Oscar De La Hoya believes a rematch between Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will finish the identical manner because it did first time round.
That evening, in Might 2015, Mayweather comfortably outpointed Pacquiao at Las Vegas’ Grand Backyard Enviornment in essentially the most commercially profitable occasion within the historical past of boxing.
Flash ahead to the current day, and studies have emerged linking the pair to a money-spinning rematch.
Netflix are stated to be all in favour of broadcasting the occasion, which might happen subsequent yr, offering it will get previous the negotiation desk.
It stays unclear whether or not the spectacle will likely be an exhibition bout or knowledgeable contest, however Pacquiao has made it clear that he desires a ‘actual struggle’.
At 46 years previous, Pacquiao surprised the boxing world in July by holding WBC welterweight champion Mario Barrios to a majority draw following a four-year hiatus from the paid ranks.
Mayweather, who’s 48, hasn’t competed professionally since his stoppage victory over Conor McGregor in August 2017.
He has as a substitute been retaining busy in a collection of non-scoring bouts towards influencers, actuality tv stars and every part in between.
De La Hoya, who misplaced to each males on the peak of their powers, was surprised to listen to that his former foes have been in talks to struggle once more.
Chatting with talkSPORT.com one hour after studies dropped, the legendary six-weight world champion remarked: “Wow! Effectively, possibly I will be the referee. Let me get some motion.
“Look, the primary struggle was a few years in the past, and it was an okay struggle.
“Now, they’re going to do it once more, apparently. Look, it’s all leisure, that’s how I see it.
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“I do not know if it will be an exhibition or a struggle with actual guidelines and small boxing gloves.
“In the event that they make it an actual struggle, with actual guidelines, then it’s an okay evening for boxing.”
Oscar De La Hoya’s prediction for Floyd Mayweather vs Manny Pacquiao
Pressed on his prediction if the struggle does, actually, happen subsequent yr, De La Hoya added: “I feel Mayweather will take it.
“One factor about Mayweather is he has all the time taken care of himself.
“He is all the time doing one thing bodily, and that’s the huge benefit that he has.
“He’s a world-class athlete, and watching Pacquiao’s final struggle, you type of really feel dangerous for him.
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“He did pull off a shock in his final struggle with a draw towards a world champion, however you are inclined to really feel that it’s not the identical Pacquiao.
“It positively is not the identical Pacquiao that I confronted, the one who retired me on my stool.
“However I nonetheless suppose that Mayweather will pull this off if it does occur.”