LAS VEGAS ? Manny Pacquiao returned to the site of his many triumphs late Monday night oozing with supreme confidence going into the next chapter of his storied boxing career, a welterweight war against Shane Mosley at the MGM Grand this weekend.
?If you train hard, there?s nothing to worry about,? said a beaming Pacquiao after his final workout at the Wild Card Boxing Club in Los Angeles just moments before making the 300-mile journey on board his massive SUV.
?I am ready and excited (to fight),? said the 32-year-old Pacquiao, who will not only be putting his World Boxing Organization 147-lb throne but his stranglehold on boxing?s mythical title of pound-for-pound king as well.
Saturday night?s slugfest will mark the first time that Pacquiao will fight in Sin City after shunning the world?s fight capital in 2010, opting to strut his stuff at Cowboys Stadium in Texas, the gigantic playground of Jerry Jones? Dallas Cowboys in the National Football League.
The last time Pacquiao here was in Nov. 2009 with a 12th-round destruction of Miguel Cotto of Puerto Rico at the 17,000-seat Grand Garden Arena, where the Filipino has fought six times, losing on a close decision to Erik Morales in March 2005 and being held to a draw by Juan Manuel Marquez in May 2004.
So thrilled is Pacquiao of performing again here that he did not take any stone unturned in his preparation for Mosley.
?I went the extra mile in my training because I want to make sure I will be in top shape when I face Mosley,? said Pacquiao, who will have his last training day on Wednesday.
Pacquiao?s last two training days will be devoted to maintaining his current condition after capping his sparring session in Los Angeles, according to trainer Freddie Roach.
Roach remains firm that Pacquiao?s ?fast start? will make Mosley ?fade? down the stretch although the 51-year-old Wild Card guru said his fighter has what it takes to take Mosley out within three rounds.
?Three rounds?? answered Roach when asked if it was highly possible that Pacquiao could wrap it all up in such an easy manner.
?I would love that. Manny Pacquiao goes out there quick and he does what he can do? He can end it in one if he wants to. That?s my opinion, if he wants to do it.?
