Manny Pacquiao is a betting underdog and is typically considered at least a notch or two beneath imminent opponent Floyd Mayweather Jr. on the sport’s mythical pound-for-pound ladder.
But that doesn’t mean he’s not confident.
The Filipino superstar arrived in Las Vegas on Tuesday and, according to a report, let his assembled fans know that all is well as Saturday night approaches, suggesting “I know I’m going to win the fight in the ring. So, relax.”
Having a resume with the highlights that Pacquiao’s has allows for some bold talk.
The 36-year-old has captured sanctioning body world title belts in seven weight classes, enters this weekend on a three-fight win streak and is backed in the corner by Freddie Roach, who’s been lauded as trainer of the year seven times by the Boxing Writers Association of America.
Roach was an opposite corner from Mayweather in May 2007, when he trained Oscar De La Hoya for the “Golden Boy’s” 12-round split-decision loss, a fight which holds the record ? until this weekend, at least ? as the most-purchased pay-per-view fight of all time with 2.48 million buys.
Manny Pacquiao knows how to fire up his fans. (Getty Images)
Of the 21 times Mayweather has gone the distance with an opponent, De La Hoya is the only fighter to have been awarded a victory against him on any single judge’s scorecard.
“I really did learn from the Oscar fight. It was a good lesson to me,” Roach said. “Floyd is tricky but not very complicated. But if you get behind him and start following him around the ring he will set a trap. I have trained Manny not to let that happen. When he sets a trap, Manny will walk away.”
With 38 knockouts in 57 career wins, Pacquiao is generally considered a better power puncher than Mayweather, who has 26 KOs in 47 victories. Most assume Mayweather will attempt to win by playing as much frustrating defense as significant offense, but Pacquiao doesn’t seem especially concerned.
“If he wants to fight me, good for me,” Pacquiao said. “If he’s running and moving around the ring we’re prepared for that, too.”
