Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Manny Pacquiao would have had a different outcome if they fought in their prime. That's the opinion of Oscar De La Hoya, who faced both fighters during his career.
De La Hoya shared his thoughts in a recent interview with The Ring Magazine. The former champion with a glittering career believes Pacquiao would have come out on top.
"Pacquiao would have beat [Mayweather] easy, absolutely."
De La Hoya's reasoning? He points to Pacquiao's determination, conditioning, skill, power, speed, and footwork as key factors.
Mayweather and Pacquiao, two of the greatest fighters of their generation, finally met in the ring in 2015. The bout, dubbed 'The Fight Of The Century', took place in Las Vegas. Mayweather won by unanimous decision, retaining his WBC and WBA titles while also claiming Pacquiao's WBO world welterweight title.
Many fans and critics argued the fight happened a few years too late. Both fighters had won numerous world titles during their careers, cementing their places in boxing history.
Mayweather has since retired from boxing. Pacquiao, now 46, has also hung up his gloves but hasn't ruled out a potential return to the ring.
De La Hoya's opinion adds an interesting perspective to the ongoing debate about these two boxing legends. His experience facing both fighters in the ring gives weight to his assessment of their skills and potential outcomes in their prime.
