emirates man
apr/may 2015
| FEATURE | MANNY PACQUIAO
YOU AIN’T SO BAD
72
As Pacquiao prepares for Mayweather with sparring partners who talk trash, here are some of our favourite lines
FREDDIE ROACH (Pacquiao’s coach) “I hear his personal chef is on $1,000 a plate. I hope he knows how to make soft food, ’cos that’s all he’ll be eating after facing Manny.” On Floyd Mayweather Jr
MANNY: A LIFE IN PICTURES Top left: Manny during his fight with Chris Algieri in November 2014. Top right: Manny has won more than 50 fights during his career. Left: A teenage Manny at the LM Gym in Manila
FLOYD MAYWEATHER SR (Mayweather’s coach) “Nobody knows what you’re saying [Roach] anyway. I know Manny sure as hell don’t know. Manny don’t know if you’re talking about boxing or about taking a walk in the store.” On retaliation to Roach
EDDIE SHAW (boxing coach) “He has turned defensive boxing into a poetic art. Trouble is, nobody ever knocked anybody out with a poem.” On Herol ‘Bomber’ Graham
“Floyd’s definitely been ducking the fight all these
years,” says Tyson. “As world champion you should want to fight the best people out there, to know that you’re the best, Floyd hasn’t done that. One thing I know for sure is that he’s going to get hit harder and more often by Manny than in any fight he’s had before.” It’s an opinion that puts Tyson firmly in the minor-
ity, despite the titles, natural ability, speed and pas- sion that Pacquiao brings to the table. Most think that Mayweather’s defence is just too good, even for a rabid puncher like Pacquiao. On the other side of the coin, Mayweather is the
man with everything to lose. Get whupped on May 2 and that’s how his career might just be remembered – despite all that preceded it. It’s a risk from a guy who rarely takes them and despite the fact that both are a little passed their prime it’s why this fight is so damn exciting. It’s career defining for the only two superstars left in boxing. “I’m realistic,” says Pacquiao. “I know that retire- ment isn’t far away, but I’ve always believed I can win
this fight, and I still do. There’s no getting away from the fact that Floyd is an exceptional fighter, but we have a plan and tactics that we think can defeat him. It would be the pinnacle of my career, for sure, but also the pinnacle for him too, if he wins.” As the sport’s biggest names and finest minds argue
long into the night over who will end the evening with his arm raised aloft, all we can do is wait and wonder. News leaks from each camp on a daily basis – Floyd’s batter- ing his sparring partners, Manny’s never looked sharper or moved faster. Mayweather rarely gets hit, Pacquiao rarely stops punching. While this fight might not offer the promise it would have done five years ago, it could well be the last of its type and makes it essential viewing, whether you like boxing or not. “The passion is still there,” says Pacquiao. “I’ve
wanted this fight for so long, even my kids want me to fight him – and while the hunger is still there, I will fight.” It seems that, despite the fame and riches, the street
kid from GenSan City hasn’t really changed that much at all. Pacquiao knows how to survive, at all costs.
BLACKIE SHRROD (American columnist) “He has everything a boxer needs except speed, stamina, a punch, and ability to take punishment. In other words, he owns a pair of shorts.” On an unnamed heavyweight contender
MUHAMMAD ALI “I’ll beat him so bad he’ll need a shoehorn to put his hat on.” On Floyd Patterson
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94