‘Pacquiao will kick Mayweather’s ass,’ says Penalosa

MANILA, Philippines – The 65 professional bouts that Gerry Penalosa engaged in during his 21-year boxing career have done little to fade his memory.

Taking a sip from his hot chocolate on Monday afternoon, the retired two-time world champion recounts a story of the time Manny Pacquiao, a fighter whom he mentored from his earliest days, faced an uncertain situation.

Pacquiao was moving up two weight classes to face Oscar de la Hoya, the sport’s biggest non-heavyweight draw of the previous decade. De La Hoya, though several years from his prime, had several inches and height over the 5-foot-6 1/2 Pacquiao and had one of the most feared left hooks in the sport.

Philippine congressman Rufus Rodriguez even petitioned to bar Pacquiao from accepting the fight, saying “If something bad happens to Manny in that fight, it’s the government that would be blamed.” 

“I told Manny ‘keep your hands up at all times,’” Penalosa told Rappler on Monday afternoon, February 23.

Pacquiao, cooling down from a gym session at the Wild Card Gym in Los Angeles, flashed his trademark smile and reassured his friend of his preparedness: “Trust me, I will play with him.” 

That night was the last time Pacquiao had entered a fight as a betting underdog, and for eight rounds, Pacquiao did just as he promised.

The General Santos City, Philippines native was too fast and determined for De La Hoya. It was, as HBO commentator Larry Merchant described it that night, “Death by 1000 left hands.” 

De La Hoya retired on his stool that night and never fought again.

‘Trust me and I will let you see’

The gap in the betting line will likely shrink by the time Pacquiao steps into the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr. on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas, but for the moment Pacquiao remains anywhere from a 2 to 3-to-1 underdog in betting parlors.

And yet, just as was the case before he faced De La Hoya, Pacquiao is telling his friend that he will prove his detractors wrong. 

“I can see to his eyes that he’s excited. [Pacquiao] said, ‘Trust me, I know it’s hard, but trust me and I will let you see.’”

The underdog role has suited Pacquiao through his career, Penalosa relates. He points to Pacquiao’s first world title fight in 1998, when he faced WBC flyweight champion Chatchai Sasakul in Thailand. Sasakul had built his career by defeating Filipino boxers, including a second round knockout of Penalosa’s older brother Jonathan Penalosa.  

Pacquiao prevailed that night with an eighth round knockout. 

Pacquiao likewise had little issues with 3-to-1 favorite Marco Antonio Barrera in 2003, when he pummeled the Mexican legend into submission to become the featherweight champion. 

(RELATED: Pacquiao relishes underdog role vs Mayweather)

The 43-year-old Penalosa is convinced that a similar situation plays out when Pacquiao faces the unbeaten Mayweather. 

“Pacquiao will kick Mayweather’s ass for sure. He can’t handle Manny’s power, he’s very explosive,” said Penalosa. 

“[Pacquiao] is hungry. And that fight challenges him. Because people say…especially after he lost to Marquez…that Pacquiao is done.” 

Mayweather (47-0, 26 knockouts), who turns 38 today, February 24, says that he “forced” Pacquiao’s camp to accept the fight after five years of on-and-off negotiations.

Penalosa, however, thinks it was Mayweather who was coerced into the fight by the public, saying that Mayweather doesn’t think he can beat the 36-year-old Filipino.

“He has no choice. I think he was listening to his people say ‘Yeah, you can beat Manny.’ But deep down inside, Floyd is scared.” 

‘Mayweather can’t handle southpaws’

Penalosa, a left-handed fighter who won world titles at 115 and 118 pounds, thinks that Mayweather’s signature defensive posture – where he puts his left shoulder in front of his chin and parries punches away while countering – is not suited for a southpaw like Pacquiao (57-5-2, 38 KOs).

Prior to Mayweather’s 2004 bout against DeMarcus Corley, Merchant recalled how Mayweather’s father Floyd Sr. phoned his uncles from prison to tell them to never match him with a southpaw after he struggled in his second pro bout against unheralded upstart Reggie Sanders.

Mayweather has beaten six southpaws to date, but was staggered in his decision wins over lefties Corley and Zab Judah.

“I don’t think Mayweather’s style can give a hard time for Manny. It’s Manny’s style that will be difficult to adjust for Mayweather’s corner, especially in-between rounds. I am sure because Mayweather can’t handle southpaw, Manny’s punching power, and the volume power.

“Assuming that [Pacquiao] is at 200 percent in shape, in late rounds Manny can stop Mayweather.”

Penalosa disagreed with Mayweather Sr.’s assertion that body punching is the key to defeating Pacquiao, saying that Mayweather would open himself up to Pacquiao’s power punches if he came close enough. What he concurs with Floyd Sr. about is the danger from his straight right hands, but doesn’t think Mayweather’s power can affect Pacquiao.

“I don’t think he can hurt Manny. If ever, Manny will just eat that because Manny is so hungry this time.”

While Pacquiao, a devout Christian, asks his friends not to gamble when he fights in Vegas, Penalosa says he’ll be putting his money where his mouth is with a bet on his friend. 

– Rappler.com

Ryan Songalia is the sports editor of Rappler, a member of the Boxing Writers Association of America (BWAA) and a contributor to The Ring magazine. He can be reached at ryan.songalia@rappler.com. Follow him on Twitter: @RyanSongalia.