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Oscar De La Hoya has submitted his prediction for the mooted rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao, two fighters he faced in their primes.
Various reports have suggested that Mayweather and Pacquiao, two pound-for-pound legends of their craft, are in negotiations for a second encounter.
The pair locked horns in 2015, back when Mayweather claimed a clear points victory in what has since maintained its status as the most lucrative boxing event of all time.
Second to that is the American’s last professional outing against Conor McGregor, who he halted with a 10th-round finish in 2017 before entering a string of exhibition matches.
As for Pacquiao, it came as a small surprise when the 46-year-old ended a four-year layoff and boxed to a draw against WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios this past July.
During his hiatus from a professional ring, the Filipino had amassed just two exhibition matches but nonetheless earned an immediate world title shot earlier this year.
Despite being widely regarded as the weakest belt-holder at 147lbs, many believed that WBC champion Barrios would be too fresh for the ageing Pacquiao.
But now, it would seem that the eight-division world champion has no desire to crawl back into retirement, especially not while a rematch with Mayweather remains on the table.
According to Hall of Fame inductee De La Hoya in an interview with talkSPORT, thought Mayweather, whether it is an exhibition or professional bout, should still have an advantage over his rival.
“I think Mayweather will take it.
“One thing about Mayweather is he has always taken care of himself. He’s always doing something, physically, and that is the big advantage that he has.
“He is a world-class athlete, and watching Pacquiao’s last fight, you kind of feel bad for him. It definitely isn’t the same Pacquiao that I faced, the one who retired me on my stool.
“But I still think that Mayweather will pull this off if it does happen.”
De La Hoya is one of just a few men to have taken on both legendary fighters, losing to Mayweather by split decision in May 2007, before an eighth round retirement defeat to Pacquiao in December 2008, so is better placed than most to share his view on the potential bout.
Whether or not the rematch does indeed come to fruition remains to be seen, with it recently reported that Pacquiao may have once again turned his attention to a clash with WBA welterweight champion Rolly Romero.
