Nats looking forward to Mayweather-Pacquiao
Players ready to watch championship fight; offer their predictions on who will win
NEW YORK -- On Saturday night, professional boxing will take center stage as Manny Pacquiao faces Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas. The two fighters will battle for the unified WBA (Super), WBC, WBO and The Ring welterweight titles.
Some of the Nationals' players are keeping their eyes on this fight. For example, left-hander Gio Gonzalez is rooting for both fighters.
"I love them both. The style to each one of them is unique," Gonzalez said. "No one speaks about how hard Mayweather trains. The way he trains is very impressive and fun to watch. The same thing goes for Pacquiao. These are two guys who are elite and on top because of how they train and how they go about their business."
While reliever Aaron Barrett is rooting for Pacquiao, he believes that Mayweather is going to win the fight.
"Mayweather talks a big game and he backs it up. He is obviously a good fighter," Barrett said. "Those guys are good fighters and I think it's going to be an excellent fight to watch."
Outfielder/first baseman Clint Robinson also believes Mayweather is going to win.
"You have seen every guy challenge him for so many years," Robinson said. "His defense is so impenetrable. He is just too hard to catch. He has been doing it for so long. He knows what it takes to win."
Robinson is happy to see boxing back in the forefront. He remembers his father throwing fight parties when Evander Holyfield, Riddick Bowe and Mike Tyson were fighting in the 1990s.
"It was fun to be a part of," Robinson said. "To see the fight that everyone wants to see for so long. It's good to see boxing in the spotlight a little bit."