Mayweather taps southpaw ex-champ as sparring partner to prep for Pacquiao

Floyd Mayweather has tapped a former world junior welterweight champion to help him prepare for his May 2 with Manny Pacquiao in Las Vegas.

 

The brash American champion has hired former WBO jr. welterweight titlist DeMarcus "Chop Chop" Corley as a sparring partner for the much-awaited super-fight with the Filipino ring icon, according to fighthype.com.

 

Like Pacquiao, Corley is left-handed, allowing Mayweather to prepare for the Filipino champion's unorthodox attack.

 

Mayweather and Corley are no strangers, having fought in 2004. Mayweather won that fight via decision.

 

Curiously, the Corley fight is among those cited by Pacquiao promoter Bob Arum to underscore how Mayweather struggles against left-handed fighters.

 

"I remember two fights he had with southpaws who didn't have the ability Manny has but who gave him trouble — (DeMarcus) 'Chop Chop' Corley, who buzzed him and had him in real trouble and Zab Judah," Arum, who was once Mayweather's promoter, told ESPN.

 

Corley also served as a sparring partner for Mayweather in the Judah fight. —JST, GMA News