Mayweather: I'm the ‘only mega-superstar’
MANILA –Floyd Mayweather, Jr. is set to reclaim the virtual pound-for-pound king title from Manny Pacquiao as he returns to the ring on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) for his clash against Mexican Juan Manuel Marquez.
Mayweather, who announced his retirement in 2008, said he has not lost any sharpness, ABS-CBN’s Dyan Castillejo reported.
The undefeated American fighter (39-0, with 25 knockouts) also assured that he will be exactly the way he was before he momentarily left the sport.
When he retired, his “mythical crown” of being the best pound-for-pound fighter in the world was passed to Pacquiao, said a Reuters article.
Pacquiao was named the Ring Magazine No. 1 pound-for-pound boxer because of his stunning victories over Oscar de la Hoya and Ricky Hatton.
For Mayweather, however, Pacquiao’s second round knockout win over Hatton was not sensational.
“When you look at the tape of when Hatton fought Manny Pacquiao, when Pacquiao hit him he wasn't even looking when he threw the punch. He threw a Hail Mary punch,” he told Reuters.
“I'm not saying Pacquiao's not a good fighter,” he noted. “I'm not saying that I'm the only star in boxing.”
“There are other stars in boxing. But there's only one mega-superstar,” declared Mayweather.
His last match before his 2008 retirement was against Hatton where he defeated the Briton via technical knockout in the 10th round.
“People seem to forget, I fought Ricky Hatton when he was undefeated and I laid down the blueprint for how to beat him,” he commented.
Inevitable
Mayweather will face Marquez in the “Number One/Numero Uno” non-title bout at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Whoever wins the bout on Saturday (Sunday in Manila) is said to be fighting Pacquiao next.
A Pacquiao-Mayweather match has been heavily touted since the American’s coming out of retirement last May. It would be the first time that the “People’s Champ” would face the “Pretty Boy.”
“The Pacman” earlier told the Philippine Star that a fight with Mayweather is inevitable. (www.abs-cbnnews.com/sports/09/15/09/pacquiao-mayweather-showdown-inevitable)
Pacquiao, meanwhile, has fought Marquez (50-4-1, with 37 knockouts) twice. They first clashed in 2004 with their bout ending in a draw.
Their 2008 “Unfinished Business” rematch was won by Pacquiao via split decision. – With reports from The Philippine Star, Dyan Castillejo, ABS-CBN News and Reuters
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“When you look at the tape of when Hatton fought Manny Pacquiao, when Pacquiao hit him he wasn't even looking when he threw the punch." You have put that into your head. There is really something in the hands of Pacman (maybe his third eye) that even your camera cannot detect it, hahahah. Watch out!
one word-FAST
The hands of Pacquiao is just too fast, that even his eyes cannot follow its movements. Thats how dangerous Manny is.
Mayweather camp always insist that Manny fights unscientifically. Thats absolutely wrong. Manny Pacquiao is just really talented with this sport of boxing, his speed along with his power always propel him to victory.
Mayweather Jr is all Big Mouth!
Like Father, Like Son! Big mouth and too much air!
Floyd Mayweather Jr is as airy and talkative as the Sr.
They are excellent for shows.
Floyd is yet to prove if he can come back and win over Marquez.
I think Marquez will give him a lesson of his life.
If he beats Marquez (which I sincerely doubt), that will be his pass to meet Manny Pacquiao.
Then, the war is on.