The difference in weight, and not much about the boxing ability, will make it very difficult for Manny Pacquiao to cope with Oscar de la Hoya when they square off on Dec. 6 in Las Vegas.
This was the bold observation made by knockout artist Edwin Valero, who has always wanted to fight the Pinoy megastar but never fortunate enough to land the big, lucrative deal.
Valero, who has won all his 24 bouts by knockout, the first 18 coming in the first round, recently spoke to boxingtalk.com, and aired his views on the coming Pacquiao-De la Hoya bout.
He hinted that Pacquiao could be in trouble after six or seven rounds against De la Hoya.
?After about six or seven rounds of De la Hoya laying on him Pacquiao is going to be wearing his tongue as a (neck) tie,? said Valero, the flamboyant fighter from the Dominican Republic.
?It?s too much weight; Pacquiao is fighting at 135, maybe if he were at 140. And remember a boxer?s worst enemy is the scale, even a half a kilo – ooh – it?s a big deal,? he said.
Valero had hoped for the fight not to happen. ?Sincerely, not because I want a fight with Pacquiao, but I think you have to take in account the fans because they pay our salaries and that is too much difference in weight.
?Forget about boxing ability, and the people know, I?ve read many different articles on the subject on the Internet and the people who know the material criticize the situation,? he said.
While Pacquiao is quick with his hands and feet, Valero said De la Hoya is not that slow either.
?He (De la Hoya) looks as fast as a featherweight in the ring. And the only issue is with the weight; I don?t agree with it, it?s an exaggeration,? said Valero.
Last month, as the negotiations for the Pacquiao-De la Hoya fight began, the legendary Erik Morales said the Filipino superstar will have trouble against De la Hoya.
Like Valero, Morales said he?s afraid Pacquiao might lose steam by the middle rounds.
