Floyd Mayweather Jr would not have retired undefeated had he have faced a prime version of Manny Pacquiao, Oscar De La Hoya has claimed.
De La Hoya lost his WBC super welterweight title to Mayweather in 2007 and suffered an eighth round retirement loss to Pacquiao in 2008, a defeat which spelled the end of his illustrious career.
Mayweather, 38 at the time and Pacquiao, 36, finally collided in 2015, in what remains the highest-grossing bout of all-time.
Most observes felt the pair delivered their eagerly-anticipated super fight far too late in their respective careers and De La Hoya insists Mayweather, who hung up his gloves two fights later with an unblemished record of 50-0, would not have prevailed with a unanimous decision had he fought ‘Pacman’ earlier.
Asked who the best fighter he faced was, the 51-year-old told Ring Magazine: “I would have to say Pacquiao.
“I think his determination, his conditioning, his skill, his power, speed, footwork.
“He’s one of the fighters I most appreciated.
“Mayweather-Pacquiao would have been a lot different [if they’d fought] in their primes.
“Pacquiao would have beat [Mayweather] easy, absolutely.”
The Filipino great called time on his career after defeat to Yordenis Ugas in 2021, but is reportedly considering a sensational comeback at 45-years-old against WBC welterweight champion, Mario Barrios, who is 16 years his junior.
Despite lauding the eight-weight world champion as the greatest boxer he competed against, De La Hoya concedes that Mayweather was the smartest and had the best footwork.
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“I think [Floyd] Mayweather used the ring really well.
“He had good footwork – that’s what starts it all.
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“The anticipation of knowing when you’re going to attack was a big part of his defence, which made him very clever.
“I think the fact he knew how to anticipate my punches made him smart, made him win the fight.”
