Oscar De La Hoya backs Pacquiao to beat Mayweather on May 2 but warns Filipino about referee

Speaking at the Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club on Thursday, Oscar De La Hoya offered what he thought could be Manny Pacquiao's winning strategy for the Floyd Mayweather megafight.

Manny Pacquiao is seen during a work out in front of the public on April 21 ahead of his May 2 fight against Floyd Mayweather. Frederic J Brown / AFP

DUBAI // Oscar De La Hoya says Manny Pacquiao holds a slight advantage in next month’s money-spinning bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr, although he warned the appointment of Kenny Bayless as referee will play into the American’s hands.

The May 2 event at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, dubbed the “fight of the century”, pits against one another who many perceive to be the two best pound-for-pound boxers in the world, with Mayweather Jr’s defensive style in complete contrast to Pacquiao’s power punching.

Five fights into his US$250 million (Dh918m), six-bout deal with Showtime, Mayweather Jr remains undefeated, with a record that thus far reads 47-0. Pacquiao, a world champion in eight different divisions, has been beaten five times in 64 fights. His overall record stands at 64-5-2.

De La Hoya knows the combatants better than most, having shared a ring with both during the latter stages of his career. In 2007, he lost to Mayweather Jr on a split decision, while the following year Pacquiao triumphed by TKO.

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Speaking Thursday at the Icons Cup, a celebrity golf event in Dubai, De La Hoya said Pacquiao's aggressive style meant he possessed an edge over his opponent. However, he added that the Filipino must take the fight to Mayweather early if he is to have any chance of victory.

“Pacquiao has to win the first two or three rounds, because it’ll make Mayweather have to come from behind and he’ll have to start to pressure Pacquiao, to be the aggressor, and Mayweather doesn’t like to be the aggressor.

“So if Pacquiao can start well the first two rounds, the fight can go in his direction.

“The one fighter to make it an exciting fight is going to be Pacquiao. He has to go in with a lot of combinations, a lot of footwork, which he has. And I hear he’s in tremendous, tremendous shape.

“With Mayweather, we’re going to see the same thing he does in every fight, which is box, win the rounds one at a time. I don’t see Mayweather trying to knock out Pacquiao, but I can see Pacquiao trying to knock out Mayweather. In this sport one punch can change everything — I’m going to have to give Pacquiao the advantage.”

De La Hoya, himself a world champion in six weight divisions and formerly recognised as the planet’s best pound-for-pound boxer, did have a note of caution for Pacquiao, though.

Bayless’s election as referee has added another layer of intrigue, given the veteran official has always been quick to break up boxers — a tactic that would favour Mayweather Jr. Bayless has previously worked five of Mayweather Jr’s fights and seven of Pacquiao’s.

“History shows that Kenny Bayless protects Mayweather,” De La Hoya said. “Pacquiao is now up against two guys in the ring instead of one. So I’d have to say Pacquiao is already one point behind and the fight hasn’t even started.

“It’s surprising to me, given the history. But it’s Vegas, it’s Mayweather’s hometown and they’re going to obviously do what’s best for him.”

The fight, expected to generate $400m, is set to become the richest in boxing history. It has been five years in the making, with Mayweather Jr and Pacquiao regularly failing to agree on a number of terms, including the purse. De La Hoya, though, now a successful promoter in his own right, believes the delay will make for a more compelling contest. It could also benefit Mayweather, he said.

“You can say that because Pacquiao has been in tougher fights, has been knocked out, has been in the wars throughout his career, so there’s a bit more wear and tear in his body,” De La Hoya said. “But I feel this fight taking place now and not five years ago is going to be more exciting because Mayweather’s legs aren’t the same.

“He’s going to probably stay more stationary in front of Pacquiao and therefore Pacquiao’s going to have a better chance at landing his punches. My head goes with Mayweather and my heart’s with Pacquiao.

“I just think it’s going to be a great fight. But I do give Pacquiao a good shot at surprising Mayweather.”

With Mayweather Jr aged 38 and Pacquiao 36, both fighters are approaching the end of their respective careers. Mayweather has another slot to fill on his Showtime contract — De La Hoya confirmed Saul ‘Canelo’ Alvarez, whom he promotes, wants a rematch — but some have suggested that, should Pacquiao lose on May 2, it would bring to a close his 20 years in the professional game.

Asked if either boxer should hang up their gloves if defeated, De La Hoya added: “It depends on them; I can’t say if they retire or not. Each fighter is their own individual, it’s their own career. Who am I to say if they should retire or not? It all depends on them. I can still see fight in Pacquiao and fight in Mayweather after this one.”

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