Ronnie Shields
IN PHOTO: Heavyweight boxer David Tua of Auckland, New Zealand, works on his timing with trainer Ronnie Shields during a workout at the Mandalay Bay Events Center November 7, 2000 in Las Vegas. Tua faces WBC/IBF heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis of England November 11 at the events center. REUTERS

Former professional boxer and now boxing trainer Ronnie Shields thinks that Floyd Mayweather will win over Manny Pacquiao in May in Las Vegas because of the undefeated American’s ring savvy and intelligence in the ring.

“I give the edge to Floyd Mayweather for the simple reason that Floyd has never lost before. Floyd knows how to win, he knows how to pull out victories,” Shields said to ontheropesboxing.com. “Pacquiao, he knows how to lose, but Floyd is a very intelligent fighter and when you look at it, he picks you off very quickly and once he does that, he’s very difficult guy to fight.”

While Shields is clear with his pick in the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight, the veteran boxing trainer stated that he sees a close fight and that neither fighter will be dominating the other in the much-awaited bout. He also added that the fight will not see a knockout because of Mayweather’s defence and because Mayweather does not have the power to KO Pacquiao.

“Everyone in boxing knows Floyd has bad hands, but at the same time, when he hits you, he can sting you but he knows how to put combinations together that really take effect,” Shields added in the interview. “Once Floyd gets the judges to really watch him land solid punches then I just think that Manny is not going to be able to overcome it.”

Shields, who won the World Boxing Hall of Fame’s Trainer of the Year award in 2003, is one of the most respected boxing trainers in the sport having handled the likes of Mike Tyson, David Tua, Evander Holyfield, Pernell Whitaker, Arturo Gatti, Guillermo Rigondeaux, Jesse James Leija plus others in the past. Currently, Shields handles fighters Artur Szpilka, Erislandy Lara, Brian Vera, Edwin Rodríguez and Mike Lee among others.

The Mayweather-Pacquiao bout will be for the World welterweight titles for various boxing organisations including the World Boxing Council, World Boxing Organization and World Boxing Association.The Mayweather-Pacquiao fight is scheduled on May 2, 2015 at the MGM Grand Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Email j.gloria@IBTimes.com.au to contact author.

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