De La Hoya: Easy for Pac-Man

Golden Boy predicts Pretty Boy would be too much for Pac-Man

Last updated: 13th March 2010   Subscribe to RSS Feed

I believe Mayweather is the best boxer, purist boxer, in the sport today. He fights to survive, which is the most dangerous boxer out there

Oscar De La Hoya
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Oscar De La Hoya believes Manny Pacquiao will have an "easy time" of it against Joshua Clottey this weekend - but is not so sure the Filipino can beat Floyd Mayweather Jnr if the two modern greats ever meet in the ring.

Pac-Man puts his WBO welterweight title on the line on Saturday when he takes on Clottey at Cowboys Stadium in Texas, live on Sky Sports.

While some are predicting the tough Ghanaian may prove a handful, De La Hoya feels the defending champion will comfortably retain his belt.

In an exclusive interview on Sky Sports News, De La Hoya - who has not fought since losing to Pacquiao back in December of 2008 - explained how Clottey's defensive technique will play right into his opponent's hands.

Easy fight

"I think Manny Pacquiao will have an easy time with Joshua Clottey," he predicted.

"Styles make fights, and his (Clottey's) defence is one where he blocks punches, then he has to bring his hands down to look at you and then throw punches.

"Manny is too fast to stay there in the pocket and receive punches. I believe he will hit him then move side-to-side.

"Clottey will look for him, but he's not going to be there. He (Pacquiao) is going to do the same thing for 12 rounds.

"It's probably going to be an easy fight for him."

Pacquiao had originally been set to face Floyd Mayweather Jnr in a money-spinning showdown between the two biggest names in the sport.

However a dispute over pre-fight drug testing led to negotiations between the two parties collapsing, forcing both boxers to find new opponents.

Mayweather will instead take on Shane Mosley in May and De La Hoya - now a promoter - fears the bout with Pacquiao may never now go ahead.

"I'm having my doubts now because Floyd Mayweather Jnr is fighting Shane Mosley, and the interesting part about that fight is that Sugar Shane has the bets shot at beating Floyd Mayweather," he said.

"I've faced both guys and I have to say that there is going to be a knockout in that fight - and it's not going to be pretty.

"I believe Mayweather is the best boxer, purist boxer, in the sport today. He fights to survive, which is the most dangerous boxer out there."

True great

Asked whether Pacquiao has to beat Mayweather to be considered a true great of the sport, De La Hoya replied: "I believe so.

"I believe he's now a true great in the sport but there are a couple of question marks, as there is in every fighters' life, but I believe if Manny Pacquiao beats a Floyd Mayweather Jnr, if that fight happens, then you can obviously consider him as one of the best in the history of the sport."

And what about a winner in what would be, according to De La Hoya, one of the top five fights of all time? "I would have to say Floyd Mayweather, because of styles," the American added.

"I believe Pacquiao would come in, try to get his punches in and be very aggressive. But that plays into Mayweather's hands.

"He's such a defensive, purist boxer. The best there ever has been. He waits for you to make mistakes and then capitalises."

Comments (9)

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Lee Toops says...

Have to disagree with Oscar's assertion: that Mayweather fights to survive, for it rather describes Pacquiao than it does Mayweather. What I do agree with however is that Mayweather is the finest example of boxer in today's boxing climate, whereas Pacquiao fights to survive and with great heart.

Posted 19:41 13th March 2010

Conway Cummings says...

I believe mayweather is da best fighter there is in the world and it wud plz me more to see him take on manny, to me that wud be the fight of the century,it wud prove who the best pound 4 pound boxer of all time since bak in the days of ali.

Posted 15:46 13th March 2010

Cris Ryan says...

Oscar could have beaten Floyd if he followed the fight plan made by Freddie Roach,he was clearly winning the early rounds then when the middle rounds came he stopped jabbing and only threw occasional punches and then floyd started to take over. That would not be the case for Pacquiao coz he will be there form start to finish throwing punches and bunches. He will match floyd speed and will throw his punches from different angles with blinding speed.. It will be a difficult fight but i think Pacquiao will prevail..

Posted 06:49 13th March 2010

Archie Aguilar says...

we will see when they meet in the ring....they have different skills as boxers...manny and floyd... it will be a mind game for both of them...

Posted 03:05 13th March 2010

Onggod Ramirez says...

If Manny Pacquiao v Floyd Mayweather fight go through. I predict that Mayweather will be sleeping (tko) in between round 9 to 12. Pacquiao have the speed,power,defense and tko instinct. Mayweather only got defense (punch then run,punch then run and wait for counter) it's boring!!!!!I think Mayweather knows that he will be beaten by the Pacman that is why he invented some excuses to avoid Pacman.

Posted 03:00 13th March 2010

Scott Wyllie says...

Oscar is bang on. Pacman should beat Clottey as long as hes at the top of his game but if he fights Mayweather he will probably get beat as Mayweather has the best defensive tactics ever known to boxing.

Posted 00:44 13th March 2010

Ed Roa says...

Dela Hoya is just being consistent with the spin coming form their camp that Clottey is a pushover. It makes the Pacquiao-Clottey fight less challenging and exciting so that boxing fans' enthusiasm will be lessened.

Posted 00:06 13th March 2010

Wesley Hickson says...

I'am right behind the golden boy! I think if pacquiao and mayweather fight It would be a easy fight for floyd! He would out point the pacman all day long!

Posted 22:15 12th March 2010

Evans Gyekye says...

Clottey will definitely stop the Pac-man train come saturday even though Clottey starts as underdog.

Posted 21:27 12th March 2010
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