By James Slater: He’s seen more major boxing matches than anyone alive. He’s forgotten more about the sport than millions of us will ever learn. His name is Angelo Dundee, recently turned 90-years-of-age, and his keen eye continues to study boxing as sharply as any other trainer/corner-man/expert.
Recently, in an interview with Ringtv.com, the former trainer of such luminaries as Muhammad Ali, George Foreman, Sugar Ray Leonard and Michael Nunn gave his take on the two biggest fights of the year: Floyd Mayweather-Victor Ortiz and Manny Pacquiao-Juan Manuel Marquez III.
In what will likely be a surprise to many, Dundee picked Ortiz to come through against Mayweather via a tough split decision, while he picked Marquez to win a similarly close decision over Pac-Man in their third and (almost certainly) final meeting.
“If I had a fighter to choose to fight against Mayweather, it would be one who fights like Ortiz,” Dundee said. “Result? Tough, split decision. But Ortiz may be the winner.
“Marquez will give Pacquiao a tough fight every day that they’re alive. Another tough fight. Probably Pacquiao’s toughest fight, because Marquez is a guy who knows how to fight him. Decision, split, Marquez.”
If either of Dundee’s picks prove to be correct, the sport will enjoy a major shake-up. What would it mean if Mayweather lost to Ortiz? We’d likely see a return fight, first of all, but how would the terribly proud Mayweather react if he lost his “O”? Would a first loss do major damage to his ego? As for Marquez winning over Pacquiao as Dundee predicts: such a result would put a serious dent in Pac-Man’s immediate reputation and possibly his long-term legacy. Many fans and experts are calling Pac-Man the most dominant lower-weight fighter of this era. This praise would neither be deserved nor realistic if the Mexican warrior known as “Dinamita” were to have gone 1-1-1 with him.
But how much of a chance is there of Dundee’s predictions coming true?
I don’t like disagreeing with such a wise old owl, but I have to here – on both counts. As hard as Ortiz is training, and as tough and as dangerous the young southpaw is, I can only see yet another Mayweather master-class. I agree the fight will go the distance, but I think it will be “Money” who wins, by a wide, clear decision. The fight may well be a hard one for Floyd, but he’s so gifted, he will make it LOOK easy.
As for Pacquiao-Marquez III; this meeting between the two greats will be fought at a few pounds below welterweight (a catch weight of 144), and Marquez, I feel, will be just too small. The first two fights between the two men were fought on a more even playing field because the two were both comfortable at 126 and 130-pounds respectively. Since then, however, Pacquiao has grown into a full welterweight. Whereas Marquez, as we saw in his fight with Mayweather, looked both sluggish and podgy at 142.
I see Pacquiao having some problems in the early-to-middle rounds in November, before his weight advantages, his speed and his power get to Marquez – who is, after all, 38 and near the end of a long and hard career. I have to disagree with Angelo: Pac-Man wins the third encounter in impressive, definitive fashion.