FILIPINO promoters are confident that Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao will continue his winning streak and hand the flamboyant American superstar Floyd Mayweather Jr. his first loss when the world’s top two boxers face each other on March 13.
In that much anticipated war, two of the top Filipino promoters, ALA Promotions president Michael Aldeguer and SGG Promotions big boss Sammy Gello-ani are optimistic that Pacquiao will come out victorious in his upcoming fight with Mayweather.
“At first I was scared of Manny fighting Mayweather because of what Mayweather did to Marquez but after watching Manny and (Miguel) Cotto I believe that Manny has a huge chance of winning. The fight may go the full distance and Manny will win by decision,” Aldeguer told Sun.Star Cebu yesterday.
“Manny has already proven that he can overcome any obstacle along the way,” said Gello-ani. “It will be a big fight and I think it will be a hard fight for Mayweather.”
The 30-year-old Pacquiao stopped Miguel Cotto in the 12th round of their fight last Nov. 14 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
He also defeated former World Boxing Council lightweight champion David Diaz, six-division world champion Oscar de la Hoya and light welterweight king Ricky Hatton in his abrupt rise in weight.
The 32-year-old Mayweather has one of the best counterpunches and one of the best defenses in boxing today.
However, both Aldeguer and Gello-ani feel that Pacquiao will break through his world-renowned defense.
“He can see a way to counter Mayweather’s style,” said Gello-ani.
“He may be the best defensive fighter but Manny is the best offensive fighter and offense wins fights,” said Aldeguer.
Aldeguer believes that Pacquiao is already a legitimate welterweight and he can take the heavy bombs of Mayweather because Pacquiao already withstood the beating of one of the hardest punchers in the 147-pound category, Cotto.
“Manny proved that he can punch and can take a punch,” said Aldeguer. “Cotto hits harder than Mayweather.”
