By Edward Chaykovsky
Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya gave his take on the "speed vs. speed" battle between welterweight champions Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao.
De La Hoya, a five division world champion, faced both fighters in the tail end of his career. Mayweather won a close twelve round split decision over De La Hoya in 2007 and Pacquiao stopped him within eight rounds in 2008.
A few years ago, De La Hoya would tabbed Pacquiao as the quicker fighter, but he feels the Filipino star has slowed down since he faced him.
"It's different [kinds of] speed. Mayweather is a guy who times you. He'll throw a fast shot and boom. Mayweather will not throw a combination [of punches]. He's not that type of fighter. A three or four punch combination......he's not that type of fighter. Pacquiao is [that type of fighter]. He'll throw a four, five, six, seven punch combination and [throw it] fast. I would say, today, both guys might be the same. A few years ago, four or five years ago, I would have gone with Pacquiao. Both guys have slowed down a bit but both are still pretty quick. I would have to say they're even," De La Hoya said.
Talks are taking place to stage a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao fight on May 2nd at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
