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Pacquiao: Mayweather’s ‘cocky,’ Marquez landed ‘lucky punch’

Fighters Network
18
Jul

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During a recent interview with ANC, the English news channel of Filipino TV station ABS-CBN, Manny Pacquiao called Floyd Mayweather Jr. “cocky, boastful,” and claimed that Juan Manuel Marquez landed a “lucky punch” during their fight in December.

“For us, Mayweather is cocky, boastful,” said Pacquiao, who turns 35 in December and whose differences with Mayweather over random drug testing contributed to failed negotiations for a megabout between the two.



“I can prove to him I can still win. I lost to Marquez but it’s just a lucky punch, just part of the game. I was not dominated. If he wants to fight, let’s fight.”

In Macau on Nov. 23 (Nov. 24 in China), Pacquiao (54-5-2, 38 knockouts) will face rising junior welterweight Brandon Rios (31-1-1, 23 KOs), who is coming off a close unanimous-decision loss in a rematch with Mike Alvarado.

Pacquiao will attempt to rebound from consecutive losses: a split-decision to WBO beltholder Tim Bradley last June and the sixth-round KO loss to Marquez, against whom Pacquiao was 2-0-1 coming into their last meeting.

According to Pacquiao’s advisor, Michael Koncz, the fighter will begin formal preparations with five-time Trainer of The year Freddie Roach in General Santos City, Philippines, as early as later this month.

Mayweather (44-0, 26 KOs), meanwhile, has a Showtime Pay Per View-televised clash with RING 154-pound champion and Mexican star Saul “Canelo” Alvarez (42-0-1, 30 KOs) on Sept. 14.

Translated by Flar Penalosa and Ryan Songalia.

Photo by Stacey Verbeek

Lem Satterfield can be reached at [email protected]