In a telephone interview with FanHouse, Manny Pacquiao, widely regarded as the best pound-for-pound boxer in the world, talked about his dominant win over Oscar De La Hoya, his upcoming fight with Ricky Hatton (Saturday, May 2 live on HBO pay-per-view) and what it's like to be the biggest star in the Philippines.
Michael David Smith: We're a few months removed from your fight with Oscar De La Hoya. When you look back on that fight, are you surprised at how thoroughly you dominated him?
Manny Pacquiao: Well, before the fight I believed, of course, I was going to beat Oscar -- but not in an easy fight like that. I am surprised that it was an easy fight.
Most people consider you the best boxer in the world. Do you consider yourself the best boxer in the world?
I don't want to think about that, whether I'm the best in the world. I want to focus on my career and give a good show in my fight with Ricky Hatton.
The person who was considered the best boxer in the world before you was Floyd Mayweather Jr. Do you think Floyd is really retired, or will we see him in the ring again?
I think he's going to fight again. He's not really retired.
Do you think you will fight him some day?
That's possible. Maybe after this fight. I heard from Floyd Jr.'s camp that he's coming back to the ring.
So people around Floyd have told you that you should expect him to return?
Yes, that's what I heard from the people around Floyd, that he's not really retired.
Do you think he would want a tune-up fight against an easier opponent or would he jump right in and fight you if you beat Ricky Hatton?
For me -- if I'm Floyd -- I would fight a tune-up fight and then fight me. That's for me, but I don't know what his plan is. He might want to fight me right away.
Obviously, before you can fight Floyd you'll need to beat Ricky Hatton. What kind of challenge does Ricky Hatton pose to you?
Ricky Hatton is a strong fighter, a good fighter. He's the top guy, and he's never lost at 140 pounds. I would never underestimate Hatton. I consider this fight the toughest fight of my career. I'm not looking past this fight.
Pacquiao-Hatton Photos
HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 30: Trainer Freddie Roach, professional boxer Manny Pacquiao, professional boxer Ricky Hatton and trainer Floyd Mayweather attend "The Battle of East and West", a promotion for the May 2, 2009 World Junior Welterweight Championship boxing match held at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 30, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Freddie Roach;Manny Pacquiao;Ricky Hatton;Floyd Mayweather
Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 30: Trainer Freddie Roach, professional boxer Manny Pacquiao, professional boxer Ricky Hatton and trainer Floyd Mayweather attend "The Battle of East and West", a promotion for the May 2, 2009 World Junior Welterweight Championship boxing match held at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 30, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Freddie Roach;Manny Pacquiao;Ricky Hatton;Floyd Mayweather
Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 30: Professional boxer Manny Pacquiao, actor Mickey Rourke and professional boxer Ricky Hatton attend "The Battle of East and West", a promotion for the May 2, 2009 World Junior Welterweight Championship boxing match held at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 30, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Pacquiao;Mickey Rourke;Ricky Hatton
Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 30: Professional boxer Manny Pacquiao and professional boxer Ricky Hatton attend "The Battle of East and West", a promotion for the May 2, 2009 World Junior Welterweight Championship boxing match held at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 30, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Pacquiao;Ricky Hatton
Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 30: Professional boxer Ricky Hatton and professional boxer Manny Pcquiao attend "The Battle of East and West", a promotion for the May 2, 2009 World Junior Welterweight Championship boxing match held at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 30, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ricky Hatton;Manny Pacquiao
Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 30: Professional boxer Manny Pacquiao attends "The Battle of East and West", a promotion for the May 2, 2009 World Junior Welterweight Championship boxing match held at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 30, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Pacquiao
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HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 30: Trainer Floyd Mayweather and professional boxer Ricky Hatton attend "The Battle of East and West", a promotion for the May 2, 2009 World Junior Welterweight Championship boxing match held at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 30, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Floyd Mayweather;Ricky Hatton
Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 30: Professional boxer Manny Pacquiao and professional boxer Ricky Hatton attend "The Battle of East and West", a promotion for the May 2, 2009 World Junior Welterweight Championship boxing match held at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 30, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Manny Pacquiao;Ricky Hatton
Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 30: Trainer Floyd Mayweather and professional boxer Ricky Hatton attend "The Battle of East and West", a promotion for the May 2, 2009 World Junior Welterweight Championship boxing match held at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 30, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Floyd Mayweather;Ricky Hatton
Getty Images
HOLLYWOOD - MARCH 30: Trainer Floyd Mayweather and professional boxer Ricky Hatton attend "The Battle of East and West", a promotion for the May 2, 2009 World Junior Welterweight Championship boxing match held at the Roosevelt Hotel on March 30, 2009 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Floyd Mayweather;Ricky Hatton
Getty Images
Have you watched a lot of tape of Hatton's fights to prepare?
Yes, I've watched his last few fights. I study every opponent I fight, and as I train for Hatton I look for certain techniques that I can apply to this fight.
You've fought everywhere from strawweight (106 pounds) at the start of your professional career to welterweight (147 pounds) against De La Hoya. What do you think is the ideal weight class for you?
I'm comfortable at 140 pounds. I weigh 148 right now.
You're the most popular athlete in the Philippines, but is there a down side to your fame? Do you wish you could just walk down the street and be left alone?
I wish I could. I wish I could. But that would never happen. Especially right now. I can't walk down the street in the Philippines.
You're 30 years old, you've been boxing professionally since you were 16, and you have 53 professional fights under your belt. How much longer will you box?
I don't want to fight much longer. I'm planning right now to retire soon.
What will you do after you retire?
My plan is to run for office.
I know you've run for office in the past as well. What is it about politics that appeals to you?
I want to run for office because I want to help people. I grew up in poverty, and I want to see other people have better lives. I think I can improve the situation for a lot of people.
I've heard that you are recording your own entrance music, and against Hatton you'll come out to a song that you sing yourself.
Yes, I have a new album and I'm going to use my song as my ring entrance on May 2.
Will you get more involved in music when you retire from boxing?
Yes. I love to sing. I'd like to have a concert soon after my boxing career ends.
What would you like fans to know about you?
Just that they should watch my upcoming fight on May 2 against Ricky Hatton. It's going to be a great, great fight, a once in a lifetime fight.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
4-01-2009 @ 9:41AM
mike said...
Pacquiao is amazing. He could still be fighting at 125 pounds if he wanted to, but I'd pick him to beat anyone but Mayweather at any weight under 150.
Reply
4-02-2009 @ 3:19AM
ciscolet said...
Have you seen new Miley Cyrus home-made video? It's AWESOME! I've seen it here: http://tinyurl.com/cf9amt http://dwarfurl.com/8cb86
4-01-2009 @ 9:52AM
mrski560 said...
what a great fight this going to be i love ricky hatton but manny is the best pond for pound , as far as mayweather hes great too but always sliding and dodging using his speed to EVADE getting hit manny can slide and dodge too but i love his attack , these fights are awesome for the sport i cant wait to see them !
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4-01-2009 @ 10:54AM
EL POKERATOR said...
rise and fall filipino has to go
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 11:57AM
chris C said...
if boxing is truly a world sport now, why not see the boxer, not his this or that? Move up your game a notch and move past this or that into pure game.
4-01-2009 @ 12:26PM
r1pugh said...
Great fighter-won't beat Mayweather-will fail miserably as a singer and a politician.
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 1:27PM
SPODITUCKER said...
All I will say is Hatton has his work cut out for him and as for Mayweather I don't believe he is going to fight again.
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4-01-2009 @ 2:31PM
Rich Cantwell said...
This post is strictly hype. Manny will knock out Hatton early. As for Floyd, he could probably beat both guys the same night.
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4-01-2009 @ 2:48PM
big blue said...
Thats why they determine the fight IN THE RING. Not by what people or YOU think.
4-01-2009 @ 6:31PM
totoordonez said...
i tell u something, u need to cut manny pacquiao's heart b4 u can beat him! he fight with his heart and soul and his countrymen!
Reply
4-01-2009 @ 10:06PM
MANG RESTY said...
By saying that Floyd needs to have a tune up fight before facing MP-it is short of saying that Floyd is incapable of beating him--Cheers!!! for being humble as always!! That's why people from www.pacfans-corner.com really supports you all the way!
MABUHEY!
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4-01-2009 @ 10:47PM
hangloosejd said...
Give Manny his dues, he is a great fighter. The Philippines NEEDS Pacquiao in more ways then just this fight. President reagan once said of the Philippines that "it is a country of 40 million cowards", and if you ever spent time here you would agree. They get taken by everyone without even a whimper. They just roll over and get run over by their corrupt politicians, police, military, even the churches.
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4-01-2009 @ 10:58PM
da94555 said...
I like both Hatton & Floyd but both are no match for Paquiao. This dude is in his prime right now and no one can stop him.
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4-01-2009 @ 11:06PM
jon said...
Something has to give. Manny is wonderfull but he has allready lost to 120 pounders. Against Oscar Manny gets little points because I beleive Oscar is a pimp and a sell-out. So a victory over Oscar is an indication of nothing. Manny may be in a little trouble with Mayweather and Hatten. If he beats them both though we may be looking at the best ever.
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4-01-2009 @ 11:56PM
Dennis said...
hatton's already done! bring on mayweather! the only chance you'll have to beat manny is if you run for public office in the philippines. he's even ahead of you in being a singer and an actor.
Reply
4-02-2009 @ 1:34AM
portorican said...
Pacquiao vs Mayweather to me is a definite toss up. If you look at Pacquiao/DelaHoya and how Manny dominated that fight and compare it to Mayweather/De la Hoya, though there was no doubt Floyd easily won that fight he wasn't nearly as dominating as Manny was. I know it doesn't necessarily mean anything how much better one fighter may dominate a common opponent than the other, but I do believe if Manny beats up Ricky as easily or easier than Floyd did,he should be able to squeak one out against Floyd. But what a show it'll be!!!
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4-02-2009 @ 5:06AM
Hana said...
Manny is Truly a great Champion. My Wife and I just saw his Resort on the Coast of Boracay, it is BEAUTIFUL
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4-02-2009 @ 8:07AM
ianpogi said...
Floyd is not retired, just retard!!!
Reply
4-02-2009 @ 3:06PM
autumn24555 said...
david itskowitz(the cco of golden gloves)is the biggest evil person in the world. he is a horrible person. Women and girls(he likes the young ones)not that i'm old but ya know he is the most horrible person. his lawyer daddy got him his job. he use to work with diablo ent. in nyc . we met, dated, then he left me when was diagnosed with breast cancer. it was caught early and am fine now, but he is a devil. stay away from him girls. he's the devil and the only reason he got that gig is his daddy. and just so all you boxing fans know, it's allllllll fake. they know who wins before it happens. if you don't know that , shew then u stupid. i heard all kinds of conference calls with the bosses and dave. it's all about the money like everything. but for him to just walk away from me the way he did was really a devil . it'll come bak to you dave. yes it will .it will and worse.
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4-02-2009 @ 3:10PM
autumn24555 said...
david itskowitz (coo of golden gloves) is the devil. he is a horrible person. his lawyer daddy got him his job there. aww. your time will come and it will come back to you harder than what you did to me you devil.
Reply