Manny Pacquiao has lost his pop, says Floyd Mayweather
Undefeated American welterweight champion believes split with Ariza was start of Filipino's slide, after watching southpaw fight Bradley
Floyd Mayweather says Manny Pacquiao has lost a step and that the Filipino's superstar slide has coincided with his decision to split from former strength trainer Alex Ariza.
The 37-year-old undefeated welterweight champ Mayweather weighed in this week on the latest performance by Pacquiao who beat Timothy Bradley on April 12 in Las Vegas in a rematch of their first bout in June 2012.
"Actually, I did watch the fight," said Mayweather who is training for a fight against Argentina's Marcos Maidana in a 147-pound title bout on May 3 in Las Vegas.
I thought Pacquiao fought like an amateur and I wasn't pleased with his performance
"You know, I haven't seen Pacquiao fight in years. I've seen highlights, but I haven't seen Pacquiao fight since he fought Miguel Cotto."
Mayweather said he was not impressed and fired a couple of verbals jabs of his own at Pacquiao. He said Pacquiao looked like an "amateur" and the World Boxing Organisation welterweight champ had less power and stamina than he did five years ago.
"I thought Pacquiao fought like an amateur and I wasn't pleased with his performance," Mayweather said.
"He got the victory the best way he knew how. I'm seeing something totally different in Pacquiao."
Pacquiao worked with Ariza for five years before splitting with him last year. Ariza had a key role in helping Pacquiao win titles in several different weight classes, including 147 and 154 pounds.