'Pacman to have tough fight vs Golden Boy'
abs-cbnNEWS.com | 09/16/2008 4:52 PM
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If you ask Steve Forbes, Filipino boxing idol Manny Pacquiao could have a "very hard time" beating international superstar Oscar de la Hoya.
Forbes, the boxer who last fought the "Golden Boy”, said de la Hoya is still a tough nut to crack and it will take a real strategic and patient fight plan for Pacquiao to upset the Mexican-American.
“I think he can still pull the trigger. He still has punching power. I mean, one year ago he fought a split decision against Floyd Mayweather,” Forbes told Manila-based sports analyst Dennis Principe. “Nobody has ever done that. He took a year off and then he fought me. It’s not like he took any abuse. He fought more relax in the later rounds.”
Two-time world champion Forbes lost to de la Hoya via unanimous decision in May.
On Pacquiao’s weight issues, Forbes said normally a fighter takes one bout to get a feel of another division, something which the Filipino will not do in fighting de la Hoya at 147.
“Yeah, very difficult I think because Manny never had one fight at above 135 pounds, I would say if he had a couple of fights maybe 144, then I would say he probably would feel really comfortable but I’m just anxious,” said Forbes
“Without having one fight at least with a bigger stronger guy, I think it’s going to be tough. Really tough. I just want to see how is he going to do.”
Though Forbes credited Pacquiao for his achievements, the former “Contender” contestant believes de la Hoya’s power and experience fighting in the welterweight division will come about in the end.
“Manny is a great fighter, definitely a hall-of-fame fighter but I just think it’s going to be really tough in there with Oscar. I gotta favor the bigger, stronger guy. I think the early rounds will be the key,” added Forbes.
“If Manny can keep moving very fast, jumping in and out he can give Oscar a lot of problems and then score. But Oscar, fifth round or so, he’s just been a strong puncher. He may be too big and too strong for Manny Pacquiao in the middle of the fight."
