MANILA, Philippines – Taimtim na pinanood ni Justin Fortune, ang strength and conditioning coach ni Manny Pacquiao, ang huling dalawang laban ni Floyd Mayweather, Jr. kontra kay Marcus Maidana ng Argentina.
Sa huli ay sinabi ni Fortune na malaki ang tsansa ng Filipino world eight-divison champion na makapagpatama ng kanyang mga suntok kay Mayweather sa kanilang mega showdown sa Mayo 2 sa MGM Grand sa Las Vegas, Nevada.
“In his last two fights Floyd has slowed down,” obserbasyon ni Fortune, isang dating professional boxer, sa panayam ng BoxingScene.com. “All you have to do is slow down a fraction (to be vulnerable) with someone like Pacquiao.”
Sa kanyang panoood ng mga laban ni Maywea-ther kay Maidana, nasilip ni Fortune ang kabagalan ng 38-anyos na American world five-division titlist.
Sinabi ni Fortune na kung ang isang mabagal na boksingerong katulad ni Maidana ay nakakatama kay Mayweather, mas lalo na ang mabilis at maliksing si Pacquiao.
“Against Maidana he looked ordinary. I think both fights were ordinary,” sabi ni Fortune kay Maywea-ther. “He definitely won, but if someone like Maidana is laying gloves on you then someone like Pacquiao is going to put a hell of a lot more leather down.”
Samantala, pinili naman si Ignacio Beristain, ang chief trainer ni Mexican boxing legend Juan Manuel Marquez, si Pacquiao kumpara kay Mayweather.
“Manny is a spectacular fighter who people pay to watch with delight,” ani Beristain. “Floyd is truly excellent, but his style is defensive, which isn’t attractive for many people.”
Noong Disyembre ng 2012 ay pinatulog ni Marquez si Pacquiao sa huling segundo ng sixth round sa kanilang ikaapat na paghaharap.
Ang bilis ni Pacquiao ang inaasahang magiging bentahe nito laban kay Mayweather. (RC)