Mayweather can handle Pacquiao’s southpaw stance, says Hunter

MANILA, Philippines – Boxing coach Virgil Hunter believes that Floyd Mayweather Jr. would not struggle in handling Manny Pacquiao’s southpaw stance when both men collide in the ring on May 2 (May 3 in PH).

Mayweather has only battled eight left-handed fighters in his professional career, including DeMarcus “Chop Chop” Corley and Zab Judah, whom he tapped recently to be his sparring partners for his marquee match-up against Pacquiao.

Corley was able to stun Mayweather by landing a solid right in the fourth round of their May 2004 clash, while Judah took the unbeaten American boxer out of his comfort zone in the first four rounds with his relentless attacks when they faced each other in April 2006.

Hunter, a recipient of BWAA’s “Trainer of the Year” award in 2011, cited Mayweather’s in-ring meetings with Corley and Judah as prime examples of how he could find a way to pacify Pacquiao’s style.

“You’re talking about world-class southpaws at the time he fought Zab. He’s a world-class fighter with a lot of speed. ‘Chop Chop’ is a world-class fighter at that time. [When Mayweather faced them,] they were young, tough fighters,” he said in an interview with FightHype.com.

(READ: Berto: Odds favor Mayweather to win over Pacquiao)

Aside from being recognized for his distinct and effective brand of defensive guile, Mayweather is known for his ability to adjust to his opponent’s game plan during a fight.

The 38-year-old pugilist knocked down Corley twice in the bout before claiming a lopsided 12-round verdict, while he broke the bridge of Judah’s nose with a right hand in the fifth round and then eventually cruised to a unanimous decision victory.

“You can’t say that he struggled with them. Anytime, a guy wins nine out of 12 rounds that’s a shutdown. It’s not a struggle. You can honestly say that it took him a minute to figure it out,” Hunter noted.

Hunter chose not make any prediction on the long-awaited encounter, which takes place at the 16,800-seater MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

“I definitely will be looking at it from a coaching perspective and not a fan perspective. I don’t have favorite fighters. I don’t pick winners or losers. I just watch,” he disclosed. – Rappler.com