Dubai: Manny Pacquiao will be up against two men in the ring on May 2 not just one, that’s according to Oscar de la Hoya who has questioned the appointment of referee Kenny Bayless for the richest fight in boxing history.
De la Hoya lost to Floyd Mayweather Junior on split decision in Las Vegas in 2007 and still holds a grudge against Bayless who refereed that fight. Now he suggests Pacquiao – who he also lost against in 2008 - could suffer a similar fate in the $200 million (Dh734 million) mega fight.
“History shows that Kenny Bayless protects Mayweather, Pacquiao is now up against two guys in the ring instead of one, so I would have to say Pacquiao is already one point behind and the fight hasn’t even started,” said De la Hoya, who is in Dubai playing in the Icons Cup all-star charity golf tournament at Dubai Creek Golf and Yacht Club this week.
“It’s surprising to me given the history but you know, hey, it’s Vegas and it’s Mayweather’s hometown and they are obviously going to do what’s best for him,” added the Mexican American who won 39 out of 45 fights, 30 by knock-out between 1992 and 2008.
Despite concerns of favouritism De La Hoya hasn’t ruled out a Pacquiao surprise.
“My head goes with Mayweather and my heart goes with Pacquiao,” he added. “I just think it’s going to be a great fight, I really don’t know who is going to win but I do give Pacquiao a good shot at surprising Mayweather.
“We’re going to see Mayweather do the same thing he does in every fight, which is box and win the rounds one at a time. I don’t see Mayweather trying to knock out Pacquiao but I can see Pacquiao trying to knock out Mayweather. In this sport one punch can change everything and I think I’m going to have to give Pacquiao the advantage.”
Having been at the receiving end of punches from both fighters, De la Hoya added: “Pacquiao has the hardest punch. Pacquiao has the power to hurt Mayweather but Mayweather doesn’t have the power to hurt Pacquiao.
“Pacquiao is aggressive and Mayweather is a pure boxer who just wants to win on points, given my experience inside the ring with both of them, it’s just one of those close fights to call. And we all know what happens when there are close fights in Vegas, obviously Mayweather always gets them.”
