Mancini, former world lightweight champion

Is this fight still tasty for you - or was it in the oven too long?

"It does have appeal for me because I am a fight fan. But what does it say about the state of boxing that, five years (later), it is still the biggest fight now? There are a lot of talented fighters, but there is a lack of stars.''

Does Pacquiao have to jump on Mayweather in the first 6 minutes?

"The (first two rounds) are very important. My trainer Murph (Griffith) would tell me, 'Establish and hold center ring.' That is the key. Manny has to do that. Floyd has a way of controlling center ring. The only guy who didn't allow him to do it was (Marcos) Maidana (in their first of two fights). He had (Mayweather) screwed up the first six rounds - then Floyd figured him out and started slapping him around. I think (Pacquiao trainer) Freddie (Roach) has him ready to burn for 12 (rounds). Throw punches in bunches right from the start. Make (Mayweather) fight; he is not used to that. See what happens. Manny might not be as quick as Floyd, but he's pretty damn quick, so beat him to the punch first.''

Could this fight be explosive despite Mayweather's defensive sensibilities?

"The thing about Floyd is, he won't do (crap) if he doesn't have to. He'll slap the daylights out of you for 12 rounds but he won't engage you if he doesn't have to. And he hasn't had to. But Manny comes with crisp, straight punches - he is going to make him fight. If Floyd ain't ready for that … Floyd hasn't had this type of fight where Manny has. If it becomes a fire fight, (Manny) has been in them. Floyd hasn't.''

Will Mayweather eventually be forced to go toe-to-toe with Pacquiao, and give fans what they paid record prices to witness?

"I would hope Floyd would stand there with him but I am not so sure. Floyd is a special fighter. I once told Ray Leonard, 'Floyd can do things you couldn't do.' Ray said, 'What do you mean by that?' Floyd has this innate ability where, when he starts to throw a punch and a guy will lean away. Then, somewhere mid-punch, (Mayweather) will change the trajectory. And it lands. It is weird. You say, 'How did that happen?' But he never could have beaten (Sugar Ray Leonard). Here is why: Ray Leonard had a mean streak in the ring. He wanted to hurt you, annihilate you, embarrass you.''

Is it conceivable that this might be Mayweather's fight to lose?

"Um, I don't want to say that. Manny is a bad style for him. Floyd leans to his right, out of the way of punches, but Manny doesn't fight like a typical southpaw. Manny stands in front of you. He slides to the left, slides to the right, slides back. If he shoots the straight left hand, Floyd's head will be right in the line of fire. I won't say it is Floyd's fight to lose. It's a very difficult, close fight. I think Floyd wins, but if Manny beats him it is not an upset. Nobody should be (shocked) if Manny wins.''

Can you envision Mayweather knocking out Pacquiao?

"Manny has a habit of doing that little bunny hop - he has done it forever. (Juan Manuel) Marquez threw a perfect punch (to knock him out in 2012). I think Floyd looked at that tape. Manny gives it away; he gives that certain tell before (attacking). It's in Floyd's head - this kid (Pacquiao) has been knocked out. No, (it wouldn't surprise me). But I also think Manny can fight more freely because he has been knocked out.''

Rate Mayweather as a self-promoter.

"I met Floyd years ago - nice kid. I admire him for this: Not only he is a talented fighter, but he is a smart businessman. He knows you make a lot more money wearing the black hat. His lifestyle says everything. He doesn't call out guys. He lives a lavish lifestyle that is the envy (of some). People say, 'I want to see him get knocked on his ass.' When anyone flashes the materialistic (stuff) - the clothes, the cars - they are doing it on purpose. Floyd knows how to drive the ire of people. He knows that there will be people who will pay to see him get defeated.''

Does Pacquiao's earnestness strike you as genuine?

"Manny is a very humble guy - 'I am doing this for goodness, for all of the good people.' I love what Manny says (regarding his just-beaten opponent) after a fight: 'We can do Bible study together.' I love that about the guy. He is sincere. It is an obligation for him, a mission of destiny.''

Could Freddie Roach be the difference in this fight?

"What I love about Freddie is that he always devises a plan. I trust Freddie about that. Here's what makes him so special: He talks to his guys - he doesn't yell and look for the camera. He gives them direction. Freddie is a master at finding the opponents' weaknesses and capitalizing.''

Is this fight as much a canvas chess match between Mayweather, the brilliant defensive technician, and Roach the offensive-minded coach? In other words, is it Floyd vs. Freddie as much as it is Money vs. Manny?

"Good way of putting it. Yeah. Manny listens to Freddie. He follows instructions. Floyd doesn't have that. And if he does, he isn't listening. Floyd says, 'I know how to do this, I know how to do that.' He never says, 'My corner.'' He trains himself. So far, he has gotten away with it.''