MANNY Pacquiao?s long-time adviser Mike Koncz believes that the reigning World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight champion doesn?t need a knockout to give Floyd Mayweather Jr. the very first defeat of his boxing career.
Koncz, who served as Pacquiao?s eyes and ears in the United States during the time when the mega bout was still in the negotiation process, said that the Pacquiao camp already has a strategy for the Mayweather fight.
?Manny [Pacquiao] doesn?t need to force himself to knockout Floyd and I truly believe that we can win also by decision. It [knockout win] is not necessarily needed,? Koncz, told The Manila Times in a phone interview on Tuesday. He just arrived in General Santos from the United States on Monday.
?We have a very good strategy as we prepare for the fight, but of course I cannot reveal it to anybody,? added Koncz. ?Manny also looks good in training. I see his determination. His condition is getting better each day.?
Koncz said that they would not focus on the judges when Pacquiao (57-5-2 win-loss-draw record with 38 knockouts) fights Mayweather (47-0 with 26 knockouts) on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
?Our focus is to win [the fight] and that?s Manny?s focus too. We?re not thinking of other things,? said Koncz, noting that Pacquiao?s hand speed, head and body movement will play a vital role in the fight against Mayweather who is known for his shoulder-roll defense strategy and counter-punching style.
?The training camp is also doing very well.?
Pacquiao?s business partner former world boxing champion Gerry Pe?alosa, however, thinks otherwise.
?Las Vegas is Mayweather?s territory and his manager Al Haymon is also influential there that?s why I?m thinking that Manny needs a convincing win,? Pe?alosa said. ?If the fight goes the distance, Mayweather has a very strong chance [of winning]. But I still believe Manny will win the fight.?
?Manny needs to work very hard in his power, speed and stamina to beat Mayweather, which I?m very confident is doable,? added Pe?alosa, a former WBO bantamweight and World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight champion.
Mayweather, who turned 38 on Tuesday, is the present WBC and World Boxing Association welterweight champion. His father Floyd Sr is training him.
Koncz also said that Pacquiao?s long-time coach Freddie Roach would come to Macau first to attend the fight of his Chinese ward Zou Shiming before flying to Los Angeles, California on March 8, to start Pacquiao?s training.
?We still have no any idea when we?ll leave [the Philippines] maybe a week or two since Coach Freddie will be coming from Macau,? Koncz said.
