Money will take Manny out' - the football world predicts Mayweather Vs Pacquiao fight

Who would you be rooting for? As all football followers know, Chelsea are on the verge of winning the Premier League and Juventus are poised to claim their fourth successive Scudetto, but those are not the only major titles on the line in the sporting world this weekend.

Indeed, on Saturday, Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquaio will go toe-to-toe in Las Vegas for the WBC, WBA and WBO welterweight titles in the richest bout in boxing history.

The eagerly-awaited showdown at the MGM Grand has transcended the fight game, as evidenced by the fact that even football's finest are talking about Money's meeting with Pac-Man in Nevada.

The undefeated Mayweather is the clear favourite with the bookmakers but Manchester United and England defender Chris Smalling is expecting eight-weight world champion Pacquaio to put up a serious fight.

“I have to go for Mayweather," the centre-half told Fifa. "I think it could go the distance and be won on points. It will be a lot closer than people think, but Mayweather will be too sharp and too quick.”

Manchester City ace Pablo Zabaleta also thinks that the American will prevail but he is making no secret of the fact that he would like to see 'Pretty Boy' lose for the first time in his professional career.

“I want Pacquiao to win because he's humble but I think Mayweather will win," the defender told his club's in-house TV channel.

Australia legend Tim Cahill is also rooting for Pacquaio but he too fears that the Filipino will not be good enough to end Mayweather's winning streak.

“I'm a massive fan of the Pac but I think Mayweather will take this one out," the 35-year-old attacking midfielder told Fifa. 

Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech is also backing 'Money' to come out on top but he expects the fight to go the distance.

“I think Mayweather will win on decision," the Czech Republic international told Fifa. "There will be no KO.”

That's a view shared by Inter forward Lukas Podolski, who added: "I think it goes 12 rounds."

Micah Richards, meanwhile, fully expects Mayweather to extend his winning streak to 48-0.

“I’m going for Mayweather simply because he's never been beat and I don’t believe he’d have taken the fight if he didn't think he could win!" the Fiorentina defender told Fifa.

But Italy international Domenico Criscito is desperately hoping that Pacquaio can upset the odds for the sake of two of his colleagues.

“I have two Filipino girls who work with me, so I'm rooting for Pacquiao!" the Zenit defender added.

However, Aleksandr Kolarov has jokingly admitted that he would prefer to see the two settle their differences outside of the ring!

“I don't like boxing," he confessed to Manchester City's TV channel. "I am for the love. We need love, not violence!"