By Rick Reeno

Golden Boy Promotions President Oscar De La Hoya admits that a few years ago he would have quickly picked Manny Pacquiao to defeat Floyd Mayweather Jr.

That is no longer the case. In the opinion of De La Hoya, Pacquiao's physical abilities gave declined quicker than Mayweather's - which De La Hoya attributes to the many tough fights which Pacquiao took part in.

De La Hoya faced both fighters in the ring, dropping a twelve round split decision to Mayweather in 2007 and then getting stopped by Pacquiao in eight rounds in 2008.

Even though he sides with Mayweather to get the win, De La Hoya says there is no question that Pacquiao is universally the more respected fighter. 

"It's one of those fights where anybody could win. Who would I give the edge to if it was today, I would have to go with Floyd. Three years ago, hands down it would have been Manny Pacquiao. But now I would go with Floyd. If he fights Pacquiao, then Floyd will erase all doubts that anybody might have," De La Hoya said.

"Yes [Pacquiao has aged more in the ring], absolutely. Why? Because he's been in wars. But, who has more respect which is going to live on forever - that's Manny Pacquiao. There is no doubt about that. With Manny Pacquiao, they are going to say 'wow, he fought all these guys, fought tough battles and gave us [all these fights].' Now it's a matter of what matters most."