WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao is not the type who would like to make fearless predictions about his upcoming fights.
Perhaps because of his Christian inclination or his being a public figure and Philippine legislator at that, Pacquiao's public demeanor has been short of astounding for a boxer.
But during an unguarded moment last Monday, while resting after his three-hour training practice in his hometown of General Santos City, the tongue of the eight division world champion slipped, reports Inquirer.net.
"My next fight is for 12 rounds indeed. It's too long. It should only be six rounds," Manny was quoted by Manila-based sportswriters and a photographer as saying.
The Pacman will be defending his WBO welterweight title against undefeated American Chris Algieri on November 23 in Macau, China.
Pacquiao faced the media at the function hall of his new mansion in General Santos City while swinging and stretching both his arms, Inquirer.net noted.
If there is anyone who would be happy seeing Pacquiao knock out his opponent, it would no less be than be his coach and trainer Freddie Roach.
The Boxing News 24 reported that Pacquiao has not knocked out anybody in his last eight fights dating back to 2009. His last stoppage was a 12th round knockout of Miguel Cotto back in 2009.
Roach thinks that Pacman has been fighting in the wrong division. He believes that the knockouts will come back to Pacquiao as soon as he moves back to junior welterweight, cites Boxing News 24.
Pacquiao will be facing Algiere on the catchweight of 144 lbs and if indeed a knockout happens (of Algieri that is), Roach assessment may be on target.
Meanwhile, Algieri remains undaunted about his upcoming fight. He was quoted in a report by East Side Boxing that he believes that he has the talent to defeat Pacquiao.
"I'm really in it and focused at the task at hand. I'm going out there to beat Manny Pacquiao and to beat a legend. That's the only thing on my mind," quips Algieri.
Algieri, at 5'10" is three inches taller than Pacquiao. Some boxing pundits believe that the Pacman may struggle in nailing Algieri in the ring despite his fast hands. But many still think that Pacquiao would be able to break through the way he did with taller opponents like Oscar Dela Hoya and Miguel Cotto.
East Side Boxing said that Algieri is planning to use much of his jab against Pacquiao to keep him at bay. The American thinks that his jab is the great equalizer and through his jabs, he is going to take away the Pacman's advantage in terms of speed and power.
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