Full Mayweather-Pacquiao coverage

When boxing was an essential sport, Mark Breland was an essential boxer. The amateur nonpareil, Breland is the only fighter to win five straight Golden Gloves titles and an Olympic gold medal (in 1984). The Brooklyn native was part of perhaps the best Olympic team ever, a camp that included Meldrick Taylor, Pernell Whitaker and Evander Holyfield.

Breland entered the pros with a record of 110-1. He then won the welterweight belt twice and retired at 34, with a professional mark of 37-3. The laconic, iconic fighter is one of the few who left the sport well-liked and well-heeled, eschewing the rock-star spending habits of most boxers. Breland enjoys the rare, twin-virtues of a healthy mind and robust checking account.

Breland now trains the newly minted heavyweight champion, Deontay Wilder, shuttling from NYC to Alabama to work with the 6' 7" knockout artist. Breland spent some time on the phone with CBSsports.com to dissect the megafight between Floyd Mayweather Jr and Manny Pacquiao.

Jason Keidel, CBSSports.com: Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr are fighting.

Breland: I heard about that.

CBSSports.com: Do you think it's five years too late?

Breland: No. They have enough left to make a great fight. They both got old at the same pace, but they can still bring it.

CBSSports.com: What does Mayweather need to do to win?

Breland: More than he's done lately. He can't just jab his way through this one. He's gotta open up more, maybe double his recent punch count. And he's got to throw combinations. Follow that jab with something sharp.

CBSSports.com: Does anything stand out beyond strategy?

Breland: The referee. The amount of freedom he gives Pacquiao goes a long way into deciding who wins.

CBSSports.com: Can you be more specific?

Breland: If Floyd can punch, clinch, and bounce, then he can frustrate Manny and keep his power under control. If the referee keeps a decent space between the fighters, then Manny can keep the pressure on Floyd.

CBSSports.com: Does Pacquiao's southpaw part matter?

Breland: I've heard Floyd has problems with southpaws. But he won't win or lose because Manny is left-handed. As long as he keeps moving. He can't do the rope-a-dope with Manny Pacquiao, like he's done with recent fighters.

CBSSports.com: What does Pacquiao have to do to win?

Breland: Work him. Throw as many punches as possible. Even shots on the arms and elbows will take a toll down the road.

CBSSports.com: What do you think will happen?

Breland: Floyd will pull away late, once he can weather the Pacquiao storm, Manny will become frustrated. Maybe reckless. That's when Floyd always has his guy.

CBSSports.com: So Mayweather wins the fight?

Breland: Yeah.

CBSSports.com: How many rounds does he win?

Breland: I'll say eight rounds.

CBSSports.com: Would that cement his legacy?

Breland: Almost. I want to see him break Marciano's record (49-0 to Mayweather's 47-0). Then he can retire.

The hype for Mayweather-Pacquiao is getting bigger by the day. (Showtime)
The hype for Mayweather-Pacquiao is getting bigger by the day. (Showtime)