Oscar De La Hoya is supporting Manny Pacquiao when he takes on Floyd Mayweather Jr but he knows that a quick start is required for the Filipino to come away as the champion.

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The two best pound-for pound fighters face off on May 2 at MGM Grand, Las Vegas, in a showdown that is dubbed ‘the fight of the century’. The bout is expected to generate a staggering $400 million – the richest in boxing history.

It is going to be a compelling fight between two paradoxical styles.The Pacman is renowned for his swift power punching and is a world champion in eight different divisions. He has been beaten five times in 64 bouts. Whereas Mayweather Jr is a technical defensive master that has an unbeaten record of 47-0.

De La Hoya understands what is needed from Pacquaio if he is going to come out on top.

“I think Pacman can surprise him but he has to have the perfect game plan,” De La Hoya said at the Icons Cup, a celebrity golf event in Dubai.  

“He has to come out strong in the first three or four rounds and get those in the bag. He has to go in with a lot of combinations and a lot of footwork, which he has. And I hear he’s in tremendous, tremendous shape.

“He needs to have Mayweather chasing him. If he chases Mayweather, then Floyd will outbox him and win the fight, like he always does.”

De La Hoya knows the fighters better than anyone, having shared a ring with both during the latter stages of his career. He lost to Mayweather Jr on a split decision in 2007, while the following year Pacquiao caused a major upset and beat him by TKO.

De La Hoya will be supporting one man on the night although he can’t predict who is going to be victorious. “My head tells me that Mayweather will win but my heart tells me Pacquiao. I’m not the biggest fan of Mayweather so I’d most definitely like to see Pacquiao win.”