Manny Pacquiao was once considered the best pound for pound fighter in professional boxing. Now he is trying to show the boxing world he can still fight at age 34.
Pacquiao, who is coming off two straight defeats for the first time in his professional career, will be fighting a younger, hungry fighter Brandon “Bam Bam” Rios in Macau (People’s Republic of China) on Nov. 23. The two had a press conference in Chinatown on Tuesday as the first stop in the U.S. for the 23,722-mile international tour.
Pacquiao hasn’t fought since last December when he was knocked out by rival by Juan Manuel Marquez in the sixth round.
Some questioned his fighting ability after the bout was over, but Pac-Man felt that he was in tip top shape when it was time to put the gloves on.
“My condition was amazing,” he said. “My condition at the time was one of the best in my career and it just happened that Marquez gave me a good shot, but if we watch the fight again it was one of the best conditions I was in.”
Rios hasn’t faced anyone big yet, but his record speaks for itself. He is 31-1 with 23 knockouts and that doesn’t go unnoticed and Pacquiao feels that Rios is going to give him a good challenge.
“I chose Rios because I know he is a good fighter and I know he can give a good fight and that there will be a lot of action in the ring and I know that it’s going to be a tough battle.”
Pacquiao has had a lot on his plate outside the ring as well. He was elected congressman in the Philippines in 2010 for the district of Sarangani, but contends that role doesn’t detract from his boxing career.
“I still focus on being in the ring,” he said. “I am able to do both and have shown I can do both, so it doesn’t distract me in any way.”
Rios isn’t showing any signs of being scared of a legend.
“It’s not if I beat Pacquiao, it’s when I beat Pacquiao,” he said. “Everyone is talking about (Floyd) Mayweather and Pacquiao and it’s not going to happen because I am going to stop it and put an end to the talk.”
Rios, however, feels honored Pacquiao chose him for the fight and is thankful for the opportunity to fight one of the all-time greats.
“It means a lot,” said the 27-year-old from Lubbock, Texas. “I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a longest time and now I get to face Pacquiao and I am not going to let it slide through my fingers. I going to work hard in the gym and be in the best shape of my life.”