Later tonight, inside of the Venetian Resort?s Coati Arena in Macau, China, former eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao and former lightweight titlist Brandon Rios will put to rest months of hard work and anticipation when the lock horns on the final HBO pay per view telecast of 2013.
The interest in the showdown has been steadily building and despite Pacquiao being a heavy favorite in the match, nearly everyone agrees that there will be suspense when the bell rings.
On Thursday and Friday afternoon, inside of the Palazzo Resort in Las Vegas, boxing stars of the past and present assembled to discuss the match. Present for various media duties were Tim Bradley, Marco Antonio Barrera, Mike Alvarado, Roberto Duran, George Foreman, Ray Mancini, and Sugar Ray Leonard.
Still sharp as ever, Leonard took a brief moment to give his thoughts on what he sees as a worthy matchup.
?That?s going to be a very intriguing fight,? Leonard claimed. ?It?s a good matchup. It?s based on what Pacquiao brings to the ring. He?s trying to erase the memory of [Juan Manuel] Marquez.?
Leonard is right in pointing out how Pacquiao?s knockout loss to Marquez this past December may have lingering effects.
More than anything, Leonard feels that everything will come from the mindset Pacquiao carries with him to the ring.
?If he goes in there as Manny Pacquiao, it should be a good fight. [But] if he goes in there as a politician?,? Leonard stated, choosing not finish the sentence while nodding his head.
