‘Hands of Stone’ tips ‘Pacman’ to win bout
‘Experienced Pacquiao is very strong going forward’
Former multiple world boxing champion Lehlohonolo “Hands of Stone” Ledwaba has tipped Filipino ring icon Manny “Pacman” Pacquiao to overwhelm inexperienced Jeff Horn in every department in Australia on Sunday.
The vastly experienced eight division world champion, Pacquiao, 38, will put his WBO welterweight belt on the line at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.
Ledwaba lost the IBF junior featherweight belt in his sixth defence to Pacquiao in 2001.
“Horn is a hard fighter who will not become a sacrificial lamb that will be ready to be slaughtered. Jeff is solid,” said Ledwaba who watched the 29-year-old Australian stop Ali Funeka in the sixth round for a WBO Inter-Continental title in New Zealand in December.
“I know that it sounds strange that I am making this comment when I only watched Jeff once, especially when he beat Ali, who is already on the decline.
“Jeff will need to be on the offensive and take the fight to Manny, because if he allows Manny to come at him, then there will be serious trouble.”
Ledwaba said Pacquiao – who boasts 38 knockouts in 59 wins, six losses and two draws – is very strong going forward.
“But the six guys who beat him, including Floyd Mayweather Junior, proved that Manny is beatable,” said Ledwaba.