lpinoy
11-04-2010, 08:02 PM
By;ESB
BOB ARUM: We are getting ready to move the operation to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Manny and Tony have had great work in training. You have had the opportunity to see them working out either in person or on HBO on 24/7. I want to commend both fighters for the wonderful way they have handled everything in this promotion and I particularly want to commend Manny Pacquiao, the Congressman from Sarangani province, who took the time Friday night to help with the re-election of Senator Harry Reid. Manny, I would just like to say that Senator Reid and all the people in Nevada are really grateful for your help in mobilizing the final votes which led to Senator Reid’s victory. Without further adieu, I would like to introduce the seven-division world champion, seeking his eighth title, Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao..
MANNY PACQUIAO: Hello Bob. Good morning to everybody and than you Bob.
FREDDIE ROACH: In the Philippines we had a pretty good training camp. It wasn’t our best. We did miss one day for the president but that is unusual. Comparative-wise we have never had a bad training camp. He is in great shape and since we have been here in the States at the Wild Card he has been running the mountains to the Hollywood sign and so-forth. Everything is on track now and we are 100% ready for the fight. Manny told me he will not disappoint me and I know that’s true I expect great things. He sparred nine rounds yesterday with three different opponents and did very well and we are starting to taper back now, cutting back each day and saving it for the fight at this moment.
**This Sunday Manny Pacquiao will be featured on 60 minutes (7 p.m. ET/PT on CBS).
Do you believe this was a good training camp?
MANNY PACQUIAO: For the early part of the camp, not the last three weeks in the Philippines, it was not as good and Freddie was not happy. That is why I am trying my best now to get in great shape and to work and that’s what I did. Freddie was very happy when I got back here and he saw my condition especially during sparring and there is no problem.
Freddie is worried about me and I understand that. We had a good training camp this time.
Can you tell us your feelings on an eighth title?
MANNY PACQUIAO: This is why I do my best in training this time. This is going to be another record in boxing and I have to be in great condition to win. We consider this a very important fight in my whole career.
Margarito is sort of a villain in this fight. Does that help sell the fight?
FREDDIE ROACH: I’m a professional and I do my job. There will be no tampering with hand-wraps this time. It’s not an issue – it’s in the past. We are past that now. We are fighting on equal terms. It helps the fight in general because of the press and the notoriety of the fight. But it doesn’t change the fight at all; it will be on the up-and-up. Both will be equal in hand-wraps and that’s the way it is.
How do you think ticket sales will go since the World Series. We [Arlington, Texas] have never had a World Series before and it added six extra games…
BOB ARUM: First of all, I would like to congratulate the San Francisco Giants for winning the World Series. The Texas Rangers had a terrific year and I’m sure they’ll be back. I think it’s good that a team the area is as successful as the Texas Rangers. It stimulates interest and drives readers to the sports pages. Unfortunately the Cowboys haven’t been as successful this year as one may have liked. I would love to see the Cowboys with a better record. The response to the ticket sales has been great. We are tracking well ahead of where we were at the Clottey fight and I’m very optimistic. It’s a great area. The ball team in the World Series and the Cowboys trying to right themselves and there are great fans in the North Texas area. I think we will exceed it. The first fight we did 50,000 and change and I think this fight we will exceed it. I think we will do over 60,000.
When you enter the ring, you will be going against the heaviest man you have ever fought…
MANNY PACQUIAO: In our training today we started hard against big guys, taller to give them that advantage. We had plans for this camp to train for him and prepared ourselves with that strategy so we will have no problem with him. We do our best in training. With our strategy, we are not worried about the size. I believe I can fight the bigger guys even though I am small compared to them but we always believe in our talent.
FREDDIE ROACH: The bigger he is the better it is for us. Size doesn’t win fights, skill does and we outweigh them in that department. This will not be a difficult fight for us at all.
What do you think about Robert García and do you think he has a bright future as a trainer?
FREDDIE ROACH: I think he is a very good trainer and he has some good prospects in his camp. I have seen his work. His guys are all good and I think he has a great future.
Does it concern you that Margarito may be more serious in camp while Manny even is the States has had distractions? Is it a concern?
MANNY PACQUIAO: For me it is not a distraction as long as I train hard. You train hard and do your job there is no distraction about that. Of course the focus still is there. Nothing to worry about.
FREDDIE ROACH: I agree with Manny, you see him singing on the Jimmy Kimmel show is very relaxing. Manny likes to sing – he relaxes and he’s always been a multi-tasker. There is no way Margarito has trained harder than us. Manny is in great shape and that will show on the 13th.
Are you thinking about retirement due to political career?
MANNY PACQUIAO: No, the political career has not affected my boxing career.
I have time for politics and I have time for boxing. Right now my focus is still into boxing. Once I get into training there is full focus on the fight so I am ready. No retirement. Not yet. I can still fight.
You had a foot issue in camp…how do you feel? Is all that behind you?
MANNY PACQUIAO: My feeling right now, I am ready. I am excited for the fight on the 13th. Tell the fans there is nothing to worry about. The only worry we have is how to give the fans a good show that are watching on the 13th.
FREDDIE ROACH: We have always had a good training camp and I give this one a “B”. We only missed one day that I was upset about but it was just one day and it probably did more good than harm. We are training hard for the fight and doing all the roadwork. We are doing all the work. We are not taking this fight lightly. Manny knows how to get in shape and he’s done that for this fight.
MANNY PACQUIAO: I am in 100% condition and there is nothing to worry about.
What about the catch weight?
BOR ARUM: Catch-weights have existed in the whole history of boxing. I remember Sugar Ray Leonard winning the light heavyweight championship of the world coming in at 165 – the catch weight was 166. When he and Tommy [Hearns] fought for the super middleweight title the catch weight was 162. This is not something new in boxing. The maximum weight limit for each category is just that, the maximum limit. Fighters all throughout history have agreed to fight at a catch-weight. I don’t think it affects it at all that this is the eighth divisional world title. It is being fought at a weight that is above welterweight, at a maximum weight of 150 lbs; therefore it qualifies as a super welterweight championship fight.
FREDDIE ROACH: This is the second time it has been done. It was just a negotiation for the fight. Both fighters agreed to a contract and the weight. I don’t understand the issue. They are both above 147 for the eighth divisional world title. There is no issue in my mind.
MANNY PACQUIAO: I am just a fighter that trains and I fight in the ring. That is a job for my promoter, Bob Arum, to negotiate what the weight is going to be.
How did the singing come about and how did you choose the John Lennon song, Imagine?
MANNY PACQUIAO: It is a good song, “Imagine.” I was having fun with Will Ferrell, he is a funny guy. When I got there, we practiced twice and that was it.
BOB ARUM: I thought it was very good. I am a huge Beatles fan, they are my favorites. Manny did a wonderful job and it was really something special. To see a fighter sing a song like Lennon’s “Imagine” was great.
FREDDIE ROACH: I thought it was great. I saw it the next morning on the computer. It looked like he was very relaxed and having fun. I didn’t know Will Ferrell was that good a singer and I liked it a lot.
Do you think he will stop Margarito?
FREDDIE ROACH: I think we will overwhelm him with the punches he will land on him with the fast hands and combinations. In eight or nine rounds I think we will break him down. Margarito throws a lot of punches and he makes too many mistakes to beat us. He has bad habits and we are going to take advantage of all of them.
Where do you place Manny in boxing history?
BOB ARUM: I have never promoted a fighter before that has so captivated a country and a people the way Manny has. He is idolized and followed by every Filipino, whether he is in the Philippines or anywhere else around the world. It is a phenomenon like I have never seen before. I promoted 25 Ali fights and other fights for Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and George Foreman, but I have never seen the enthusiasm of a people towards a fighter the way I see the enthusiasm for Manny Pacquiao.
You’ve got to realize that next to the Hispanics, the Filipinos are the largest ethnic group in Nevada. Harry’s victory was a result of tremendous support of both the Hispanic and Filipino community. Manny has to get a lot of credit for his help in backing Senator Reid.
Do you think Margarito needs to win or have a good fight to clear his name?
BOB ARUM: We are getting ready to move the operation to Cowboys Stadium in Arlington, Texas. Manny and Tony have had great work in training. You have had the opportunity to see them working out either in person or on HBO on 24/7. I want to commend both fighters for the wonderful way they have handled everything in this promotion and I particularly want to commend Manny Pacquiao, the Congressman from Sarangani province, who took the time Friday night to help with the re-election of Senator Harry Reid. Manny, I would just like to say that Senator Reid and all the people in Nevada are really grateful for your help in mobilizing the final votes which led to Senator Reid’s victory. Without further adieu, I would like to introduce the seven-division world champion, seeking his eighth title, Manny “PacMan” Pacquiao..
MANNY PACQUIAO: Hello Bob. Good morning to everybody and than you Bob.
FREDDIE ROACH: In the Philippines we had a pretty good training camp. It wasn’t our best. We did miss one day for the president but that is unusual. Comparative-wise we have never had a bad training camp. He is in great shape and since we have been here in the States at the Wild Card he has been running the mountains to the Hollywood sign and so-forth. Everything is on track now and we are 100% ready for the fight. Manny told me he will not disappoint me and I know that’s true I expect great things. He sparred nine rounds yesterday with three different opponents and did very well and we are starting to taper back now, cutting back each day and saving it for the fight at this moment.
**This Sunday Manny Pacquiao will be featured on 60 minutes (7 p.m. ET/PT on CBS).
Do you believe this was a good training camp?
MANNY PACQUIAO: For the early part of the camp, not the last three weeks in the Philippines, it was not as good and Freddie was not happy. That is why I am trying my best now to get in great shape and to work and that’s what I did. Freddie was very happy when I got back here and he saw my condition especially during sparring and there is no problem.
Freddie is worried about me and I understand that. We had a good training camp this time.
Can you tell us your feelings on an eighth title?
MANNY PACQUIAO: This is why I do my best in training this time. This is going to be another record in boxing and I have to be in great condition to win. We consider this a very important fight in my whole career.
Margarito is sort of a villain in this fight. Does that help sell the fight?
FREDDIE ROACH: I’m a professional and I do my job. There will be no tampering with hand-wraps this time. It’s not an issue – it’s in the past. We are past that now. We are fighting on equal terms. It helps the fight in general because of the press and the notoriety of the fight. But it doesn’t change the fight at all; it will be on the up-and-up. Both will be equal in hand-wraps and that’s the way it is.
How do you think ticket sales will go since the World Series. We [Arlington, Texas] have never had a World Series before and it added six extra games…
BOB ARUM: First of all, I would like to congratulate the San Francisco Giants for winning the World Series. The Texas Rangers had a terrific year and I’m sure they’ll be back. I think it’s good that a team the area is as successful as the Texas Rangers. It stimulates interest and drives readers to the sports pages. Unfortunately the Cowboys haven’t been as successful this year as one may have liked. I would love to see the Cowboys with a better record. The response to the ticket sales has been great. We are tracking well ahead of where we were at the Clottey fight and I’m very optimistic. It’s a great area. The ball team in the World Series and the Cowboys trying to right themselves and there are great fans in the North Texas area. I think we will exceed it. The first fight we did 50,000 and change and I think this fight we will exceed it. I think we will do over 60,000.
When you enter the ring, you will be going against the heaviest man you have ever fought…
MANNY PACQUIAO: In our training today we started hard against big guys, taller to give them that advantage. We had plans for this camp to train for him and prepared ourselves with that strategy so we will have no problem with him. We do our best in training. With our strategy, we are not worried about the size. I believe I can fight the bigger guys even though I am small compared to them but we always believe in our talent.
FREDDIE ROACH: The bigger he is the better it is for us. Size doesn’t win fights, skill does and we outweigh them in that department. This will not be a difficult fight for us at all.
What do you think about Robert García and do you think he has a bright future as a trainer?
FREDDIE ROACH: I think he is a very good trainer and he has some good prospects in his camp. I have seen his work. His guys are all good and I think he has a great future.
Does it concern you that Margarito may be more serious in camp while Manny even is the States has had distractions? Is it a concern?
MANNY PACQUIAO: For me it is not a distraction as long as I train hard. You train hard and do your job there is no distraction about that. Of course the focus still is there. Nothing to worry about.
FREDDIE ROACH: I agree with Manny, you see him singing on the Jimmy Kimmel show is very relaxing. Manny likes to sing – he relaxes and he’s always been a multi-tasker. There is no way Margarito has trained harder than us. Manny is in great shape and that will show on the 13th.
Are you thinking about retirement due to political career?
MANNY PACQUIAO: No, the political career has not affected my boxing career.
I have time for politics and I have time for boxing. Right now my focus is still into boxing. Once I get into training there is full focus on the fight so I am ready. No retirement. Not yet. I can still fight.
You had a foot issue in camp…how do you feel? Is all that behind you?
MANNY PACQUIAO: My feeling right now, I am ready. I am excited for the fight on the 13th. Tell the fans there is nothing to worry about. The only worry we have is how to give the fans a good show that are watching on the 13th.
FREDDIE ROACH: We have always had a good training camp and I give this one a “B”. We only missed one day that I was upset about but it was just one day and it probably did more good than harm. We are training hard for the fight and doing all the roadwork. We are doing all the work. We are not taking this fight lightly. Manny knows how to get in shape and he’s done that for this fight.
MANNY PACQUIAO: I am in 100% condition and there is nothing to worry about.
What about the catch weight?
BOR ARUM: Catch-weights have existed in the whole history of boxing. I remember Sugar Ray Leonard winning the light heavyweight championship of the world coming in at 165 – the catch weight was 166. When he and Tommy [Hearns] fought for the super middleweight title the catch weight was 162. This is not something new in boxing. The maximum weight limit for each category is just that, the maximum limit. Fighters all throughout history have agreed to fight at a catch-weight. I don’t think it affects it at all that this is the eighth divisional world title. It is being fought at a weight that is above welterweight, at a maximum weight of 150 lbs; therefore it qualifies as a super welterweight championship fight.
FREDDIE ROACH: This is the second time it has been done. It was just a negotiation for the fight. Both fighters agreed to a contract and the weight. I don’t understand the issue. They are both above 147 for the eighth divisional world title. There is no issue in my mind.
MANNY PACQUIAO: I am just a fighter that trains and I fight in the ring. That is a job for my promoter, Bob Arum, to negotiate what the weight is going to be.
How did the singing come about and how did you choose the John Lennon song, Imagine?
MANNY PACQUIAO: It is a good song, “Imagine.” I was having fun with Will Ferrell, he is a funny guy. When I got there, we practiced twice and that was it.
BOB ARUM: I thought it was very good. I am a huge Beatles fan, they are my favorites. Manny did a wonderful job and it was really something special. To see a fighter sing a song like Lennon’s “Imagine” was great.
FREDDIE ROACH: I thought it was great. I saw it the next morning on the computer. It looked like he was very relaxed and having fun. I didn’t know Will Ferrell was that good a singer and I liked it a lot.
Do you think he will stop Margarito?
FREDDIE ROACH: I think we will overwhelm him with the punches he will land on him with the fast hands and combinations. In eight or nine rounds I think we will break him down. Margarito throws a lot of punches and he makes too many mistakes to beat us. He has bad habits and we are going to take advantage of all of them.
Where do you place Manny in boxing history?
BOB ARUM: I have never promoted a fighter before that has so captivated a country and a people the way Manny has. He is idolized and followed by every Filipino, whether he is in the Philippines or anywhere else around the world. It is a phenomenon like I have never seen before. I promoted 25 Ali fights and other fights for Sugar Ray Leonard, Marvin Hagler and George Foreman, but I have never seen the enthusiasm of a people towards a fighter the way I see the enthusiasm for Manny Pacquiao.
You’ve got to realize that next to the Hispanics, the Filipinos are the largest ethnic group in Nevada. Harry’s victory was a result of tremendous support of both the Hispanic and Filipino community. Manny has to get a lot of credit for his help in backing Senator Reid.
Do you think Margarito needs to win or have a good fight to clear his name?