LAS VEGAS – Boxing legend Roberto Duran is putting his money on Manny Pacquiao, but he advised the Filipino icon against going for a knockout against Timothy Bradley this Saturday (Sunday in Manila) to avoid falling into a trap.
The 64-year-old pride of Panama was present during Top Rank’s private dinner for the media Thursday (Friday in Manila) at a restaurant inside the MGM Grand, granting photo opportunities and shaking hands with those around.
When Duran settled down with daughter Irichelle beside him, Philstar.com/STAR seized the moment and asked his thoughts about the third fight between Pacquiao and Bradley.
“I think Pacquiao will win,” he told Philstar.com/STAR through Irichelle, who served as his translator.
“Pacquiao has more experience,” he added.
But for Pacquiao to emerge victorious, Duran thinks the Filipino icon should try to be patient and win on points.
“He needs to box Bradley, not to try to knock him out,” said the four-division (lightweight, welterweight, light middleweight and middleweight) champion.
Pacquiao has been saying that he prefers a knockout win this time, something he hasn’t done since 2009 when he stopped Miguel Cotto.
He was close to stopping Juan Manuel Marquez in their fourth meeting in 2012 until the Mexican caught him with a perfectly timed right straight.
According to Duran, it’s a mistake Pacquiao shouldn’t make against Bradley.
“Because Bradley’s gonna try to counter to knock him out. That’s why he needs his boxing,” he continued.
Asked who will win if Pacquiao fought when he was at his prime, the former fighter popularly known as “Hands of Stone” or “Manos de Piedra” gave a confident reply.
“The Stone. Don’t worry about me,” Duran said, flexing his left bicep.
How about Floyd Mayweather Jr., considered as the greatest boxer of his era and who often draws comparison with Duran’s archival and fellow great “Sugar” Ray Leonard?
“The Stone (still). They (Pacquiao and Mayweather) know nothing about boxing like I do,” he said.
Duran retired with a record of 103-16, with 70 knockouts. He was inducted into the Boxing Hall of Fame in October 2006, four years after he called it quits.
