MANILA, Philippines – Prior to Thursday’s press conference in Los Angeles to drum up his May 2 showdown with Floyd Mayweather Jr., Manny Pacquiao already sat down with various media outlets for interviews.
Pacquiao was then placed in the spotlight at ESPN’s First Take – hosted by Stephen Smith and Skip Bayless – with Smith grilling him for expressing confidence that he’ll beat Mayweather.
The Filipino icon insisted that he’ll be the first fighter to defeat Mayweather, whom he said doesn’t scare him.
In fact, Pacquiao said the feeling he has right now is nothing compared to the concern he had prior to his bouts with Oscar De La Hoya and Miguel Cotto, who at that time were bigger fighters than him. The General Santos City-based boxer was a heavy underdog against De La Hoya in 2008, but bucked the odds when he forced “The Golden Boy” to quit on his stool after the eighth round.
A year later, he battered Cotto for 12 rounds to force a stoppage, further cementing his legendary status.
Pacquiao pointed out that Mayweather is not a hard puncher like De La Hoya, Cotto and even Antonio Margarito. Neither is Mayweather physically bigger, that’s why Pacquiao isn’t worried.
“In my heart and in my mind, I was more worried when I fought De La Hoya and Cotto than this fight,” said the WBO welterweight champion.
The remark elicited more laughter and mockery from Smith, who obviously was rooting for Mayweather to win over Pacquiao in the fight billed to be the richest ever in boxing history. Pacquiao then started arguing his case.
“Floyd has good hand speed but his legs are not that fast anymore. I have quick hands speed and good footwork. That's my advantage,” he explained.
He said Mayweather’s punching power does not bother him, pointing out that Cotto and Margarito hit harder.
Smith gave Pacquiao a chance to take back those comments, but Pacquiao stood firm.
“No I won’t,” said Pacquiao, smiling.
Smith then pressed Pacquiao if he really thinks Mayweather is a lesser threat than Cotto and Margarito.
“Obviously, 101 percent,” was Pacquiao’s reply.
“I really wanted this fight. To prove that I'm here, Manny Pacquiao, that can easily beat the undefeated,” he continued.
Pacquiao responded to Smith’s taunt by just laughing, evidence that he feels no pressure in facing the best fighter in the planet today.
“Beating Floyd Mayweather is good for boxing. A lot of athletes, when they have success in life, the success goes to their head,” he said.
Pacquiao concluded the interview – set before the press conference at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles – by offering peace to Smith, who obviously still couldn’t believe what he heard throughout the show.
Pacquiao’s day was just beginning.