Duran says Pacquiao still dangerous

MANILA, Philippines - Boxing’s great stars past and present yesterday talked about Manny Pacquiao’s awaited return to the ring against Brandon Rios on Nov. 24 in Macau.

In a star-studded conference call, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard, Roberto Duran, Marco Antonio Barrera and Timothy Bradley shared their thoughts on the fight.

They agreed that the non-title fight at 147 lb, set at noon of Sunday (primetime Saturday in the United States), is going to be exciting, incredible and intriguing.

Bradley, who got away with a decision against Pacquiao in June last year, predicted a knockout win for the Filipino superstar inside eight rounds.

Bradley warned Rios that Pacquiao is “very quick and very elusive” and that every punch the latter throws is a “death blow” and “every shot is hard.”

To have a chance, Bradley said Rios must “get close, stay close and punch” against perhaps the quickest two-handed boxer ever to grace the sport.

Foreman sees a 12-round “home-region” decision for Pacquiao while Leonard expects the Filipino to win but “it’s not going to be an easy fight.”

Then Duran said Pacquiao is as dangerous as before.

The champion from Panama said Pacquaio may have been embarrassed with the knockout loss to Juan Manuel Marquez last December but it’s a thing of the past.