The 12-round, non-title bout is scheduled Sept. 10 at the Staples Center in downtown Los Angeles, and Boxing Times, based on ring records and in-depth analysis, has picked the Filipino as the clear favorite.
In a Sept. 2 article placed on the internet, Boxing Times said Pacquiao’s speed and power will be the major factor in the match and that Velasquez, despite his durability, won’t last the distance.
"This fight should be interesting as long as it lasts.
We look for Velazquez to be forced to trade punches while Pacquiao tries to cut off the ring and deliver heavy artillery," Boxing Times said.
"Don’t be surprised to see low blows and one or both guys cut from accidental headbutts. Nevertheless, Pacquiao’s speed and power will eventually catch up with Velazquez.
"We expect the Filipino star to end matters via a TKO by the sixth round," said Boxing Times, which added that while Velazquez is tough, the Mexican lacks the skill to match up with Pacquiao.
Boxing Times talking of low blows and accidental headbutts, however, is no good news for Team Pacquiao as it enters the final phase of the preparations for the upcoming fight.
Pacquiao suffered a nasty cut on his right eyebrow in the fifth round of his classic 12-round battle with Mexico’s Erik Morales at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas last March.
While it looked like a headbutt, the referee ruled it as a clear punch. Deeply bothered by the cut, Pacquiao went on to lose a gallant fight aired on pay-per-view.
Against Velazquez, Pacquiao can’t afford a similar accident as he looks forward to a great rematch with Morales probably early next year. If possible, Pacquiao should get over Velasquez scratchless.
Morales fights Olympian Zahir Raheem in another super-featherweight match on the same night at Staples Center where the card dubbed "Double Trouble" is bound to happen.