KO in Pacquiao-Floyd bout unlikely, says trainer

Well-respected boxing trainer Ronnie Shields doubts the May 2 super fight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Maweather Jr. will end in a knockout, even though members of both camps insist that a stoppage is possible.

Pacquiao's trainer, Freddie Roach, told On the Ropes Boxing in a recent interview that he believes the "Pacman" will win by knockout.

"I don't have a round, but the thing is, we have to break him down first, and I think in the later rounds, I believe Manny will knock him out," Roach said.

Meanwhile, Mayweather Promotions chief executive Leonard Ellerbe guaranteed that the American – known for his defensive wizardry – will go for a knockout if the opportunity presented itself.

"A lot of it will play out on how both fighters come out from the opening bell, but if Floyd sees the opportunity, I know for a fact that he will finish him off," said Ellerbe during Mayweather's open workout Tuesday in Las Vegas.

Shields is not so convinced, however.
"I don't think so," he answered when asked by On the Ropes Boxing if fans will see a knockout come May 2.

"I think Floyd's defense is too good, and I don't believe Floyd punches hard enough, because of his hands, to knock Manny out," he explained.

He believes the bout is more likely to end on a cut than on a knockout.

Shields is favoring Mayweather in the bout because the American "knows how to win, he knows how to pull out victories."

"Pacquiao, he knows how to lose," Shields said. "Floyd is a very intelligent fighter, and when you look at it, he picks you off very quickly. Once he does that, he's a very difficult guy to fight."

Pacquiao has more power than Mayweather, Shields conceded, but is at a disadvantage because he is the smaller fighter. At the same time, Shields doubts Mayweather can knock out the "Pacman" because the American has "bad hands."

"Everyone in boxing knows Floyd has bad hands," he said. "At the same time, when he hits you, he can sting you, but he knows how to put combinations together that really take effect."

"Once Floyd gets the judges to really watch him land solid punches, then I just think that Manny is not going to be able to overcome it," he added.

Nevertheless, the fight will be close, Shields said.

"I really think it's going to be a good, close fight. I don't think one guy is going to dominate the other guy for 12 rounds, because Manny is such a good fighter," said Shields.

"But I just feel the edge is going to be to Floyd, because Floyd knows how to pull out victories. Manny has tried in a lot of fights, but in a lot of fights, he's lost," he added.

Story by abs/TB