Philippines, 14 Feb 2026
  Home >> News

 


BOXERS

CURRENT CHAMPIONS 

FORMER CHAMPIONS   

RATINGS                       

NEWS           

FORUM        

FIGHT GALLERIES        

RING CARD GIRLS        


 
 
News  


Pacman and Salud Differ on Oscar-Floyd Outcome


PhilBoxing.com




Pacquiao (R) gestures as Wakee listens. Pac made a quick trip to Cebu yesterday.

Filipino ring superstar Manny Pacquiao and his confidant Rex "Wakee" Salud offered contrasting opinions with regards to the outcome of the Oscar de la Hoya-Floyd Mayweather superfight headlining "The World Awaits" card on May 5 (May 6 RP time) at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, Nevada.

In an exclusive interview with The Freeman yesterday, Pacquiao said he expects a very close encounter between the two legendary ring gladiators with De la Hoya emerging the victor by unanimous decision.

In sharp contrast, Salud said the only chance for De la Hoya to win is to floor Mayweather and that it's going to be "Pretty Boy Floyd" who will come out victorious if the bout would last the full 12-round distance.

"The only chance for De la Hoya to beat Mayweather is by knockout. If he can't, it's going to be Mayweather by decision," said Salud, a topnotch Cebuano boxing promoter.

But Pacquiao begged to disagree with the postulation of one of his most trusted advisers saying that "De la Hoya has only five percent chances of knocking out Mayweather."

"I'm for De la Hoya by decision. He is bigger and an excellent counter-puncher," said Pacquiao.

But when asked if the Golden Boy is capable of decking Mayweather, Pacman answered: "It's possible, but De la Hoya has only five percent chances of knocking out Mayweather because of their varied styles. De la Hoya is a counter-puncher, while
Mayweather is the type of boxer who loves to run around."

"Once he is able to throw one or two punches, Mayweather tends to back away from his foe and it's tough to confront him especially for a counter-puncher like De la Hoya," added the Pacman.

As for the Boholano sensation Rey "Boom Boom" Bautista, Pacquiao said the ALA Boxing Gym stalwart needs to score a decisive victory to prove he is one of the world-class fighters in his division.

Bautista will see action in the De la Hoya-Mayweather undercard against the similarly unbeaten Sergio Manuel Medina of Argentina in an official WBO super bantamweight eliminator. The winner will earn a mandatory shot at the WBO 122-pound crown currently held by Mexican Daniel Ponce de Leon.

Meanwhile, an interview with Pacquiao these days would not be complete without asking him about politics.

"I'm doing very well with my campaign. I just hope that the people in my hometown would give me a chance to serve them better for it is really my heart's desire," said the 27-year old congressional aspirant.

Pacquiao is challenging incumbent Rep. Darlene Antonino-Custodio for a congressional seat in the first district of South Cotabato in the upcoming May 14 elections.

Pacquiao took the opportunity of lashing back at his critics, who implied that a boxing icon with a mediocre educational background and no experience in lawmaking process is unfit to be at the Congress.

"Do they think that all the Congressmen are the ones making the law? What's the use of hiring consultants.

When I will be elected, it's not necessary that I'm the one who will do the job because I can hire a adviser to craft a certain law which I think for the general welfare and for the best interest of my constituents," said Pacquiao.

If ever he will be elected, Pacquiao said his priorities are housing, education, employment, free medicine and health services and infrastructure projects for the development of South Cotabato.

When asked on his winning chances, Pacquiao replied in jest: "It's either way around. If I won't win, I lose."


Click here to view a list of other articles written by Emmanuel B. Villaruel.


Recent PhilBoxing.com In-House articles:

  • Filipino Boxers Make Weight in Brico Santig's Valentine's Show in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Sat, 14 Feb 2026
  • Filipinos Vitor and Tapales Take on Russians for IBF Asia Titles in Moscow Today
    By Dong Secuya, , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Manny Pacquiao Promotions Returns to Pechanga Resort Casino in Temecula, Calif. with a Pair of World Championship Bouts
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • IOAN CROFT AND GARAN CROFT SIGN FOR MATCHROOM BOXING AS EDDIE HEARN LOOKS AHEAD TO BRIGHT FUTURE FOR EXCITING WELSH TWINS
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • 3 Division World Champion & Hall of Famer Marco Antonio Barrera Confirmed for Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo, During Cinco De Mayo Weekend, Saturday May 2, in Las Vegas
    , Fri, 13 Feb 2026
  • Day One Concludes at 2026 USA Boxing International Open
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Female Boxing GOAT Katie Taylor to be Special guest at All-N.E. Golden Gloves Thursday, Feb. 12, in Lowell, MA
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Brandon McCarthy Signs with Wise Owl Boxing, Set to Make Noise at 135 lbs
    , Thu, 12 Feb 2026
  • Filipino Boxers Set for Action on Valentine's Day in Thailand
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Oklahoma Outplays LA Lakers, 119-110; Arrests Skid to Hold on to League Lead
    By Teodoro Medina Reynoso, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Malaya Vibrations to play gig at 5th MFPI Mindanao Summit
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Fight of the Night in Thailand: Ador Torres and Sairike Tuolewutayi Battle to a Thrilling Draw
    By Carlos Costa, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Young Australian Benji Birchell Claims Title Win in Thailand
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • Tickets for the Inaugural “Mike Tyson Invitational” Amateur Fight Night on Saturday, March 14, in Las Vegas Are on Sale Now
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Men's Elite High Performance Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • IIEE, SAEP shared lead, PIChE won 3rd in a row in the PTC WED NEMO Chess
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • The Ninth Annual Box Fan Expo RETURNS! Saturday May 2, 2026 at the Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, NV
    , Wed, 11 Feb 2026
  • THE PAST WEEK IN ACTION 9 FEBRUARY 2026: Figueroa Stops Ball in 12; Medina Outpoints Curiel; Asanau, Unal Win in Montreal
    By Eric Armit, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Paradero gets a rematch against Francisco
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Carcedo wins WBA Asia South super welterweight title
    By Lito delos Reyes, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Shark attack in Florida Marco “El Tiburón” Romero Making waves on Feb. 19
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 19-1 Albanian heavyweight Kristian Prenga returns on February 21 to Atlantic City
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • 2026 USA Boxing Elite High Performance Women's Team and Squad Rosters Announced
    , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Filipino child prodigy Asher Judd Sy tops the 3rd King’s College Bangkok Chess Championship
    By Marlon Bernardino, , Tue, 10 Feb 2026
  • Chaos in Liverpool: Figueroa Silences Echo Arena with 12th-Round Fireworks
    By Dong Secuya, , Sun, 08 Feb 2026




  •  



     
    PhilBoxing.com has been created to support every aspiring
    Filipino boxer and the Philippine boxing scene in general.
    Please send comments to feedback@philboxing.com


    PRIVATE POLICY | LEGAL DISCLAIMER
    developed and maintained by dong secuya
    © 2026 philboxing.com.