Mayweather calls Pacquiao ‘solid but reckless’

MANILA, Philippines – While Floyd Mayweather Jr. respects what Manny Pacquiao has accomplished in the ring, he insists the Filipino icon is not without fault.

And Mayweather vowed to capitalize on Pacquiao’s weaknesses when they tangle on May 2 in what’s going to go down as boxing’s richest fight.

In a column by David Mayo of mlive.com, the undefeated American said he plans to neutralize whatever works for Pacquiao during fights and pounce on his mistakes.

"A lot of guys do a lot of things wrong, but they are still successful," Mayweather said. "So I want to know what he [Pacquiao] does right, so I can take that away from him, so I can take that arsenal away from him. What I do, when I'm facing a guy, whatever he does good, I take that away from him, so he has to resort to doing something different."

Pacquiao, for his part, will try what 47 other boxers before him tried but failed to accomplish, and that is to hand Mayweather the first ever loss of his brilliant professional career.

While many observers believe Mayweather will be contented to try and outbox Pacquiao, the Las Vegas-based boxer promised to make it more exciting this time. The 38-year-old Mayweather isn’t known for his punching power and instead relies more on his boxing skills and defense to win fights.

But he hinted that will change against Pacquiao, whom he acknowledged as “a solid competitor” but a “very reckless” one.

"I just want to look good for myself. I want to look very impressive. I'm pretty sure he's going to bring his A-game, and it's all about excitement. I got here somehow, some way. He's a solid competitor, but very reckless, and he makes a lot of mistakes," Mayweather continued.

"But he's been successful. Remember what I said – you've got guys that make a lot of mistakes but still are successful." – Dino Maragay