Donaire favors Pacquiao over Mayweather

Ryan Songalia

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Donaire favors Pacquiao over Mayweather
Donaire Jr says that 'Mayweather has never even come close to fighting somebody as fast, and as strong' as Manny Pacquiao

MANILA, Philippines – Nonito Donaire Jr, the 4-division champion who alongside Manny Pacquiao carried Philippine boxing to a golden era, is picking his compatriot to beat Floyd Mayweather Jr on May 2 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

Donaire (33-3, 21 knockouts), who is in the Philippines preparing for his March 28 bout with Brazilian William Prado (22-4-1, 15 KOs) at Araneta Coliseum, tells Rappler that he thinks the 36-year-old from General Santos City, Philippines has the right style to pull off the upset in the biggest fight of this century. 

“Well, the thing is Manny has never fought the likes of Mayweather, you know? But Mayweather has never even come close to fighting somebody as fast, and as strong, and has different angles and awkwardness as Manny Pacquiao. And I do believe Manny has the ability to defeat him,” says Donaire.

Donaire’s father/trainer Nonito Sr says that Pacquiao’s foot speed will be his greatest asset when they meet. 

“Manny’s legs make you confused. He steps in, comes back then suddenly throw a right hook and an uppercut and come back with a combination. Once you put down your head, three punches are coming more. His punches are really unpredictable,” says Donaire Sr.

Donaire Sr, who is from Pacquiao’s hometown of General Santos City, thinks that Mayweather would be making a mistake if he laid on the ropes and counterpunched the way he did in his last two fights against Marcos Maidana. 

“It’s going to be a big mistake for him if he goes to the ropes,” says Donaire Sr.

“Maidana is throwing a lot of bombs but easy to block that because he’s not like Manny Pacquiao, who throws a lot of punches that are in any direction. Maybe not hard, but if you get hit with the small gloves, it hurts.” – Rappler.com

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