MANILA, Philippines ? Former two-time world champion Gerry Pe?alosa believes his compadre, boxing superstar Manny Pacquiao, has the right tools to upset the size advantage of Mexico?s Antonio Margarito.
?Team Pacquiao predicts knockout win in less than 8 rounds… but I will not be surprised if Manny can make it in the earlier rounds,? said the now retired boxer Pe?alosa in his Philboxing.com column ?Fearless?.
Pe?alosa went to Los Angeles to check Pacquiao?s training at Freddie Roach?s Wild Card Gym.
Pacquiao is wrapping up his camp in LA before going to Texas for his super welterweight bout with Margarito next week. (Click here for related story)
?I am too happy and content to see my good friend Manny in top shape,? said Pe?alosa.
The former boxer said his friend displayed his usual and even faster hand speed, power and footwork.
Pe?alosa said these attributes will help Pacquiao make it through Margarito?s reach advantage.
The 5?11? Mexican, nicknamed as Tijuana Tornado, enjoys a 5-inch height advantage against the 5?6? Pacquiao. The disparity in height means a 6-inch longer reach for Margarito.
Pe?alosa added that Pacquiao?s team, composed of Freddie Roach, Nonoy Neri, Buboy and Blas Fernandez, Joe Ramos, Jojo Sta. Maria, Mike Koncz and Alex Ariza, has lent valuable help in his friend?s training.
?These people play a great and important role in Manny’s camp,? he said.
Pe?alosa, arguably the best technical boxer that ever came from the Philippines, was the World Boxing Council (WBC) super flyweight and the World Boxing Organization (WBO) bantamweight champion.
He decided to leave professional boxing at the age of 38, finishing his 21-year career with a pro record of 55 wins (37 knockouts), 8 losses and 2 draws. (Click here for related story)
Pe?alosa urged Pacquiao?s fans, especially his fellow Filipinos, to pray for their idol?s victory.
?Sa lahat ng mga Madlang People na mga Pilipino – ipagdasal natin ang tagumpay ni Manny – tagumpay nating Pilipino. Mabuhay!? he wrote.
