Boxing News: George Foreman Says Sport Was Invented For The Underdog, Sees Manny Pacquiao Win Over Floyd Mayweather Jr. On Saturday

Just a few days after boxing great Sugar Ray Leonard declared that he is rooting for Manny Pacquiao in the super fight against Floyd Mayweather Jr. on Saturday, another former boxing champion in George Foreman is doing the same saying that the sport of boxing was “invented” for underdogs like Pacquiao and that he predicts a victory for the Filipino pugilist over the undefeated American.

In an interview with philboxing.com., Foreman shared his thoughts on the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, billed by many as the “Fight of the Century”, which the former boxing champion as something boxing and boxing fans deserve.

“That’s true… [Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s] got everything to lose. But boxing was invented for the underdog – for the smaller guy who doesn’t have a chance – to come up with a way to beat the bigger, stronger guy,” Foreman shared when asked of his pick for the Mayweather-Pacquiao tilt. “That’s why I give it to Pacquiao. The sport was invented… for the lesser.”

Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 knockouts), who is a former eight-division champion, opened as a 3-to-1 underdog in the betting lines when the official announcement of the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight was made in February. Days before the highly anticipated bout, Pacquiao is still the underdog against Mayweather Jr. in all of the betting lines and now priced at around 2.5-to-1 or 2-to-1.

Mayweather Jr. (47-0-0, 26 knockouts), remains the favourite in the bout and it’s expected that it stays that way in the betting lines when it closes come fight night.

Foreman (76-5-0, 68 knockouts), who was a two-time world heavyweight champion, had a long and illustrious boxing career and was involved in big fights during his prime. Foreman faced boxing greats like Muhammad Ali, Ken Norton, Joe Frazier and Evander Holyfield, among many others. Foreman, who also won a gold medal in the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico, became an author, businessman and boxing analyst post-retirement.

While Foreman is predicting a Pacquiao win over Mayweather Jr. this Saturday, the former heavyweight champion is just happy that the fans get to see what they have been demanding for years.

“I’m just happy the fight is happening, and it’s happening right now. Because everyone will get a chance to see what they wanted to see,” Foreman added in the interview.

The Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is scheduled to take place this Saturday, May 2, at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

To contact author of this article, email j.quizon@IBTimes.com.au.