There is a ton of excitement surrounding Saturday's fight between Floyd Mayweather and Robert Guerrero, and that excitement has permeated into the world of celebrity. Boxing may not be as popular as it once was, but celebrities and athletes are always willing to give their opinions on a Mayweather fight.
Mayweather is a -700 favorite and Guerrero is a +450 underdog, according to Bovada, so it is clear what the oddsmakers think. Most of the celebrities that have spoken out echo those sentiments, but Mayweather isn't the consensus pick as there are some who believe that Guerrero has a chance to pull off the upset.
According to SI.com, Mayweather's PR firm released a press release which included 19 athletes and 14 entertainers picking the Mayweather vs. Guerrero fight. Here are some of the most intriguing and significant celebrity predictions for Saturday night's huge encounter.
Justin Bieber (Singer)
Pop star Justin Bieber wouldn't seem to be a great fit in the boxing world, but he has been seen with Mayweather in the past and even accompanied him to the ring before. With that in mind, it should come as no surprise that Bieber has "Money" Mayweather fever.
Bieber's insight isn't exactly in-depth, but most observers certainly agree with him. Also, it's safe to say that every girl in the United States and Canada between the ages of seven and 13 are now firmly behind Mayweather as well.
Kevin Krigger (Jockey)
Saturday promises to be a memorable day for jockey Kevin Krigger as he will ride Goldencents in the Kentucky Derby. Goldencents is among the top contenders in the field and Krigger has a chance to become the first African-American jockey to win the Kentucky Derby since Jimmy Winkfield in 1902.
Despite the work that Krigger has ahead of him, he weighed in on the fight and it is clear that he follows boxing as he spoke quite intelligently on the matter.
I’ve seen some of Guerrero’s fights and he didn’t impress me that much. He didn’t look like a guy who could beat Mayweather. It depends on what Mayweather wants to do with him. He might want to use him to prepare for his next fight. Mayweather will win by knockout in the sixth.
Depending upon how things go on Saturday, perhaps Krigger can soak in the Mayweather fight after winning his sport's biggest event.
Mario Lopez (TV Personality)
A.C. Slater was a star wrestler for the Bayside Tigers on Saved By the Bell, but Slater's real-life counterpart, Mario Lopez, seems to prefer boxing. The television personality often attends big fights and has covered some in the past as well. Lopez will once again be present at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas for Mayweather vs. Guerrero.
Lopez is of Mexican descent like Guerrero and since Cinco de Mayo is coming up on Sunday, it appears as though he believes that Mexican karma will be working in Guerrero's favor.
It being Cinco De Mayo weekend and me being Mexican, I have to go with the upset and pick Guerrero by split decision in an entertaining and spirited fight. #VivaMexico
It may seem like the whole world is picking against Guerrero, but when you have Albert Clifford Slater on your side, you always have a chance.
Dion Waiters (Cleveland Cavaliers)
After a successful rookie season in which he averaged 14.7 points per game for the Cleveland Cavaliers, people are certainly listening to what Dion Waiters has to say. The former Syracuse Orange standout is among the NBA's rising stars and his comments suggest that he has an affinity for boxing as well.
Hardwork (sic) and dedication are the keys. I spent some time with Floyd in Las Vegas last year and he is the hardest-working athlete I’ve ever seen. I can’t see him losing now or ever. He wins by fifth-round technical knockout.
While Waiters' selection of Mayweather isn't exactly groundbreaking, most seem to believe that the fight will go the distance. Waiters sees Mayweather overwhelming Guerrero, however, and knocking him out fairly early in the fight.
Chris Shiflett (Foo Fighters Guitarist)
Chris Shiflett is a guitarist for the popular band The Foot Fighters, but he seems to be a boxing expert in his free time. Of all the celebrities that were surveyed, Shiflett has the most in-depth response. His opinion may not be a popular one, but it's clear that he put a lot of thought into it.
I think Mayweather is WAY overrated. Look at his record. Every elite fighter he’s ever been in there with was shot except Victor Ortiz (who was giving him problems until the whole thing melted down). De La Hoya was handling Mayweather with the jab. Mosley almost knocked him out. Cotto was winning that fight but gassed out because he’s shot. Everybody else Mayweather has faced was a bum. Guerrero is young, fresh and motivated. I don’t think he’s going to let Mayweather get in his head or be overwhelmed by the moment. The Ghost by decision.
Shiflett has taken a lot of flak for his comments on Twitter, but he has stuck to his guns and defended the notion that Mayweather isn't as good as many believe.
It can certainly be argued that Shiflett is wrong, but it's nice to see someone outside the boxing business with some intriguing insight.
Terry Bradshaw (Hall of Fame NFL QB)
As a former NFL MVP and four-time Super Bowl Champion quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Terry Bradshaw knows a thing or two about winning. Whether or not he is a boxing fan is unclear, but that didn't stop Bradshaw from discussing Mayweather's prospects in Saturday's fight.
Mayweather is a proud fighter who wants to remain undefeated. He knows how to win big fights…and he won’t lose a fight in Vegas!
Mayweather has a lot of supporters, but receiving an endorsement from a Pro Football Hall of Famer has to feel pretty good. Few guys were better in big games than Bradshaw and Mayweather is seeking to prove that he is the best when it comes to big fights.
Follow @MikeChiari on Twitter
Read more Boxing news on BleacherReport.com
0 comments:
Post a Comment