In the Talk Widus forum held Wednesday by the Pampanga Press Club, McTavish noted, however, that Pacquiao has lost much of his “power,” as he lamented that other concerns have diffused the boxer’s concentration in the sport.
“He is into politics, he has gone into basketball, and much of his time is spent for his new religious affiliations. I heard he prays early in the morning instead of immediately doing his workout,” he said.
McTavish said though that he believed Pacquiao could still knock out Bradley in the fifth or sixth round, despite diminished feet movements.
He warned, however, that Pacquiao should train hard, as he noted that Bradley is five years younger, has a good trainer and has changed his old styles.
“Also, it should be noted that Pacquiao hasn’t knocked out anyone in the last seven years,” he added.
During the forum, Sen. Gringo Honasan vowed to help McTavish in his long-standing application for Filipino citizenship.
McTavish, a New Zealander, said he has been staying in the Philippines for 49 years after marrying Carmen Tayag who belongs to a prominent family from Angeles City.
“The Philippines is where my children and grandchildren are. This is my home,” he said, lamenting delays in the passage of his Filipino citizenship bid filed years ago.
During the forum the Pampanga Press Club turned over to McTavish an award declaring him Most Outstanding Capampangan in Sports for 2015.
The award noted that “from 1983 to 1984, he served as the first non-Filipino president of the Rotary Club of Mabalacat and introduced the Polio Plus Project, the pilot program which became the basis of Rotary International efforts eradicate polio worldwide, and his notable involvement in the Batay Bata Foundation to help orphans.”
The award also recognized McTavish “for being the only Philippine representative to have been named World Boxing Council Referee of the Year in 2013 and 2015.”
