Stallone: Pacquiao still a great fighter

MANILA, Philippines – Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone remains a huge fan of Manny Pacquiao.

This despite the decline in Pacquiao’s boxing ability, with the Filipino icon being a veteran of many professional fights.

Stallone was at ringside when Pacquiao lost to Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas last year, a bout that ended up as the richest in boxing history.

To the 69-year-old actor, however, Pacquiao remains an elite boxer.

In an interview with Adam Smith and Johnny Nelson of Sky Sports, Stallone once again praised the Filipino fighter.

“I still think Manny Pacquiao is a great, great, great fighter,” he said.

Pacquiao will fight for the last time in April against Timothy Bradley, capping off an illustrious boxing career spanning over 20 years. Along the way, he has captured hearts of many fans, including Stallone’s.

“Pacquiao used to come from like 98 pounds and did whatever he did,” Stallone added, aware of Pacquiao’s boxing feats, spiked by a record eight world titles in as many weight classes.

In the interview, Stallone talked in detail about his latest film “Creed,” for which he has been nominated as Best Supporting Actor at this year’s Academy Awards for his role as Rocky Balboa.

Interestingly, Stallone got an Oscar Best Actor nomination for the same iconic role almost 40 years ago – in 1976, in the first “Rocky” film.

For his work in “Creed”, Stallone already won the Best Supporting Actor plum at the recent Golden Globes.

Notwithstanding Stallone’s success in the film industry, boxing has a special place for the actor’s heart, particularly Pacquiao.