Boxing News: Roberto Duran Believes Manny Pacquiao Will Win Bout Against Floyd Mayweather
With the chance of seeing Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather face-to-face inside the ring likelier than ever, boxing legend Roberto Duran shared his thoughts on what could possibly happen on fight night.
Like all boxing fans and enthusiasts, “Manos de Piedra,” as he was called, is also losing patience waiting for the bout to become a reality, indicating that the excitement has already tapered off due to the long delay.
“Well, that fight for me doesn't have the same enthusiasm it had before,” he told FightHype.com.
“But it has to be made because the whole world wants to see it. I don’t know of Pacquiao is scared or if Mayweather is scared. I don’t know what’s happening.”
“But that fight should have happened years ago, when there was more inspiration for it. There is still some but it’s not the same as before.”
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Both of the said boxers are already in their late 30s, which have naturally slowed them down. Pacquiao became more tame and relied on tactics more, as opposed to his former style of being an exciting slugger, while Mayweather had seemingly lost some punching speed, which is key to his defensive approach to the game.
“The people want to see the fight. Some are going for Mayweather and others are going for Pacquiao, but if you observe everything closely, it doesn’t have the same strength as before,” he continued.
The 63-year-old Panamanian, who was known for his punching power during his heydays, believes that the much-awaited clash will end with Pacaman as the victor, as the former seven-weight division holder easily dealt with opponents whom Mayweather had a difficulty with.
“I have always had thought Pacquiao would win…because ive studied Pacquiao’s fight as I have also Mayweather’s,” he added.
“Mayweather has had some trouble defeating some fighters and those same fighters who then fought the Filipino afterwards, the Filipino knocked them out quick and beat them quick. So I take away that conclusion.”
“Remember in life, anyone could be fooled. So they could fool me. But I think Pacquiao is going to beat him.”
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