Back in January 2006, Floyd Mayweather, Jr. cheered wildly for a rising Asian boxer named Manny Pacquiao.
See the HBO video (5 minute mark)
The Filipino fighter, then 27, was fighting Erik Morales for the second time at the Thomas and Mack Center in Las Vegas. Pacquiao (then 40-3-2) and Morales (then 48-3) fought for the WBC super featherweight title (130 lbs.). The native from General Santos City won by technical knockout (TKO) in the 10th round, handing the Mexican legend his first-ever knockdown.
At ringside, an exuberant Mayweather can be seen cheering for Pacquiao–his future rival.
After the fight, HBO’s Larry Merchant interviewed the new featherweight champion. Pacquiao said: “I thank God. He gave me great power. Great power is big responsibility.”
Who would have thought that nine years later, Pacquiao would challenge Mayweather at welterweight (147 lbs.) for the richest fight in boxing history?
In an interview on Philippine television, Pacquiao said: “I told you before (the second Morales fight) that I?d do my best in the ring . . . for our country, for my family . . . God is great.” He added: I want to thank God for giving me the strength for this fight. Thank you to all for supporting me.”
Back then, Mayweather was one of those supporters.
Floyd Mayweather and Manny Pacquiao will fight for the unified welterweight title on May 2, 2015 in Las Vegas.
