Yes, that’s me and Pacquiao walking at the suites level at AT&T Park last Fall. He’s not a great interview. But he likes to pray. And he likes to beat people up. We had just beaten up the cameraman here. (Wait a minute, this is a selfie…)
I’m taller than he is.
I still think he’s going to beat Mayweather.
Here are some Pacquiao quotes on the big fight (from fan rally at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas, from Inquirer.net),
On being the underdog:
“My confidence right now is different than the other fights I had,” said Pacquiao. “I’m very excited. This is it. I had to prove something.”
“This is it. I like that (underdog),” said Pacquiao. “My killer instinct is back.”
On Strategy:
“We’re not depending on one strategy. We have two, three,” said Pacquiao.
“If he wants to fight, or if he wants to run in the ring,” I’m ready,” said Pacquiao, later changing the word ”run” to ”move,” grinning.
On Mayweather’s win streak against 47 fighters:
“I’m different from those 47. I’m faster, more confident for the fight. I believe he will lose.”
Pacquiao said Mayweather isn’t even the toughest fighter he’s faced, saying Oscar DelaHoya, Miguel Cotto and Juan Manuel Marquez were tougher.
I’ve seen just about every Manny fight. And the last two Mayweather fights.
In boxing terms, both are aging warriors and will have to rely on guile. But Mayweather’s 38. Pacman is 36. This isn’t a senior citizens affair.
Manny is slightly younger and has dealt with taller more aggressive boxers.
I think Pacquaio will have to knock him out to prevent an injustice like Bradley 1.
If it goes the distance, Mayweather will win, thus setting up a re-match.
Money talks.
To win, Manny will have to do an Algieri performance-plus: Knock him down and keep him down for the count. He won’t get six knockdowns. But he might get one good pop that rocks Mayweather.
Pacquiao might have done it easily five years ago.
Now? It will be close.
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