Floyd Mayweather Jr has commented on the punching power of Manny Pacquiao ahead of his return to the ring.
The 46-year-old Filipino great is set to challenge reigning WBC world welterweight champion Mario Barrios this Saturday July 19 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
‘PacMan’ had announced his retirement from the sport back in 2021, just a couple of months after he was defeated by former WBA world welterweight champion Yordenis Ugas in June of the same year.
Pacquiao locked horns with Mayweather a decade ago in a bout that was dubbed as ‘The Fight of The Century’, although their highly anticipated showdown failed to live up to the expectations that had been set beforehand, as ‘Money’ was declared the winner via unanimous decision.
Many fans and pundits had couldn’t split the two before the clash, but the Filipino icon fell short on the night in what was an underwhelming twelve round encounter.
In a Youtube interview, Mayweather admitted that whilst Pacquiao had noticeable punching power, it was ‘nothing’ he hadn’t felt prior to facing the eight division world champion.
“Pacquiao obviously got power also, you know I’ve been in there with him. He’s solid, he’s solid, it ain’t nothing I’ve never felt before but he’s solid.
He felt me too that’s why he wasn’t quick to run in there, so it’s obvious we both felt each other.”
Mayweather would go on to announce his retirement from the sport just 2-years after he defeated Pacquiao, ending his glittering career with a comprehensive victory over MMA legend Conor McGregor in August of 2017 to extend his unbeaten record to 50-0.
