Mayweather taunts Manny

FLOYDLAS VEGAS — Floyd Mayweather says Filipino superstar Manny Pacquiao has lost a step. Pacquiao’s slide has coincided with his decision to split from former strength trainer Alex Ariza, Mayweather said in Las Vegas on Wednesday.
The 37-year-old undefeated welterweight champion was commenting on Pacquiao’s performance against Timothy Bradley on April 12.

“Actually, I did watch the fight,” said Mayweather who is training to fight Argentina’s Marcos Maidana in a title bout in Las Vegas in May 3.

“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 unimpressed with Pacquiao’s performance in the rematch against Bradley.

Pacquiao had less power and stamina than he did five years ago.

“I thought Pacquiao fought like an amateur. 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 weight classes.

Mayweather said it was the first time since 2009 that he has watched a full fight of Pacquiao’s.

Mayweather could not have watched Pacquiao’s first fight against Bradley on June 9 2012, even if he wanted to. Just eight days earlier, Mayweather had been sentenced to three months in a Las Vegas jail for hitting his ex-girlfriend, Josie Harris, in front of his children.

“I noticed since Ariza is not with Pacquiao, a total change in Pacquiao’s power,” he said. “I don’t see the same pop in Pacquiao’s shots, the same snap. He is getting tired.”

“I’m seeing something totally different in Pacquiao, but still, that does not make me say I am going out there to fight him, because he’s with Bob Arum and I’m with Mayweather Promotions.”

Arum recently blasted the matchup between Mayweather and Maidana as “nonsense”.

The American, who has a record of 45-0, with 26 knockouts, defended the decision to fight Maidana. “You can’t say it is going to be an easy fight for me. Everyone thinks he is going to be a pushover but I don’t see it that way.”

Next week’s bout in Las Vegas, scheduled for 12 rounds, will unify the WBC welterweight title held by Mayweather and Maidana’s WBA welterweight crown. — AP.

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