Pacman and Salud Differ on Oscar-Floyd Outcome
By Emmanuel B. Villaruel
PhilBoxing.com
Sun, 29 Apr 2007
Pacquiao (R) gestures as Wakee listens. Pac made a quick trip to Cebu yesterday.
Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao and his confidant Rex "Wakee" Salud offered contrasting opinions with regards to the outcome of the Oscar de la Hoya-Floyd Mayweather superfight headlining "The World Awaits" card on May 5 (May 6 RP time) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.
In an exclusive interview with The Freeman yesterday, Pacquiao said he expects a very close encounter between the two legendary ring gladiators with De la Hoya emerging the victor by unanimous decision.
In sharp contrast, Salud said the only chance for De la Hoya to win is to floor Mayweather and that it's going to be "Pretty Boy Floyd" who will come out victorious if the bout would last the full 12-round distance.
"The only chance for De la Hoya to beat Mayweather is by knockout. If he can't, it's going to be Mayweather by decision," said Salud, a topnotch Cebuano boxing promoter.
But Pacquiao begged to disagree with the postulation of one of his most trusted advisers saying that "De la Hoya has only five percent chances of knocking out Mayweather."
"I'm for De la Hoya by decision. He is bigger and an excellent counter-puncher," said Pacquiao.
But when asked if the Golden Boy is capable of decking Mayweather, Pacman answered: "It's possible, but De la Hoya has only five percent chances of knocking out Mayweather because of their varied styles. De la Hoya is a counter-puncher, while
Mayweather is the type of boxer who loves to run around."
"Once he is able to throw one or two punches, Mayweather tends to back away from his foe and it's tough to confront him especially for a counter-puncher like De la Hoya," added the Pacman.
As for the Boholano sensation Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista, Pacquiao said the ALA Boxing Gym stalwart needs to score a decisive victory to prove he is one of the world-class fighters in his division.
Bautista will see action in the De la Hoya-Mayweather undercard against the similarly unbeaten Sergio Manuel Medina of Argentina in an official WBO super bantamweight eliminator. The winner will earn a mandatory shot at the WBO 122-pound crown currently held by Mexican Daniel Ponce de Leon.
Meanwhile, an interview with Pacquiao these days would not be complete without asking him about politics.
"I'm doing very well with my campaign. I just hope that the people in my hometown would give me a chance to serve them better for it is really my heart's desire," said the 27-year old congressional aspirant.
Pacquiao is challenging incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio for a congressional seat in the first district of South Cotabato in the upcoming May 14 elections.
Pacquiao took the opportunity of lashing back at his critics, who implied that a boxing icon with a mediocre educational background and no experience in lawmaking process is unfit to be at the Congress.
"Do they think that all the Congressmen are the ones making the law? What's the use of hiring consultants.
When I will be elected, it's not necessary that I'm the one who will do the job because I can hire a adviser to craft a certain law which I think for the general welfare and for the best interest of my constituents," said Pacquiao.
If ever he will be elected, Pacquiao said his priorities are housing, education, employment, free medicine and health services and infrastructure projects for the development of South Cotabato.
When asked on his winning chances, Pacquiao replied in jest: "It's either way around. If I won't win, I lose."
Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel B. Villaruel.
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