MANILA, Philippines — Filipino boxing great Manny Pacquiao (62-8-3) has the edge in his rematch against undefeated American Floyd Mayweather Jr. (50-0) on September 19.
That is the take of former Mayweather's former opponent Zab Judah who fell to the "Money" via unanimous decision in 2006.
The former 2-division world champion made the comment in an interview with MillCity Boxing.
“I mean yeah you’re gonna give Manny an edge, because he has movement, he has fluidness and he has those good combinations, said Judah, who retired in 2019 with 44 wins and 10 losses.
Judah noted that Pacquiao's defense is suspect, though.
"He is a combination puncher with speed and power, so he is always going to do good and he is elusive. The only thing with Manny Pacquiao – his biggest problem is his defense, sometimes he slacks on the defense and gets caught standing straight there and allows his opponent to connect. Other than that, the guy is phenomenal.”
Judah's take contrasts that of former Pacquiao opponent Adrian Broner who lost to the world's only 8-division champ via unanimous decision in 2019.
“I think it’s going to serve a purpose; it’s going to be a great fight to watch. Pacquiao‘s definitely coming to fight, and it’s going to be an exciting fight," Broner said to HeadBussinBoxing.
“I still don’t think he can beat Floyd no matter what, but I can’t wait to see it," added Broner, who sports a 35-5-1 win-loss-draw slate.
Pacquiao, 47, and Mayweather, 49, first fought in 2015 with the latter winning the bout via unanimous decision.
Their rematch is set on September 19 at the Sphere in Las Vegas, Nevada.
