Oscar De La Hoya has recalled what it was like to get hit by Manny Pacquiao as the 46 year old nears a return to the ring.
The only ever eight division world champion will make his comeback after four years away from the sport when he faces WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios on July 19 in Las Vegas.
‘PacMan’ was last seen inside the ropes back in 2021 when he suffered a clear unanimous decision loss to Yordenis Ugás. However, his resume across 72 professional fights is second to none, facing the likes of Floyd Mayweather Jr, Juan Manuel Márquez, Miguel Cotto, Marco Antonio Barrera and Érik Morales.
In an interview with the Combat Podcast the ‘Golden Boy’ praised Pacquiao’s skills but says his power ‘did nothing to him’.
“It’s funny, because I didn’t feel Pacquiao’s punch, it didn’t do anything to me, maybe it’s because Pacquiao was coming up in weight, I believe that was his first fight at welterweight so I didn’t really feel his punch. With him it was more of an accumulation”
On the title fight against Barrios, when speaking to Seconds Out De La Hoya warned Pacquiao to be ‘careful’ against the younger champion.
“I wish him all the best. Obviously the truth is the truth, he’s obviously not the same Pacquiao that fought me, that fought the greats. I wish him the best, be careful up there, he’s not young like he used to be but I’m sure he still has that power so anything can happen but yeah, just be careful.”
