Manny Pacquiao has had his chances analysed by previous opponents throughout fight week as he prepares to meet Mario Barrios for the WBC welterweight title.
On Saturday night, Pacquiao could be crowned one of boxing’s oldest world champions if he can dethrone Barrios.
Already, he has had a target on his back without being champion, from the likes of Conor Benn and now a rumoured rematch with Floyd Mayweather, who he claims is ‘ducking’ him.
Juan Manuel Marquez believes wholeheartedly that Pacquiao will become champion, but some are hedging their bets when it comes to an outright prediction.
Chris Algieri believes ‘eraser’ power is the difference maker for Manny Pacquiao against Mario Barrios
Another former opponent of ‘PacMan’ Chris Algieri does have concerns over the age of the Filipino fighter, but believes the one thing keeping him in the ring is power.
Speaking in an interview, he said: “Absolutely, Father Time is undefeated. I can’t expect Manny Pacquiao to be the same fighter I fought 11 years ago… he’s going to be a different fighter.
“The factor that Manny Pacquiao can punch makes him be able to fight a little longer. When you see guys who go on for longer, it’s usually guys who can punch.
“You have that power, you have that eraser, you think of like George Foreman going into his forties, those guys tend to last a little longer.”
Not only is the power alone a brilliant equaliser, it also helps that his opponent’s style is not to stay out of trouble.
Algieri explained: “Listen, Barrios is a warrior, he likes to fight, he likes to engage, he’s going to be there to be hit at times, so it gives Manny more of a chance.
“But in terms of the age, it does concern me.”
16 years his junior, ‘El Azteca’ can’t afford to let his attributes and age go to waste in a fight where he could easily be caught with straight punches.
Which is something Algieri is all too familiar with when he faced the eight-division legend.
Manny Pacquiao earned an astonishing $20 million for beating Chris Algieri
11 years ago, it was the American who was faced with the task of a legend still competing at his best at the world level.
‘The Fighting Collegian’ had it all to do against the Filipino for his WBO world title, but he could not find his rhythm that night.
Pacquiao beat down the then 30-year-old, dropping him six times throughout the 12 rounds to earn a wide unanimous decision victory on the cards.
The victory earned him a very sizeable sum of $20 million for a seemingly easy night’s work.
In an interview with Morning Kombat, he reflected: “His ability to make adjustments on the fly was super impressive.
“He’s the best I’ve ever fought, he’s the best I’ve ever shared the ring with, his awareness is next level.”
Maybe, just for one more night, Pacquiao can turn back the clock and produce his usual magic inside the ring to pull off one of the great feats of his career.