WBC/WBA welterweight champion Floyd Mayweather Jr. (L) works out with co-trainer Nate Jones at the Mayweather Boxing Club on April 14, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Mayweather will face WBO welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao in a unification bout on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas. Ethan Miller/Getty Images/AFP
LAS VEGAS — Don’t tell trainer Nate Jones that Floyd Mayweather Jr. has little knockout power unless you’ve been in his shoes.
During Mayweather’s open workout, Jones could be seen wearing a padded armor over his body for protection against the pound-for-pound king’s punches.
“I’ve been working with him and I’ve been feeling his power. He’s hitting tremendously hard,” Jones told INQUIRER.net during Mayweather’s Grand Arrival event at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Tuesday.
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Jones, who’s been with Mayweather for 21 years, warned Manny Pacquiao to not take the five-division world champion’s punching power for granted when the two welterweight titans finally meet in the ring on Saturday night in a unification title bout here.
“His power must be respected, he has very good power, very deceptive power,” Jones said. “I don’t see it (fight) going past 10. [Floyd] is getting stronger and smarter.”
The World Boxing Association and Word Boxing Council champion Mayweather had said his showdown with Pacquiao won’t define his legacy but Jones thinks the Grand Rapids, Michigan native needs it to validate himself as the best ever in the sport.
“He’s extremely motivated. He’s been waiting for this his whole life, this is what he’s dedicated his life for, this is what he’s been living for,” Jones said. “This is what he’s been saying since the day I met him – to be the greatest of all time and this fight will prove that.”
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And while many consider Pacquiao to be the faster fighter and the one with the heavier hands, Jones believes Mayweather’s timing will be the ultimate difference-maker.
“It’s not about who’s quicker, it’s about timing,” he said. “You beat quick with timing, you beat power with timing, you beat foot speed with timing. I don’t think his timing is not on Floyd’s level. Floyd’s smarter; he’s been doing this since he came out the womb, he was born to this game from his father to his uncle, to his whole family.
The megafight is four days away but Jones said Mayweather, whom he sees is in best shape in two years, is more than ready to go.
“If the fight were held today, Floyd’s gonna knock him out.”