Manny Pacquiao: "I want to continue being an inspiration for fans"

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Boxing legend Manny Pacquiao spoke exclusively to El Comercio about his upcoming fight on Saturday, January 19, against American Adrien Broner for the WBC welterweight title.

By Aldo Cadillo and Víctor Garay

This week, an invitation from FOX Sports Premium (channel that will broadcast the Pacquiao vs. Broner fight on Saturday, January 19) to the El Comercio newsroom to participate in a conference call with Manny Pacquiao. The message surprised us; Crossing words with the multiple world champion in eight different divisions left us as knocked out. But we accept the challenge and climb into the ring. Having the 'Pac-Man' on the other side of the line arrived as the pending Christmas gift. As in a quadrilateral, Manny dodged each of the questions that related him to Mayweather. Although never ruled out a rematch.

                      

Despite all his experience, he declares with the humility of a debutant who only seeks to earn a name in boxing. Pacquiao is a gentleman with or without gloves. Those of us who have had the chance to see it in interviews, fights or documentaries, we attest to that.

Less than a month ago Pacquiao celebrated his 40th birthday in the Philippines. Surrounded by the town, local celebrities and even the president of the nation Rodrigo Duterte, the boxer shared his joy raffling cars and appliances. "I feel stronger and faster, and by the grace of God I'm wiser at 40, I feel like I'm 25," he said through a megaphone. For some there is no greater desire than to cause happiness in others. And for Manny Pacquiao that's his reason to blow out the candles.

Time seems to have stopped for Manny. It does not age and challenges the years by climbing once more into the ring. On Saturday, January 19, in Las Vegas, he takes on Adrien Broner, a perfected fighter in the gym at Floyd Mayweather Jr. At the age when other fighters make exhibitions and earn millions for hitting rookies, 'Pac-Man' exposes the shine of his world title welter AMB to lengthen his mystic wake. And speaks for the first time with a Peruvian media and responds to Total Sports exclusively.

- What do you think about the Mayweather fight in Japan?

It's the first time I saw an exhibition in which you hit your opponent. That is a very easy job. But the exhibitions are like that. It's to entertain people, that's why it was three rounds. I would only fight with someone of my weight or of more size.

- Is it possible that there is a Mayweather vs. Pacquiao II after your fight with Broner?

Now I can not talk about my next fight. I want to make clear that Broner is not any rival. In front I have a good boxer who is very fast. He is also a former champion. After this event I will be able to talk about my future.

The last fight of 'Pac-Man' was on July 15, 2018. The Filipino knocked out Lucas Matthysse.

- But is it in your plans to fight Mayweather?

I have no problems in fighting with any opponent as long as negotiations are carried out. For now I just want to focus on Broner. I am 40 years old and it is complicated to think about future fights. That's why I live them one at a time.