Floyd Mayweather Blasts Manny Pacquiao, Says Filipino Rival is All Hype
The reigning pound-for-pound king Floyd Mayweather Jr. fired some criticisms against the Filipino boxing icon Manny Pacquiao saying "Pacman" was just all hype.
Mayweather (48-0, 26 KOs), the undefeated boxing champion, who triumphed over the Philippine pride on May 2 at the MGM Grand Arena, per ESPN, told Showtime that Pacquiao never really reached his level, Boxing Scene reported.
"I believe that the public believes no one can beat me. At one particular time I think they believed there was a fighter who could beat me. You must realize this - the media, the critics, the people built that kid up to put him on my level. Once again, there will never be a fighter on my level - because you have to be able to go where I go, mentally," the 38-year-old fighter said.
"The Money" thinks that no one can be like him because of how he thinks. This year's highest-paid athlete shares that the secret of his successful career is because he thinks "outside the box."
Perhaps, what truly boosted Mayweather's morale against "Pacman" was how all judges favored him that night. To defeat a high-caliber fighter like Pacquiao is a great feat for Mayweather. Yet, to say that the first and still the only one boxer in the world to sport belts from eight different weight divisions as someone who was just "built" by media, may be going too far.
Even the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, dubbed "The Greatest," was rooting for Pacquiao to win against Mayweather, Ali's daughter, Rasheda Ali, told TMZ.
"My dad is Team Pacquiao all the way! My dad really likes Manny. He's a huge fan of his," Rasheda said.
Pacquiao will win in a rematch
Freddie Roach, who trains Pacquiao, is confident that their camp will bring home the honor if the two of the greatest fighters of their generation face each other again.
"Manny would do much better in a rematch, if the shoulder gets better. We were doing well until the shoulder went in the fourth round and we had a tough time after that. I do think we can beat Mayweather 100 percent," Roach told Boxing News.
According to CNN News, "Pacman" sustained a shoulder injury while training for the Mayweather-Pacquiao megafight. For his fans, this unfortunate injury may be the cause why he lacked the usual aggressive combinations he is known for.
However, with Mayweather retiring after his farewell fight with Andre Berto, Pacquiao might not be able to avenge his loss. Still, the Filipino champ may always choose to move on and face other boxers worthy of his time and stature.
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