LAS VEGAS—For Manny Pacquiao, juggling from being religious to being ferocious takes little effort. He can be a preacher before the bout then transform into a fighter once the bell rings.
“I can change the mode,” Pacquiao told the international media at the VIP room of the MGM Grand Tuesday (Wednesday in Manila). “I can switch the button.”
That’s why, Pacquiao finds no conflict in his new spiritual calling with that of boxing. He’ll hurt an opponent, he said, without remorse because it’s what he needs to do. It’s what he’s trained to do for his showdown with Timothy Bradley on Saturday (Sunday in Manila).
“Yeah, I love Bradley,” said Pacquiao. “But we have a job in the ring to do. We have to entertain people because it’s our profession. It’s part of the sport, but there’s nothing personal.”
Similarly, Pacquiao holds no rancor against loudmouth Floyd Mayweather Jr., who is serving an 87-day sentence for domestic violence.
“I’m praying for him,” Pacquiao said. I treat him as my friend, my brother. I am praying that everything with him will be fine.”
Pacquiao, however, admitted that he felt insulted when Mayweather called and offered him a flat payment of $40 million for their eagerly awaited megabuck bout to push through.
“I felt that if I accept it (fight) he’ll be laughing behind my back,” said Pacquiao. “It’s not the proper way to negotiate if you’re a businessman.”
For now, Pacquiao said he’s focused on the Bradley fight that would guarantee him $26 million, plus shares in the pay-per-view and gate receipts.
He’ll consider Mayweather as a possible opponent once he’s done with Bradley.
The projected Pacquiao-Mayweather bout has the potential to be the highest grossing boxing match in history.
source: http://sports.inquirer.net
