Pacquiao: I’m happy to be back

MANILA, Philippines - Manny Pacquiao was back in the limelight drumming up his coming fight against the younger, taller and hungrier Brandon Rios.

“I’m happy to be back in boxing,” Pacquiao said yesterday during a press conference at the over-sized Venetian Resort and Hotel in Macau.

He should be happy because it’s been seven long months since he last fought and lost to Juan Manuel Marquez at the MGM in Las Vegas.

On Nov. 24, the Filipino star returns to action against Rios in a fight dubbed as “The Clash in Cotai.”

It will be Pacquiao’s first fight outside the United States in nearly seven years. He can’t afford to lose this one following two straight losses, including one against Tim Bradley.

“It’s a big opportunity to fight here in Macau. It’s very close to the Philippines so I expect more Filipinos than Mexicans to watch the fight,” he said.

Pacquiao is going all out in Macau, which is Asia’s gambling capital, because another loss could mean the end of the road.

But he was quick to guarantee a great fight for the world to see.

“It’s going to be a good fight because Rios loves to fight toe-to-toe. He loves action in the ring,” said the fighting congressman, who will turn 35 in December.

His trainer, Freddie Roach, said, “I’m looking forward to getting back to work with Manny. We’ll be back on top soon.”

Pacquiao, the only boxer to win world titles in eight different weight classes, arrived in Macau the other day with his wife Jinkee, now the Vice-Governor of Sarangani.

For the press conference, Pacquiao wore a dark suit and a Hermes belt. He dropped his smile when he stood face to face with Rios.

Neither fighter smiled during the staredown.

Rios, the former world lightweight champion from Oxnard in California, came in casuals. He didn’t look like he was intimidated at all but admitted that he was nervous.

“I’m very nervous. This is my first big show. I’m not nervous about the fight but being in front of all you people,” he said facing the crowd.

“But I’ll be ready, a hundred percent mentally and physically ready. On Nov. 24 you’re going to see a new superstar rise,” he said.

“Everybody who said I’m a punching bag will see Brandon Rios win,” Rios added.

While he’d been to a few good fights, Rios has never fought at this stage. He is guaranteed millions of dollars and more to come if he wins.

“We’re here to prove that Brandon is the next superstar,” said Robert Garcia, who trains the 27-year-old Rios, at 5’9” a couple of inches taller than Pacquiao.

Chief promoter Bob Arum promised a big fight. Helping him out on stage was George Foreman, the former heavyweight champion.

“Nobody punches like Pacquiao in the (welterweight) division, and nobody takes a punch like Brandon Rios,” said the great boxer nicknamed “Big George.”

From Macau, the two boxers will embark on an extensive press tour with stops in Beijing, Shanghai, Singapore, New York and Los Angeles until Aug. 8.

Arum said tickets will be out starting tomorrow. 

“We are going to sell out the arena,” said Arum, the world’s greatest salesman.