For promoter Bob Arum, he sees a repeat of Pacquiao's triumph over Oscar Dela Hoya once the Filipino boxer steps into the ring against undefeated American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr.
Arum is referring to the 2008 fight between a young Pacquiao and off-form Dela Hoya where the Pac Man won when the fight was stopped in the 8th round.
However, there are a lot of differences between now and then. One is Pacquiao has gotten older and slower compared to the time he fought Dela Hoya.
Back then, Dela Hoya was forced to lose seven pounds to make the weight limit which visibly affected him during the fight. Plus the fact that he had not fought in that weight class for the past 8 years and that he was not as active, the end result was something many had seen coming.
However, the case now with Mayweather is different. Mayweather seems to have all the advantages against an older Pacquiao and the question in people's minds is how can Pacquiao catch up to Mayweather who is expected to punch and run for a majority of the bout.
Then again, there is that angle where Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach have closed the doors at the Wild Card Gym where the Filipino is training in which could mean some secret strategy heading into the fight.
The odds are stacked against Pacquiao right now, and many are keen on putting their money on Floyd. But will Arum's forecast somehow alter those stakes?
There is no doubt that Pacquiao and Roach could pull some strings but the thing is whether that would be enough to hand Mayweather his first boxing career defeat.
With regards to a repeat of the Pacquiao-Dela Hoya match in 2008, it could be that Arum is playing some mind games with Mayweather. If not, his boy Pacquiao and trainer Freddie Roach may have an ace up his sleeve.
