Seven-division champion Manny Pacquiao still wants to fight Floyd Mayweather, would continue battling in the ring even as an elected official, longs to do so at New York’s Madison Square Garden, and said that basketball is a huge part of his early preparation for his bouts.
During a live chat with FanHouse’s Michael David Smith on Monday, Pacquiao also revealed that Muhammad Ali, Sugar Ray Leonard and Marvin Hagler are among his favorite, all-time fighters, and that Erik Morales and Miguel Cotto are the two hardest punchers that he believes he has faced.
The 31-year-old Pacquiao (50-3-2, 38 knockouts) of the Philippines will defend his WBO welterweight (147 pounds) title against Ghanian-born, 32-year-old Joshua Clottey (35-5, 20 KOs) on Saturday at The Dallas Cowboys’ Stadium in Arlington, Tex., marking the first time in history that the $1.2 billion venue will play host to a boxing event.
The March 13 date was originally intended for a megabout between Pacquiao and undefeated, 33-year-old Floyd Mayweeather (40-0, 25 KOs), but their fight negotiations disintegrated over a disagreement concerning the implimentation of Olympic drug testing, leaving Mayweather to face 38-year-old, WBA welterweight super champion, Shane Mosley (46-5, 39 KOs), on May 1 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.
Pacquiao has filed a lawsuit seeking damages for defamation of character against Mayweather, his father, Floyd Mayweather Sr., his uncle and trainer, Roger Mayweather, and president Oscar De La Hoya, and, CEO Richard Schaefer, of Golden Boy Promotions.
Pacquiao believes that the group has tarnished his image by accusing him of steroid use. Yet, despite any acrimony that might exist between the two camps, the Filipino star can still envision himself in the ring against Mayweather.
“It would be a fun, interesting fight. I would need to get on my running shoes and chase him. It would be a good fight,” said Pacquiao. “Hopefully, he will fight me, because it would be a great fight. I think it would be entertaining, and good if he actually fights me.”
Pacquiao dismissed any notion that Clottey is a cheap substitute for Mayweather. A former IBF champion with solid defensive skills and supreme punching accuracy, Clottey will be the largest man Pacquiao will have ever faced.
In his last bout, in June, Clottey fell short of a victory against then-WBO welterweight champion, Miguel Cotto (34-2, 27 KOs), whom Pacquiao dethroned via 12th-round knockout in November.
“I just thought Clottey was the right fight. In many people’s eyes, Clottey beat Cotto. He’s a very tough opponent, and he’s never been in a bad fight. He’s someone who’s willing to stand in there with me and fight me,” said Pacquiao.
“He’s a strong guy, he’s a tough guy, he’s very quick and he doesn’t give up,” said Pacquiao. “That’s going to be something that I will have to overcome.”
Pacquiao has done pretty much exactly that since hooking up with trainer Freddie Roach, who guided him to a title during their first bout together in June of 2001.
