Fight of the Century predictions: Floyd may weather early onslaught, but Manny packs an “Ow!”

The wait for the Fight of the Century is almost over. Ahead of this tomorrow’s bout, HBO interviewed a handful of boxers who have faced both Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, and assembled a trio of the sport’s legends to provide their insight and pick a winner.

Oscar De La Hoya, Shane Mosley, Ricky Hatton, Juan Manuel Marquez and Miguel Cotto all have had experience in the ring with Saturday’s combatants. Of the five, Mosley, Hatton, Marquez and De La Hoya’s head pick Mayweather to stay undefeated, while De La Hoya’s corazon (heart) goes with Pacquiao and Cotto equivocates.

[fusion_tagline_box backgroundcolor=”#fafafa” shadow=”yes” shadowopacity=”0.5″ border=”” bordercolor=”transparent” highlightposition=”top” link=”” linktarget=”” buttoncolor=”” button=”” title=”“Mayweather loses the first three rounds — he does that all the time — and he will not be able to catch up, although he’ll finish stronger. But I give it to Pacquiao by one round.”” description=”— George Foreman, former heavyweight champ” animation_type=”slide” animation_direction=”left” animation_speed=””][/fusion_tagline_box]

Of the three boxing legends, all anticipate a close decision, but George Foreman thinks Pacquiao will rack up enough early rounds to prevail. Lennox Lewis and Bernard Hopkins side with Mayweather. In terms of importance, Foreman ranks the upcoming mega-fight alongside the second Joe Lewis vs. Max Schmeling fight and first meeting between Muhammad Ali and Joe Frazier.

[fusion_title size=”4″]MAYWEATHER-PACQUIAO: AT LAST[/fusion_title]

If you haven’t had time to get up to speed on the ramifications of Mayweather vs. Pacquiao, HBO Boxing put together a comprehensive documentary that covers it all…