Pac is not the same fighter. Just look at Pac vs JMM 2 and Pac vs JMM 3. In the 3rd fight, Pac supposed to have a huge advantage,being it at higher weight and JMM much older. Yet Pac's performance in the 3rd fight is pale in comparison to his performance in the second fight. The Pac of old too would TKO Bradley when he hurt him..Even in the Margarito fight you can see Pac breathing heavily and not as fast as he used to be. Actually Pac is not as agile as he used to be..
Manny's power is overrated, his speed may gain him a flash knockdown or two, and he could hurt Rio's as he did Tony, but I don't think he would knock him out. It would be interesting to see Manny "run" from Rios though. I put that in quotes because its the common description used for anything other than toe to toe brawling.
I don't think it was "pale in comparison" at all aside form the fact that he didn't score a KD. Pacquiao was outboxed in both fights. The difference in the last one was that many people, including Pacquiao and his whole team, thought he was gonna just roll right through this older, heavier version of JMM. JMM had other ideas and once again proved that he and his style is just a nightmare for Pacquiao.
Well, he would get KO'ed. In this last fight, he was getting hit flush alot. Remarkable turn of events won him the fight. But that wouldn't happen vs Pac. Rios is one hell of a warrior, though. But a few more fights like the last one & this guy will end up worse than R. Bowe.
I don't see Pacquiao koing Rios today, 2009 PAC would destroy him no doubt. This is the way is see this fight going PAC busting Rios up, but the guy doesn't have any quit in him. Would look like PAC vs mararito, PAC wins by UD. Only way rios wins is by stopping PAC, I don't see that happening ether. I take that back I think PAC can tko rios from cuts, closed eyes, the guy blocks punches with his face.
I quite like Rios after that (old) interview. Yeah manny could knock him out, depends on whether his chin holds up, but he'd be getting hit flush and often and being turned a lot. I think his chin would definitely hold up though, can't really see him getting knocked out if he's ble to weigh in at 147
Pacquaio would knock Rios out. Bradley had a hell of a chin, and was elusive, and could move if he wanted to. Rios will get nailed with body shots and dropped mid rounds or late. He might even get ended early.
Pac made a similar admission about Cotto when he first fought in the lightweight division and Cotto was the man at WW. Now Cotto don't even want to mention Pac's name.