by Ronnie Nathanielsz
American trainer Rick Staheli, who steered eight division world champion Manny Pacquiao to his first world title (the WBC flyweight crown in December 1998) believes Pacquiao has to take chances if he hopes to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr. in their mega-fight at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on May 2.
Staheli told BoxingScene.com/New Standard/Viva Sports he had no doubt that Pacquiao “is highly motivated and definitely has the desire but he must win by a knockout.”
To be able to achieve this Staheli believes Pacquiao is "going to have to take chances.”
He said Mayweather’s “motivation is the o he doesn’t want to go” because whoever wins will be considered “the greatest fighter of this generation.”
Staheli said Pacquiao “must get in Mayweather’s face and show a killer instinct” pointing out that Mayweather “doesn’t go for a KO.”
He said Mayweather has “a different mindset and defense is first. If Manny presses him he won’t like it.”
The American trainer advised Pacquiao to “keep throwing punches. Floyd isn’t used to that. Make him work. He doesn’t want to fight three minutes a round” even as he pointed out “Manny is used to that” but wondered whether at the age of 36 “can Pacquiao keep it up.”
Staheli remarked that if Pacquiao “goes in there and pressures him and throws a lot of punches” Mayweather will try to stand in the middle of the ring and fight at his pace
He said Pacquiao has “wanted this fight and both fighters are highly motivated and training at a high level.”
