"This is my feeling. Look at what Juan Manuel did to Pacquiao, okay. Just compare that for a second, those fights. There's a strong case, and a lot of you also say that Juan Manuel beat Pacquiao, okay. Floyd, Floyd, what do you think will happen, seriously, with Pacquiao? I mean, come on! Come on," stated Oscar De La Hoya as he spoke to the media about a potential clash between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. during the Mayweather vs. Marquez post-fight press conference.
Prior to Saturday night, De La Hoya had been less than impressed with the skills of Mayweather. In fact, leading up to the bout, De La Hoya blogged about how easy it was to compete with undefeated 6-time world champion. "I've been in the ring with Floyd Mayweather Jr. and he's vulnerable...very, very vulnerable. I was surprised at how easy it was. Actually, I was shocked. It was so easy the first half of the fight that I couldn't believe it. If I would've kept up my jab, even doubling or tripling it, it would've been an easy fight. Power? I didn't feel any power from him. Yes, he was fast but it wasn't overwhelming," he remarked as he shared his opinion on the blueprint to beat Mayweather. De La Hoya was confident that Marquez had the right style to pull off the upset against Mayweather.
After Mayweather's one-sided unanimous decision victory on Saturday night, De La Hoya is now singing a different tune. Having faced both Mayweather and Pacquiao in the ring, De La Hoya was extremely impressed with what he saw in Mayweather after nearly two years away from teh ring. "You have Floyd, who just showed incredible speed and abilities and he actually surprised me that he's faster and stronger. Those two years, he had no rust whatsoever and I personally have to give Floyd all the credit in the world because of his discipline, his dedication that he adds to the sport of boxing and, hey, he's back. He's back and he's here for many years to come," De La Hoya added.
Of course, De La Hoya's opinion should be taken with a grain of salt as his company, Golden Boy Promotions, would love nothing more than to pit another one of their fighters, welterweight champion Shane Mosley, against Mayweather. In fact, De La Hoya already began hyping the bout as he pitched the idea to the reporters in attendance. "Mosley has a very strong case. I don't see why not. Mosley and Floyd are in a position to be part of history and create the mega-fight, the Super Bowl of all fights, the all-American showdown, Mosley and Floyd. Why not? Those are the two best fighters on the planet right now," he continued.
Indeed, Mosley does have a strong case and, more than likely, he'll get the assignment as Mayweather's next opponent. Assuming Pacquiao defeats Miguel Cotto on November 14, it's highly unlikely that Team Mayweather and Team Pacquiao will come to an agreement at the negotiating table given Mayweather's dominant performance over a common foe in Marquez.
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