From the Back Pages, May 1: Floyd Mayweather is like Chelsea: Frank Warren looks ahead to Mayweather’s fight with Manny Pacquiao

By Frank Warren. Some say Floyd Mayweather Jr is the Chelsea of boxing. He can be sometimes negatively effective, a purist though not always a crowd pleaser - he constantly delivers record pay-per-view numbers in the US and has topped Forbes Magazine’s top-earning sportsmen list for the past four years - but like Jose Mourinho’s men he relentlessly grinds out results.. .and as an Arsenal fan it pains me to say that. (The Independent)

The psychological gamesmanship underpinning Saturday’s hotly anticipated fight between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao began years before it was made, with public disputes over drug testing, purse splits and promotional heft meant to impose a sense of dominance. The latest salvo came on Wednesday in the form of a protest over the protective cup Pacquiao plans to wear on Saturday night. Mayweather’s camp claimed that the full-grain leather cup rose above the Filipino’s navel, prompting an inspection by the Nevada Athletic Commission. (The Guuardian)

Nigel Pearson, the Leicester City manager, has denied claims that he is a “bully” after issuing an apology to a reporter he branded an “ostrich”. The 51-year-old admitted his error of judgment after an attack on Ian Baker, of the Wardles Agency, after the 3-1 defeat by Chelsea on Wednesday night. (The Times)

Belgian footballer Gregory Mertens has died in hospital, aged 24. The defender was given CPR after collapsing on the pitch during a match for Lokeren’s reserves on Monday, and has been in an induced coma on a life support machine in hospital. (The Mirror)

Arsenal are ready to challenge Manchester United for the signature of Ilkay Gundogan after the midfielder confirmed he will not be signing a new contract at Borussia Dortmund. (The Telegraph)

Manchester United in danger of losing hot shot Angelo Henriquez, who is starring on-loan at Dinamo Zagreb... as Juventus look to seal another steallike Paul Pogba. (Daily Mail)

LIVERPOOL have been told to hire someone with experience to help Brendan Rodgers out, rather than sack him, by Kenny Dalglish’s son. (The The Express)