REIGNING World Boxing Association (WBA) super welterweight champion Manny Pacquiao said he had no problem rebuffing young contenders such as Mikey Garcia, Danny Garcia and Errol Spence Jr., who wish to fight him after the coronavirus pandemic or in the future.
In reaction to Floyd Mayweather Jr.’s recent comment, the 41-year-old fighting senator retorted that for now, he has no plan of calling it quits in boxing despite his age or the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic, which has stopped all sporting activities worldwide.
“Naiingit lang ‘yun [si] (Mayweather Jr.) kasi retired na siya. Kami, active pa, at saka may korona pa tayo (He is just envious because he’s already retired. We’re still active and have a crown),” Pacquiao, the eight-division world champion, told The Manila Times in a phone interview last Monday.
The strategically retired Mayweather Jr., unbeaten in 50 fights and with 27 knockouts under his belt, said to boxinginsider.com, through Fighthype.com reporter Ben Thompson last May 12, that young fighters should not chase the “old man” Pacquiao, who has a 62-7-2 win-loss-draw record with 39 knockouts.
“It’s sad that you hear guys say, ‘I want to fight Manny Pacquiao,’” said Mayweather Jr. to Thompson. “But Manny Pacquiao is 41 now. Don’t chase him. You young guys chase each other. But stop chasing this old man. If the opportunity presents itself, go out and do what you got to do.”
“Let Manny Pacquiao pick and choose who he wants to fight. With everything he’s accomplished, hopefully, he’s made some smart investments.”
But Pacquiao doesn’t care about what Mayweather Jr. says or thinks or whether he gets to fight him in future or not.
“Hindi ko pa iniisip muna ‘yan. Iniisip ko pa ‘yung mga kababayan natin at kung paano ma-resolve itong ano (I’m not thinking about that yet. I’m concerned first and foremost about our countrymen and about how to resolve this pandemic),” explained Pacquiao.
When asked about his physical condition, he gave his usual confident reply, “Okay naman ako (Yes, I’m okay).”
He downplayed any retirement plans too. “Wala naman, walang problema (No plans yet; no problem). Actually, kakatapos ko lang sumuntok sa (I just finished hitting the) punching bag. Wala pa (No retirement yet). Nagte-training pa naman ako (Yes, I’m still training). Okay naman (Yes), God is good all the time.”
Pacquiao also said all boxing negotiations, for his part, are suspended due to the pandemic.
