NEW YORK – Remember Angelo Dundee?
Well, the man who taught Muhammad Ali how to float like a butterfly and sting like a bee, is also – hold your breath – a certified Manny Pacquiao fan.
Dundee is so impressed with Pacquiao’s style, which he described as “different.”
And for Dundee, there’s nothing more to improve on Pacquiao’s defense and offense.
“There’s nothing to change or add to Pacquiao’s style,” said Dundee, his facial expressions revealing the look of utter astonishment early Sunday morning after he manned the corner of Notre Dame football team captain Tommy Zbikowski, who made his professional debut with a 49-second devastation of Robert Bell at Madison Square Garden.
“Pacquiao is an exciting fighter and you better be ready every time you get into the ring with him and he is a very good representative of the Philippines,” said Dundee.
“Pacquiao is a terrific fighter that if he gets you backing up, he’s got you,” said the 85-year-old Dundee, an entrant to the Hall of Fame.
Dundee was in the Philippines for a couple of weeks in 1975 when Ali rumbled with Joe Frazier in what came down as one of the most brutal bouts in boxing history.
“I had a great time while I was there and made lots of friends including the Elorde family,” said Dundee, who also called the shots in the corner of another legendary Ali impersonator, Sugar Ray Leonard.
“I also got the chance to meet (President) Ferdinand Marcos and his wife Imelda and made friends with plenty of wonderful people over there,” added Dundee.
