Peñalosa sees Pacquiao kayo win

MANILA, Philippines–Manny Pacquiao by stoppage.

That’s the bold prediction blurted out by two-time world division champion Gerry Peñalosa yesterday as to the outcome of Pacquiao’s megabuck bout with Floyd Mayweather on May 2 (May 3 in Manila) at MGM Grand in Las Vegas.

“I see Mayweather being rescued by the referee [from further damage],” Peñalosa, a close friend of Pacquiao, told sportswriters Friday at Pacquiao’s MP Tower Gym in Quiapo.

Several mediamen, along with television crews, foreign journalists and Korean fans waited for Pacquiao to show up for training as assistant trainer Buboy Fernandez was already in the air-conditioned gym by 2:30 p.m.

Mike Koncz, Pacquiao’s adviser, however, called up Fernandez by 4 p.m., informing him that the Sarangani representative’s convoy, which came from Forbes Park, got stuck in traffic and won’t be able to make it anymore.

The convoy eventually turned back, with Pacquiao jogging instead inside the exclusive village late Friday afternoon.

Peñalosa and Fernandez instead were the ones who faced the media.

Peñalosa, a former world champion, revealed that even before the Super Fight was announced he could already sense the Sarangani representative’s confidence.

“He told me that there would be a rematch in November,” Peñalosa said, implying that Mayweather will ask for it after being dealt his first loss by Pacquiao.

Of course, Peñalosa doesn’t think it would be an easy fight for either one.

“It’s going to be a tactical fight,” said Peñalosa, regarded by Freddie Roach, Pacquiao’s Hall of Fame trainer, as “the most technical Filipino fighter.”

Though he envisions the first three round to be “feeling-out rounds,” Peñalosa said he won’t be surprised if Pacquiao brings the fight to Mayweather right away.

The cornermen will play a key role as there would be a need to adjust every round,” added Peñalosa.

Roach, a seven-time trainer of the year, will be attending to Pacquiao with Floyd Mayweather Sr. manning his son’s corner.

According to Peñalosa, he noticed a slippage on Mayweather in the unbeaten American’s last three fights.

“If (Marcos) Maidana, whose punches are telegraphed, can catch him, imagine what Manny can do to him,” Penalosa explained.

“He (Mayweather) is a very cunning boxer, but we don’t know what will happen once he gets tired and Manny starts connecting.”

The one-day respite may actually do Pacquiao some good as he is well ahead of schedule.

Pacquiao is set to coach and play for his KIA Carnival in their PBA Commissioner’s Cup game against Blackwater Elite at 5 p.m today at San Juan Arena.