Shane Mosley. Antonio Margarito. Floyd Mayweather Jr.
“They all have chances of facing me. Anything is possible,” said Manny Pacquiao of these three great boxers who may be next in line for the Filipino pound-for-pound champion.
Pacquiao is set to face Ricky Hatton on May 2 in Las Vegas. He’s not actually looking past the British light-welterweight champion, but couldn’t avoid questions on his next fights.
“Hatton is a big challenge for me because he’s also a good boxer,” Pacquiao told sportswriters Friday evening at the Manila’s Harbour View.
“And I don’t consider Hatton as a stepping stone to anyone. But he’s a big challenge for me. We fight the same way that’s why I have to be ready. I have to train as hard or even harder than for Oscar dela Hoya,” he said.
Pacquiao is set to leave for Los Angeles on Feb. 24, then will proceed to England for a couple of days of press tours with Hatton. Also on tap are visits to a few major cities in the United States.
Pacquiao will receive a coveted award from the Philippine Sportswriters Association on Feb. 20 and two days after he will throw a big baptismal party for their baby girl, Queen Elizabeth.
Training starts at the Wild Card Gym under Freddie Roach on March 1.
Pacquiao was at his usual self when he faced the scribes – cool, calm and soft-spoken. He refused to be carried into a word war with Hatton’s trainer Floyd Mayweather Sr.
The flamboyant trainer predicted that Hatton should beat Pacquiao at the MGM Grand Arena, and carry the pound-for-pound title back to England. He said Pacquiao could be out in the first round if he comes in.
“I’m not even mad at him. He’s also a good trainer and I respect him for being the father of Floyd (Jr.) and as a trainer,” he said.
Pacquiao was asked who’s the better trainer – Roach or Mayweather.
“Of course Freddie is the better trainer. Can I say otherwise? He has proven a lot by helping me win four titles in different weight classes starting from the flyweight division,” he said.