Eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao has picked Floyd Mayweather Jr. over UFC champion Conor McGregor when they square off August 26 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada. In a television interview, Pacquiao said Mayweather has the advantage because the fight will be a boxing contest and not mixed martial arts (MMA) where McGregor excels. Earlier, UFC president Dana White said the bout will be a 12-round fight with both protagonists using 10-ounce gloves.
Earlier, Pacquiao’s promoter Bob Arum said the Filipino boxing champion-turned-senator is ready to step up and fight McGregor if Mayweather refuses.
Pacquiao is currently preparing for the defense of his World Boxing Organization (WBO) welterweight belt against Jeff Horn of Australia on July 2 at the 55,000-seater Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Australia.
Boxing promoters in Australia have asked for an exemption to increase seating capacity to 60,000 as they expect to break the record crowd of 58,912 who witnessed the Brisbane Broncos win the 1997 Super League title.
Closed-door training for Pacquiao
In a report by GMA News, Pacquiao’s camp said the Filipino boxing champion will hold his training behind closed doors in General Santos City. According to Pacquiao’s coach Buboy Fernandez, only members of Team Pacquiao, the boxer’s family, and select media are allowed to enter the facility.
Pacquiao’s camp said it has to control the crowd as his fans insist on watching Pacquiao train and ask for pictures.
Pacquiao not taking Horn lightly
According to Pacquiao’s coach Freddie Roach, Pacquiao is giving it all during their training and sparring sessions as they don’t take Horn lightly. In the early stages of his training, Pacquiao sparred with Filipino fighters Leonardo Doronio and Sonny Katiandagho and is scheduled to spar with Australian lightweight prospect George Kambosos Jr.
as he ramps up his training for his bout against Horn. “I cannot underestimate him,” said Pacquiao, who has a 59-6-2 win-loss-draw record with 38 knockouts. “We have to make sure we’re 100% conditioned for this fight.”
While Horn boasts a 16-0-1 win-loss-draw record with 11 knockouts), Kambosos said he’s still way behind Pacquiao in terms of boxing skills.
Kambosos believes that Horn will not last six rounds against the Filipino boxing champion. “I think Manny will knock Horn out within six rounds. He won’t last. He can’t get away from Manny’s shots,” said Kambosos.
