LAS VEGAS, NV (April 30)…Some of the most recognized boxing fans in the world are weighing in on the match-up between undefeated six-time world champion Floyd “Money” Mayweather and WBA Welterweight Super Champion Sugar Shane Mosley, who are set to meet in Mayweather vs. Mosley: Who R U Picking? on Saturday, May 1 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas in a mega-bout which will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
From real estate moguls to NFL Pro-Bowlers, NBA All-Stars to Hall of Fame fighters and trainers, we have their opinions on who they believe will emerge victorious this Saturday. Below please find the predictions of these prominent personalities as they lend their thoughts on this historic match-up.
CELEBRITIES
“I’m picking Mayweather. Although I think they are both champions and I’m really looking forward to the fight!”
– Donald Trump, Chairman and CEO of The Trump Organization, host of NBC reality-series The Apprentice
“Some people fight with their fists, some people fight with their mouths…May 1st FIST meets Mouth. Sugar Shane by knockout!”
– George Lopez, comedian and host of Lopez Tonight!
“I like the weather in what month? May. Put it together – Mayweather.”
– George Wallace, comedian and Las Vegas headliner
“I predict the hurricane punches of Floyd Mayweather will prove to be too much for the Sugar Shane Mosley.”
– Frank Caliendo, master impressionist and headliner at Monte Carlo
“I don’t see any advantage for Mayweather. Mosley in a 9th round KO.”
– Omar Miller, actor CSI: Miami
“Mosley will chin check Mayweather!! But alas. Mayweather will win a decision!”
– Andre Royo, actor The Wire
“I will take Mosley with a TKO in the 10th.”
– Louie Anderson, stand-up comedian and star of “Louie Anderson: Joker of the Castle” at Excalibur ® Las Vegas
“Knock-out! Mayweather, though April weather is better.”
– Carrot Top, stand-up comedian and star of “Carrot Top” at Luxor Las Vegas
“I have to go with Mayweather on this one…Because Money can buy Sugar, but Sugar can’t buy Money.”
– Terry Fator, ventriloquist and star of “Terry Fator: Ventriloquism in Concert” at The Mirage ® Las Vegas
“Pretty Boy Floyd wins! Mayweather is a great boxer with amazing defensive skills and the ability to hurt guys in bunches. He likes to hang on the ropes luring opponents to make them punch themselves out so he can capitalize on their fatigue and mistakes. He’s a crafty boy with superior footwork. Floyd is a warrior besides even being aesthetically….’hot.'”
– Angelica Bridges, actress and star of “Fantasy” at Luxor Las Vegas
“I am a fan of BOTH of these amazing fighters, but in boxing, there can only be ONE TRUE winner. So if I had to bet the farm on it…”Pretty Boy” Floyd Mayweather is going to win. Sorry Sugar, but not this time.”
– Tichina Arnold, actress, “Everybody Hates Chris”
“I’m going with Money Mayweather in 12!”
– DJ Drama, critically acclaimed Hip-Hop DJ
BOXERS
“I give the edge to Mayweather. How can I not based on his unblemished record? Mayweather is the man to beat and if there were any fighters that I thought had a chance to beat Floyd Mayweather, one would be Shane Mosley. We will find out on May 1st. One thing I personally know is that Shane has to become “Sugar” again to become victorious. Intriguing fight.”
– Sugar Ray Leonard, Seven-Time World Champion
“This fight will be a real welterweight contest. Mosley can win if he is capable of closing Floyd’s [Mayweather] exits and using his speed along with his power.”
– Juan Manuel “Dinamita” Marquez, WBA, WBO and The Ring Magazine Lightweight World Champion
“I’m for Shane Mosley…He must do the right preparation. If he does, then he has a very good chance against Mayweather.”
– Manny “Pac-Man” Pacquiao, WBO Welterweight World Champion
“I think it’s a 50-50 fight. It’s the most dangerous fight Mayweather has ever had. Mosley could upset him, but I think it will be close.”
– Joe “The Pride of Wales” Calzaghe, former WBA, WBC, IBF, WBO and The Ring Magazine Super Middleweight Champion
“Floyd Mayweather and Shane Mosley are my two favorite modern day warriors, who I’ve studied in-depth over the years. Both fighters are guaranteed to go down in history as ‘Greats’ as they’ve fought and beaten great World Champions in many different weight divisions. This fight will be a very tense and competitive contest from the start, similar to the De La Hoya-Mayweather fight, but the difference I feel will be that Mosley will push hard down the final straight. This fight can go either way, but I edge towards Mosley. If there’s anyone on the planet with the tools and experience to beat the pound-for-pound King Floyd “Money” Mayweather, Sugar Shane Mosley will be the man.”
– David “The Haymaker” Haye, WBA Heavyweight World Champion, former Unified WBA, WBC, WBO and The Ring Magazine Cruiserweight World Champion
“I think it’s going to be a good fight, but it’s a pick’em fight for me. I don’t know. They both have a chance.”
– Ronald “Winky” Wright, former Undisputed Junior Middleweight World Champion
“I think its going to be a great fight. I’m picking Mosley in the early rounds but in the end, Mayweather will take the decision.”
– Juan “Baby Bull” Diaz, former Unified WBA, IBF and Lightweight World Champion
“I believe Shane will impose his strength and speed in the early rounds, but after the first few rounds Floyd will adapt and figure Shane out, and start picking his shots as the fight goes on and Shane starts to slow down. Mayweather will win by decision.”
– Andre “The Beast” Berto, WBC Welterweight Champion
“I want Mosley to win but I think by the 6th round Mayweather’s talent will start taking over anything Mosley has to offer. Mayweather wins a unanimous decision in a typical Mayweather fight.”
– Sergio “The Latin Snake” Mora, former WBC Junior Middleweight Worldd Champion
“It will be a very competitive fight. Mosley will press the action, but Mayweather will use his defense to out-box him. Many people want Mayweather to lose because of his personality, but no one can take it away from Mayweather that he is, pound for pound, one of the best fighters in history. It will be close, but Mayweather will win.”
– Sergio “Maravilla” Martinez, WBC Junior Middleweight World Champion and WBC and WBO Middleweight World Champion
“It’s a close fight to call, but I pick Floyd in a competitive fight. He’s had the ability to get up for the biggest moments of his career and this will be no different.”
– Paulie “Magic Man” Malignaggi, NABO Junior Welterweight Champion and former IBF Junior Welterweight World Champion
“I believe Mosley is going to get the victory. Shane has the talent and skills to beat Mayweather.”
– Saul “Canelo” Alvarez, WBC Youth Welterweight World Champion
“I strongly believe Floyd has a lot of talent, but Mosley is so strong and still has a lot of speed, so it will not be a surprise if he wins.”
– Israel “Magnifico” Vazquez, former Three-Time World Champion
“I’m picking Mayweather by decision, but he won’t knock Mosley out.”
– Fernando “The Aztec Warrior” Vargas, former WBA and IBF Junior Middleweight Champion
“I think Mayweather is going to win by close decision, but I’m pulling for Mosley.”
– Ricardo “Rocky” Juarez, Junior Lightweight contender
“It’s going to come down to whoever’s got the best strategy. That’s the guy who will take the other guy out. Mosley’s bigger, but has good speed. We’ll see how Shane is going to press Floyd, and how Floyd is going to press Shane. How they adapt to each other is going to be the difference. Shane is definitely Floyd’s biggest test. I couldn’t tell you who’d win. I’d pick it a draw. I really don’t care who wins, but I want the winner either way.”
– Paul “The Punisher” Williams, former Two-Time Welterweight World Champion
TRAINERS
“Shane’s my friend and I hope he wins, but he has trouble with speed and movement and likes guys to come to him so it’s going to be difficult.”
– Freddie Roach, Trainer of Manny Pacquiao and Amir Khan
“This is a very interesting fight. Mayweather will have his toughest fight yet against Mosley, who came up the ranks and fought every tough Mexican. When Mayweather covers up and brings his right hand up, Mosley is going to hit him with left hooks to the liver. He’ll go under the elbow. This is a tough, tough fight, and a great fight. I’m looking forward to it. Mayweather is going to really have to hustle because Mosley is at the top of this game. Mayweather has to fight his best fight ever, because Mosley’s stronger, more mature than anyone Mayweather has ever faced. While Mayweather is truly a one of a kind fighter, I would have to give the edge to Mosley by decision.”
– Angelo Dundee, Hall of Fame Trainer of Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and George Foreman
“I like Floyd in this one. If it was 3 years ago I would have said Shane, but styles make fights and I just think that at this point in time Floyd’s style is going to give Shane problems. Margarito stands in front of you, and Mosley just hit him up. I have to go with Floyd. He makes adjustments very well and once he makes that adjustment it could be a boring fight. Mosley is saying he’s going to knock Floyd out. Floyd rises to the occasion. The better his opponent is, the better Floyd is. Shane has a shot, don’t get me wrong, and Floyd has to be on his p’s and q’s all night. But I’m picking Floyd in a decision.”
– Buddy McGirt, Trainer of Arturo Gatti and Antonio Tarver
“I think Floyd Mayweather is going to win. I think he’s too good of a counterpuncher for Shane Mosley. Shane is going to have to make the fight and that’s going to play into Floyd’s hands. Mosley is a really good fighter, but watching his last few fights, I just don’t think he can keep up with Mayweather. He’s not going to be able to keep up the pace that can stop Floyd from throwing punches. I think Mosley will have a good first four rounds, but then Floyd will take over after that. Mosley’s got a shot, but if he tries to box Floyd, Floyd will dominate early. His best shot is to jump on Floyd and dominate early, and hurt him. If he tries to come out and make it a slow pace he’s in trouble. He has to come out and hurt Floyd, but I don’t see him doing that. I pick Mayweather in a wide decision.”
– Ronnie Shields, Trainer of Tomasz Adamek, Evander Holyfield, Mike Tyson and Juan Diaz
“I’m picking Shane Mosley. I think he will stop Mayweather. Mayweather hasn’t had the competition that Shane has. Mayweather always had the advantages. He never went into an even fight. Mosley has the knowledge, ring generalship, speed, power and just the ability in general that will lead to a win. Mayweather has been cherry picking and not challenging anyone. Mosley by knockout. No doubt about it.”
– George Peterson, Trainer of Paul Williams
ATHLETES
“Magic votes for Floyd all the way!”
– Magic Johnson, Five-Time NBA Champion, Three-Time NBA MVP, Twelve-Time NBA All-Star, Three-Time NBA Finals MVP
“Mayweather in a decision. He [Mayweather] is a smaller guy who can dance. Mosley can’t let him hit him.”
– Charles Barkley, 11-Time NBA All-Star and TNT/NBA TV basketball analyst
“Mayweather in a unanimous decision. Mayweather will knock down Shane once but Mosley will be his toughest fight to date. Mayweather is the best boxer this world has seen in 20 years so he’ll win.”
– Chris Webber, Five-Time NBA All-Star and TNT/NBA TV basketball analyst
“Mayweather KO in the 9th. He is in his prime and blazing it right now. I see his strength, speed and endurance being just too much for Mosley. Mayweather is a beast!”
– Caron Butler, Two-Time NBA All-Star Forward, Dallas Mavericks
“Shane has a great chance. I will predict a victory. He has a great chin, and he’s the type of fighter who can give Floyd problems, with the pressure and the discipline, and he still has the quickness. So it’s going to be a great fight.”
– LaDainian Tomlinson, Five-Time NFL Pro Bowler, 2006 NFL MVP, Running Back, New York Jets
“I need to hold one of them belts and walk in the ring with Money May on May 1st. No way I am missing this one.”
– Chad Ochocinco, Six-Time NFL Pro Bowler, Wide Receiver, Cincinnati Bengals
“I want Mosley to win but I really have no clue. Floyd is a badass and will be tough to beat.”
– Jared Allen, Three-Time NFL Pro Bowler, Defensive End, Minnesota Vikings
“Money Mayweather is going to get Mosley in the 10th round by TKO. Mayweather’s the best fighter around right now, at least until someone can prove otherwise by beating him.”
– Shawne Merriman, Three-Time NFL Pro Bowler, 2005 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Linebacker, San Diego Chargers
“I think that Mayweather is going to win in eight rounds. Mayweather is 40-0 for a reason. He’s got youth behind him and he’s just too quick for Mosley.”
– Patrick Willis, Two-Time NFL Pro-Bowler, 2007 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year, Linebacker, San Francisco 49ers
“I think Mayweather’s going to win versus Mosley. Floyd is way more athletic and technically sound than anyone else in boxing right now.”
– Kellen Winslow II, NFL Pro-Bowler, Tight End, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
“I’m picking ‘Money’ Mayweather. I say he gets unanimous decision but it goes full length.”
– Ryan Grant, Running Back, Green Bay Packers
“I’m calling a 7th round knockout and Mayweather wins”
– Shaun Phillips, Defensive End, San Diego Chargers
“I like Sugar Shane in a split decision. Floyd probably is the better talent, but that only gets you so far. Shane WANTS this more, and at 39, and 5 losses, he’s fighting for redemption!”
– Tiki Barber, Three-Time NFL Pro-Bowler, Former New York Giants Running Back
“I think Floyd will win based on his speed, his ability not to get hit and how he counter-punches. Also his ability to fight any style, but I think this going to be his toughest fight to date.”
– John Starks, NBA All-Star, Former New York Knicks Guard
“Mayweather is the master of not getting hit. His quickness and defense will be too much for Shane to match.”
– B.J. Upton, Center Fielder, Tampa Bay Rays
“Shane Mosley will win, because Orlando Hudson picked Mayweather and he also picked Roy Jones in the last fight and was way off!”
– Justin Morneau, Three-Time MLB All-Star, First Baseman, Minnesota Twins
“Mosley. He’s got the power, the size and the reach.”
– Gordon Beckham, Second Baseman, Chicago White Sox
“Mayweather will take it. He’s undefeated so he must be doing something right.”
– Justin Verlander, Two-Time MLB All-Star, Pitcher, Detroit Tigers
“Money Mayweather is winning this fight. He is the Muhammad Ali of our generation. His swagger, his demeanor – Mayweather has it all. I think the fight will go the whole way, and I think he just beats him [Mosley] up throughout the fight. It will go to a decision, but Mayweather will outclass him because he is the real deal.”
– Santino Quaranta, Midfielder/Striker, DC United
# # #
Mayweather vs. Mosley: Who R U Picking? is promoted by Mayweather Promotions and Golden Boy Promotions, and sponsored by Cerveza Tecate, AT&T, DeWALT Tools and StubHub. The 12-round welterweight battle is set for Saturday, May 1 at MGM Grand in Las Vegas and will be produced and distributed live on HBO Pay-Per-View® beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT.
Tickets, priced at $1,250, $1,000, $600, $300 and $150 not including applicable service charges, are on sale now and limited to 10 per person and ticket sales at $150 are limited to two (2) per person with a total ticket limit of 10 per person. To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000. Tickets also are available for purchase at www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com.
Seven of the MGM MIRAGE properties will host closed circuit viewing of Mayweather vs. Mosley. Tickets for the closed circuit telecasts at all venues are priced at $50, not including applicable service charges and handling fees are on sale now. All seats will be general admission and will be available at each individual property’s box office outlets and at all Las Vegas Ticketmaster locations (select Smith’s Food and Drug Centers and Ritmo Latino). To charge by phone with a major credit card, call Ticketmaster at (800) 745-3000, or visit www.mgmgrand.com or www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket sales are limited to 20 per person.
The finale of HBO®’s all-access reality series “24/7 Mayweather/Mosley” debuts tonight Friday, Apr. 30 at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT. Episodes one thru three are available on HBO ON DEMAND®. All four episodes will air consecutively on Saturday, May 1 at 9:30 a.m. ET/PT on the main service.
The Mayweather vs. Mosley pay-per-view telecast, beginning at 9 p.m. ET/6 p.m. PT, has a suggested retail price of $54.95, will be produced and distributed by HBO Pay-Per-View® and will be available to more than 71 million pay-per-view homes. The telecast will be available in HD-TV for those viewers who can receive HD. HBO Pay-Per-View®, a division of Home Box Office, Inc., is the leading supplier of event programming to the pay-per-view industry. For Mayweather vs. Mosley fight week updates, log on to www.hbo.com.
