'Mayweather too big and too fast for Pacquiao'

By Alex P. Vidal

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Most Americans based here believed their countryman, holder of the WBA and WBC 147-lb crowns, will easily beat Manny Pacquiao when they square off for 12 rounds at the MGM Grand Arena on May 2.
"I'm sorry man, but Floyd (Mayweather Jr.) is too big and too fast for Pacquiao. Floyd will remain undefeated after May 3," quipped Richard MacMaran, 53, a strip entertainer who entertains tourists in the Bellagio sidewalk.  "I like your Pacquiao but Floyd is the better fighter."
James Sutherland, 47, a Caesar's Palace iPhone store assistant, said he watched most of Mayweather Jr.'s fights in Las Vegas and "I was impressed with his style, speed and patience."
He added: "Mayweather displays ferocity with grace each time he dismantles an opponent. I compare him to Sugar Ray Robinson."

DIFFERENT

Darren Graney, a Fox Sports TV crew, said he noticed that Mayweather's preparations were different for Pacquiao compared to his past fights.
"Floyd increased his muscles and I think he will prove his critics wrong; he might  slug toe to toe with Pacquiao to prove that he is not afraid of Pacquiao contrary to the claims of Freddie (Roach)," Graney said.
Moses Bernstein, a hotel staff, said he admires Pacquiao "but I have strong faith in Mayweather Jr. It will be a hard fight but in the end, Mayweather will emerge victorious. I can't comment whether it's going to be a knockout or on points. But Mayweather will win this big fight."
Pacquiao, 36, did not participate in the arrival ceremony at the MGM Grand to formally kick off fight week for his much-anticipated unification duel against Mayweather Jr.
The Filipino ring icon made an appearance at what Top Rank called a free "Las Vegas fan rally" on April 28 at 11 o'clock in the morning at Mandalay Bay's South Convention Center--Bayside C.

ACCOMPANY

He was accompanied by Roach, legal adviser Michael Koncz and childhood buddy Buboy Fernandez, who acts as Roach's assistant.
"We have an obligation to the fans and the press," announced Arum, 83. "We just don't think the grand arrivals are secure enough. It's like a mob scene in the (MGM Grand) lobby, particularly for this fight. Instead, we'll have a big ballroom, all roped off. We'll be there and we'll have the rally and then we'll go with selected press to sit with us and answere their questions."
Pacquiao's is staying in the Mandalay Bay and Arum thought his ward's appearance in the MGM Grand kick off  was no longer necessary.
Review journal's Ed Graney commented, meanwhile, that "the fight that is Floyd Mayweather Jr. against Manny Pacquiao on Saturday night at the MGM Grand Garden stormed past the event stage long ago and is now a full-fledged phenomenon. Whether the action inside a ring can match the ridiculously elevated level of hype that will have preceded it is no longer debated."