Manny Pacquiao's Win over Dela Hoya Predicted by Atienza

[pioneer]

Environment Secretary Lito Atienza foresees sweet victory for Filipino boxing icon and international pound-for-pound king Manny 'Pacman' Pacquiao in his bout next month against world titleholder Oscar 'Golden Boy' dela Hoya.

"It'll be a tough fight but I believe he'll win it eventually," Atienza said during a press conference Thursday.

He attributed this forecast to Pacquiao's preparedness, saying "Manny's getting rigid but excellent training and this enables him to gradually gain weight that he'll convert into power."

He noted that Pacquiao, who's in the United States training for the fight, already gained 10 pounds.

In contrast, dela Hoya is working on losing weight as the bout is set at 147 pounds.

Atienza is not bothered that Pacquiao is the underdog in this fight.

"The odds are two-to-one with Manny as the underdog -- one of the few times he's rated as such -- but his training is going well and he's gaining more power so I think he'll win," he said.

He called on Filipinos to pray for Pacquiao's victory.

"Manny's one of our national sports treasures so let's pray he wins," he said. source: PNA